by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 17, 2025
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Saturday, October 18, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Hurricanes -130, Kings +110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Hurricanes -130, Kings +110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Hurricanes -135, Kings +110; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Carolina Hurricanes: 4-0-0 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 1-3-1 (6th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Carolina Hurricanes: 4-0-0 last 4
Los Angeles Kings: 1-3-1 last 5
Carolina Hurricanes vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Hurricanes are entering this game with 8 points, a 4-0-0 record overall, and they are 2-0-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, winning that one on the road 4-1. Seth Jarvis led the team in goals scored with 2 while Sebastian Aho and Alexander Nikishin each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Shayne Gostisbehere led the team in assists with 3 while Seth Jarvis led the team in shots on net in that game with 7. Frederik Andersen was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 24 shots with 23 saves and a .958 save percentage. Their offense has scored 19 goals this season averaging 4.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 8 goals against them allowing 2 goals per game.
The Kings are entering this game with 3 points, a 1-3-1 record overall, and they are 0-2-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, losing that one at home 4-2. Kevin Fiala and Warren Foegele each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Cody Ceci, Joel Armia, Quinton Byfield, and Trevor Moore each led the team in assists with 1 while Quinton Byfield led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Anton Forsberg was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 25 shots with 22 saves and a .880 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 14 goals this season averaging 2.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 20 goals against them allowing 4 goals per game.
Hurricanes vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Hurricanes listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Hurricanes have looked great in their games this season with their 4-0-0 record overall which has them right at the top of the Metro Division. They have looked great in their road games too with their 2-0-0 road record and their offense has been rolling in their games. Meanwhile, the Kings haven't looked good in their games this season with their 1-3-1 record overall which has them lower in the Pacific Division to start the season. They haven't looked great on home ice either with their 0-2-0 home record this year. They are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Penguins in their last one and their offense has been really up and down to start the season. Not only have they not been scoring a lot of goals, their defense has also been terrible as they are averaging 4 goals allowed per game. Their starting goalie is injured now too so this isn't a great situation for a slow starting Kings team who is about to face the only undefeated team left in the NHL. The Hurricanes are going to put pucks in the net here while the Kings struggle against this Canes defense that has been really good. The best way to place a bet here is on the Hurricanes to win this game.
Hurricanes Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Saturday, October 18, 2025 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Hurricanes 3 Kings 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Carolina Hurricanes: 74-35 (+8.2 units) on the moneyline against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game. 26-10 (+5.6 units) on the moneyline against terrible teams - outscored by opponents by 0.5+ goals/game. 24-11 (+3.9 units) on the moneyline against poor starting goalies - saving 89.5% of shots against or less. 28-19 UNDER after allowing 1 goal or less in their previous game.
Los Angeles Kings: 95-84 (-18.7 units) on the moneyline in all games. 17-29 (-9.4 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 to +150. 43-46 (-10.1 units) on the moneyline against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game. 38-26 UNDER in non-conference games.
Key Injuries
Carolina Hurricanes: J. Slavin (D) Out - Lower-body. P. Kochetkov (G) Out - Lower-Body.
Los Angeles Kings: D. Kuemper (G) Day To Day - Lower-body. A. Kopitar (C) Day To Day - Undisclosed. C. Perry (RW) Out - Knee. K. Burroughs (D) Out - Upper Body.
Notable Quotes
"They all count the same this time of year. You've got to get off to a good start, which we have, so it's nice to get those points in the bank." - Rod Brind’Amour after his team’s win against the Ducks in their game on Thursday.
“It was a really nice goal, and probably the key part of that goal was Armia. As he came to the blue line, he pulled the puck in and just delayed enough, allowed himself to create a little space and time to get the puck over to Byfield, who made a great pass, of course, to Kevin at the back post.” - Jim Hiller after his team’s loss against the Penguins in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Carolina Hurricanes
LW Nikolaj Ehlers
C Sebastian Aho
RW Seth Jarvis
LD K'Andre Miller
RD Sean Walker
G Brandon Bussi
Los Angeles Kings
LW Andrei Kuzmenko
C Phillip Danault
RW Adrian Kempe
LD Brian Dumoulin
RD Drew Doughty
G Anton Forsberg
Statistical Leaders
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: Seth Jarvis (7)
Goals: Seth Jarvis (5)
Assists: Shayne Gostisbehere (6)
GAA: Brandon Bussi (1.00)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: Quinton Byfield (5)
Goals: Kevin Fiala (3)
Assists: Anze Kopitar (4)
GAA: Darcy Kuemper (3.35)
Coaches:
Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour (8th season)
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
