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San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
The Los Angeles Kings return home looking to rebound from a brutal road trip as they host the league-worst San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET in what should be a get-right spot for a Kings team in urgent need of points.
L.A. dropped three of four on their latest trip and has lost five of its last seven overall, slipping in the Pacific Division standings after a strong start to the season. That said, they’ve already dominated San Jose once this year and now get them at home where the Kings are 11-6-1.
San Jose, meanwhile, continues to spiral. The Sharks have lost six straight, own the worst goal differential in the NHL, and haven’t scored more than two goals in any of their last five games. They’re 4-17-1 on the road and simply can’t keep up against top-tier competition.
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San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Odds
Check the latest NHL odds closer to puck drop to monitor any late movement or goalie news.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks | +222 | +1.5 (-105) | O 6.0 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Kings | -281 | -1.5 (-115) | U 6.0 (-110) |
San Jose Sharks Betting Form
San Jose remains in full rebuild mode, and the on-ice product reflects it. The Sharks rank last in nearly every major category: goals scored, goals allowed, power play, and penalty kill. They’ve lost 15 of their last 18 games and have been outscored 23-7 during their current six-game losing streak.
Scoring has completely dried up. Tomas Hertl and Fabian Zetterlund are generating some chances, but there’s little secondary support. Goaltending has been slightly better in recent weeks, but the lack of structure defensively continues to sink this team early in games.
On the road, San Jose has shown very little. They’ve allowed four or more goals in 11 of their last 13 away from home, and against playoff-caliber teams, the gap is even wider.
For recent trends and breakdowns, check the San Jose Sharks stats and results. For injury updates or lineup shifts, visit the San Jose Sharks injury report.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Form
After a red-hot start, the Kings have hit turbulence. They’ve dropped five of their last seven, including back-to-back losses to teams below them in the standings. Still, their defensive metrics remain strong, and returning home gives them a real chance to recalibrate.
Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala have been steady, but this team’s ceiling depends on production from the middle six. The Kings are built on structure — top-five in shots against and penalty killing — and should control tempo against a Sharks team that rarely puts up sustained pressure.
Goaltending has been streaky, but this is a soft landing spot. If L.A. plays to its identity, this game shouldn’t be close. They’ve outscored San Jose 9-2 in two meetings this season and held them under 25 shots both times.
See more trends in the Los Angeles Kings schedule and stats. Monitor the Los Angeles Kings injury report for goalie confirmation.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Matchup Breakdown
The Kings have advantages across the board:
Possession metrics, special teams, goaltending, and structure. San Jose can’t keep up in any of those categories, and the pace L.A. plays at should overwhelm them in transition and on the cycle.
San Jose’s penalty kill is bottom-three, and L.A.’s power play, while inconsistent, has the pieces to take advantage. If the Kings get out to an early lead — as they often do at home — it’s unlikely the Sharks can claw back.
L.A. has already covered the puck line in both meetings this season. Unless they completely sleepwalk through the first period, they should have no trouble again.
Looking for more matchup analysis like this? Our NHL betting guide breaks down how to bet one-sided games with value still on the board.
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San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Predictions and Best Bets
This is a “don’t overthink it” spot. The Kings are slumping but get the perfect opponent to bounce back. San Jose doesn’t score, doesn’t defend, and struggles even to generate high-danger looks. L.A.’s defensive structure alone should carry them, and if the offense shows up, this could be a rout.
The puck line is playable here despite the price. L.A. has already won by multiple goals twice against the Sharks, and there’s no evidence San Jose can change the script on the road.
If you’re hesitant on the spread, use the Kings in moneyline parlays — or look at first-period markets. This should be Kings wire-to-wire.
Best Bet: Los Angeles Kings -1.5 (-115)
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