Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Los Angeles Kings, Picks and Prediction Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Use Code SSWC Thursday night is packed with NHL action and looking west, we have Penguins vs. Kings predictions and team breakdowns available for you. Pittsburgh (2-2-0, 4 pts) lost a 4-3 tilt at Anaheim on Tuesday night. Los Angeles (1-2-1, 3 pts) fell in a shootout at Minnesota on Monday night, 4-3. These two will get rolling with a 10:00 EST opening faceoff from crypto.com Arena. If you’re looking to cross-check the books and put some cash in your pocket, check out our free NHL picks!
Penguins even things in reverse
After the Penguins opened the season with two straight wins, they balanced things out by dropping two straight as defense went by the wayside. They allowed a combined ten goals in their two losses and versus Anaheim, they let four go in on only 22 shots. The offense got off only 25 shots, and the team committed six penalties in the loss, leading to two of the Ducks’ goals.
Through four games, Pittsburgh is giving up 3.25 goals per game, ranking them 14th in the NHL. The defense has allowed 28.5 shots per game, 13th overall, and the team had 75 hits to their credit. They’ve struggled a bit on the penalty kill, allowing four goals in 15 opportunities. Ryan Shea earned the most time, averaging 21:44 a game to go with a +2. The team has split the games evenly between their two goalies. Tristan Jarry (3.55 GAA) was the starter in Tuesday’s loss, and the team has been alternating their goaltenders since the season opener, which should put Artus Silovs (3.01 GAA) back in the crease. He’ll be looking to make up for the six goals he allowed on Saturday against the Rangers.
On the offensive end, the Penguins rank 21st in the league, averaging 2.75 goals per game. Their 25.8 shots per game rank 24th in the league, and they are 20th overall with a faceoff win percentage of 47.9%. They’ve scored just twice on the power play and do not have a short-handed goal. Evgeni Malkin leads the team in points, all of them assists, and he is tied for second in the league with six helpers. Justin Brazeau has scored in three of four games, and his four goals are the most on the club.
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Injury report
- C Kevin Hayes (upper body) IR
- LW Rutger McGroarty (upper body) IR
- RD Jack St. Ivany (lower body) IR
- G Joel Blomqvist (lower body) IR
Kings cutting things close
The Kings return home after playing their last three on the road and three of their four games have been decided by a goal. They’ve been involved in two shootouts thus far, one of them for win, but the Wild bested them in that effort on Monday, 1-0. It took them quite an effort to even get to that point after trailing 3-0 going into the third period. The Los Angeles offense got off 34 shots in the loss and allowed 26.
The Kings’ offense is tied for the Pens, averaging 2.75 goals a game. They’ve been able to snap off 29.3 shots a night, 15th in the league, and they’ve won 48.4% of their faceoffs. On the power play, they have a 23.1% success rate, scoring three times with the extra man. Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala each have two goals apiece. Anze Kopitar has dished out a team-high four assists, divvying them out one each game so far. Adrian Kempe leads the team with five points: two goals and three assists.
On the defensive end, the team has allowed 3.75 goals per game, eighth most in the NHL. Opponents have been able to average 27.8 shots per game against the Kings, who are second in the league with 117 hits. The penalty kill unit has been abysmal, allowing seven goals in 22 chances. Drew Doughty has a team-high 23:57 time on ice per game average and is one of four players with a +3 on the club. Darcy Kuemper, the expected netminder for this tilt, has been between the pipes in three games thus far and has a 3.35 goals against average.
Injury report
- RW Corey Perry (knee) IR
- RD Kyle Burroughs (upper body) IR
Penguins vs. Kings Picks
Money Line Pick for Penguins vs. Kings
- Penguins +188 (4 units)
The Penguins won both meetings between these two teams last season. Neither side has looked particularly strong to this point, but the Pens looked a bit bitter in ripping off their two early wins. Silova had a shutout in the season opener against New York, so he’s proven capable of propping the team up if needed. Sidney Crosby has been active, with a goal and three assists. This could be a great opportunity for him to notch a few goals or maybe add to his three assists. Los Angeles is allowing their opponent to get nearly 30 shots a night on goal, and the Pens should be able to take advantage enough to get by. The Kings' offense has not been able to match the efforts of their goalies. Pittsburgh is 4-2 in its last six games versus Los Angeles.
Take the Penguins.
Over/Under Pick for Penguins vs. Kings
- Over 5.5 (5 units)
Both of these teams come into this matchup averaging less than three goals per game, but there is still an opportunity for goals in this one. For the Kings, two of their four games this season saw at least six total goals scored, and they’ve scored at least three goals twice. Pittsburgh’s schedule has had three such games thus far, scoring three goals three times. Silova did have a shutout in net for the Pens in the season opener but then followed up by allowing six goals in his next start, so he can be had. Kuemper has an .868 save percentage thus far and the Kings are allowing too many shots for that to be the case. The over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games between these two teams.
Take the over.
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