The Carolina Hurricanes (1-0-0) and the Los Angeles Kings (0-1-0) meet Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes head west for the start of a 6-game West Coast road trip. Carolina usually has a lengthy road trip to start each season due to the North Carolina State Fair taking place near PNC Arena, using part of the parking lot, while creating tons of traffic.
Carolina does generally open at home, and it did so Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. It wasn’t pretty, but the Hurricanes outlasted the Sens 5-3. There was a lot of undisciplined play, with silly penalties and defensive gaffes, but it was also just game No. 1, too. Those things can be ironed out, and hey, the Canes still won.
The Kings weren’t as fortunate, falling 5-2 on home ice against the Colorado Avalanche. Cam Talbot was snowed under for 4 goals on 36 shots, while the Los Angeles offense could only muster even-strength goals from Carl Grundstrom and Quinton Byfield.