Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, Picks, and Odds Movement for December 22 2025
Columbus vs Los Angeles picks wrap up the pre-holiday NHL slate late Monday night, and bettors scanning the NHL picks board will find a matchup priced heavily toward structure and defense at Crypto.com Arena.
TLDR - Picks and Prediction
- Spread: Los Angeles -1.5
- Total: Under 5.5
- Projected Final Score: Kings 3, Blue Jackets 1
Odds and Line Movement
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Columbus | +152 |
| Los Angeles | -184 |
Line Movement - Spread
| Date | Columbus | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 12/21 | +168 | -205 |
| 12/21 | +162 | -196 |
| 12/21 | +152 | -184 |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| 12/21 | 5.5 (-124) | 5.5 (+102) |
| 12/21 | 5.5 (-120) | 5.5 (-102) |
| 12/21 | 5.5 (-122) | 5.5 (+100) |
Columbus vs Los Angeles Game Preview and Analysis
Columbus and Los Angeles close out the pre-holiday slate with two teams that have been living on the margins. The Blue Jackets arrive in Southern California having dropped four of their last five games, but three of those losses came by a single goal, including a 4-3 defeat at Anaheim on December 20. That pattern fits the overall Columbus profile this season: volatile offense paired with defensive lapses that make clean separation difficult.
The Kings, meanwhile, continue to lean into their identity. Los Angeles is allowing just 2.50 goals per game while scoring 2.56, a profile that consistently produces tight, low-event contests. Their recent 2-1 win at Tampa Bay on December 18 was another example of a game where structure, puck management, and patience dictated the flow.
This matchup is also influenced heavily by personnel on the back end. Los Angeles is without Darcy Kuemper, who remains on injured reserve after a collision. That absence slightly raises Columbus’ upset equity, but it also pushes the Kings even further into a defensive shell built around limiting high-danger chances. On the Columbus side, the blue line is thin. Zach Werenski is listed day-to-day, and any limitation there significantly impacts the Jackets’ transition game and power-play efficiency. Erik Gudbranson remains out and Mathieu Olivier is on injured reserve, further stressing depth.
From a game-flow standpoint, Los Angeles is unlikely to push pace. The Kings are content to grind shifts, shorten games, and force opponents to execute through layers. That approach has historically worked well against Columbus, especially in this building, where recent head-to-head meetings have consistently stayed tight.
Stats to Know and Betting Trends for Columbus vs Los Angeles
- Los Angeles is allowing 2.50 goals per game this season.
- Columbus is allowing 3.51 goals per game, creating higher variance in outcomes.
- Columbus has lost three of its last five games by exactly one goal.
- Los Angeles has played multiple one-goal games over the last two weeks.
- The home team is 6-0-2 in the last eight meetings between these teams.
Key Injuries and Notes for CBJ and LAK
- Darcy Kuemper remains on injured reserve for Los Angeles.
- Zach Werenski is listed day-to-day for Columbus.
- Erik Gudbranson is out for Columbus.
- Mathieu Olivier remains on injured reserve for Columbus.
Final Score Prediction
This sets up as another controlled Kings performance where defensive structure wins out late.
Final Score: Los Angeles 3, Columbus 1
ATS and Total Picks
- ATS Pick: Los Angeles -1.5
- Total Pick: Under 5.5