Online Betting OverviewThe Los Angeles Kings seem to be following a familiar pattern from year to year. Just when the March Madness betting starts to get underway, the Kings are fighting for their playoff lives. At the beginning of the last few seasons, the Kings have started out strong. By March, Los Angeles is clinging to slim playoff hopes and then by the time the end of the season rolls around the Kings are completely out of the race. It has been frustrating because Los Angeles has made the necessary investments to get better. The Kings retained star goaltender Jonathan Quick and brought in Mike Richards from the Philadelphia Flyers to improve the offense. But yet the Kings are clinging to slim playoff hopes and the team is trying to put together a winning streak that will get it into the top eight in the Western Conference.
The Chicago Blackhawks have had more ups and downs than a world class roller coaster this season. While the Blackhawks are 3-6-1 in its last 10 games, the pay per head sports experts are quick to point out that the Blackhawks are on a three-game winning streak. But that record also means that, prior to the three-game winning streak, the Blackhawks had gone at least seven in a row with a loss. The Blackhawks also started the season strong, but the team’s inconsistency has cost it points and position in the standings. Now Chicago is just trying to maintain itself so that it can make the post season.
Los Angeles Kings
It is hard to understand why a team with players like Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick can have so many problems winning hockey games. But a bodog review of the Kings’ last 10 games shows a record of 4-5-1 and current two-game losing streak. The Kings play a solid defensive game but it just cannot put the puck in the net consistently. The lack of offense is what has been killing the Kings all season and it is something that should not be happening considering the firepower that is on the Los Angeles roster.
Chicago Blackhawks
The NHL trade deadline 2012 is fast approach, but Chicago fans are not expecting much movement by the team. What the Blackhawks need is defensive help, but to get that Chicago would have to give up some of its offense. Without the offense, Chicago does not win hockey games. Goaltender Corey Crawford has been under siege all season long and the effects are finally starting to show. The Blackhawks need to start playing some team defense or it will be a short playoff run in April.
The Bottom Line
The Los Angeles Kings have the upper-hand in defense for this game and the Blackhawks have the upper-hand in offense. The Blackhawks play its worst defense on the road, and that is not a good sign for this game.
Sports Betting blog Pick: Los Angeles Kings
