New York Islanders vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 3/5/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Fanduel Sports Network West

The New York Islanders (35-21-5) are on their way to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday where they will meet the Los Angeles Kings (24-22-14).

The New York Islanders were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-4 win over the Panthers in their previous game. New York had 6 mins in the box in this contest. The Islanders had a great offensive game plan going into this one and it showed in this win. They also had 1 chance with the advantage but weren't able to notch a goal. In the matchup, they netted 5 of the 26 shots they put on net.

While at even strength, the Islanders have conceded 136 goals while earning 150 on the offensive side of the ice. New York Islanders opponents have amassed 165 power play opportunities (23rd in hockey) and have come away with 31 goals in those chances. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the New York Islanders have racked up 178 goals (20th in the league) this season and have allowed 167. New York has taken 1,670 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.7%. For the current season, they sit with 75 points and their points percentage sits at .615. The Islanders have had 1,707 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .902. New York skates onto the rink with 177 power play chances and they have notched 28 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 15.82%.

The player in the crease for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Over the course of his time in hockey, Sorokin is sitting with 185 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .649. He has a save percentage of .916 during his 13,501 minutes between the pipes. Sorokin has had 8,628 shots against him and has amassed 7,903 saves. Opponents have been able to score 725 goals versus Sorokin in his career and his goals against average is 2.54. He has compiled an overall mark of 147-102-38 and he has gotten the start in 285 games. Sorokin has been in goal for 290 games over the course of his hockey career.

When they took the ice last, Los Angeles played the Avalanche in a matchup where the Kings took the loss by a score of 4-2. The Kings recorded 2 goals out of the 21 shots on goal they attempted. They had 1 power play chance in this contest and converted 1 on that try.

The Kings have accumulated 122 goals at even strength and 29 goals (25th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. Los Angeles has taken 1,644 shots (21st in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.18%, while allowing their opponents 1,646 shots. On the season, the Los Angeles Kings have a total of 151 goals, 62 points, as well as a points percentage of .517. They have allowed 173 goals to be scored by way of 126 goals at even strength and 47 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 173 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 16.76%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 75.26% on their oppositions 190 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 89.5%.

Across the ice you will find Darcy Kuemper in the crease. Kuemper has amassed a career record of 223-158-62 and has been in goal for 476 games. Kuemper's rate of quality starts comes out to 55.8% and he has 254 quality starts in his professional career. He has recorded 12,133 stops out of 13,282 shots taken against him, giving him a rate of .913. Opponents are averaging 2.53 goals per contest and he has yielded 1,149 goals in total. He has started in 455 games and has played for a total of 23,355 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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