NHL Predictions: Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks, April 14th

NHL Predictions with Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks

2025-2026 Season Series: LA 3-0 Vancouver

Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, FDSNSC, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia

Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire

The Vancouver Canucks play their final home game of the season against the Stanley Cup Playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles sits at 35-26-19 after 80 games, with 89 points, while Vancouver sits at 24-48-8 after 80 games, with 56 points. This is the fourth and final meeting between the two teams. Los Angeles will look for the season sweep, following a 4-1 victory over the Canucks just five days ago on April 9th.

The Kings Story

L.A. has gone hot at exactly the right time, gaining points in nine of their last ten games and winning five-consecutive games coming into today. Consequently, they have officially clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth as of last night. That means Anze Kopitar will have more games to play before he officially retires. However, they still have a lot to play for, as they could still avoid a matchup against the Presidents’ Trophy winner, the Colorado Avalanche. Currently, they sit one point behind both the Utah Mammoth (first wild-card) and the Anaheim Ducks (third Pacific Division spot). There is a possibility that fate brings the Edmonton Oilers and the LA Kings together for a fifth consecutive first-round playoff matchup.

Adrian Kempe is a big reason for the Kings’ success late in the season. He has scored nine goals in his last eight games. Artemi Panarin continues to produce at above a point-a-game pace since his trade.

The Canucks Story

Wins? In this economy? The Vancouver Canucks have won two-straight games coming into this matchup, which marks the first time they have won consecutive games since December 20th. The vibes are high for the team right now, as they celebrated the first career NHL goal for Curtis Douglas in the last game.

‼️ CURTIS DOUGLAS FIRST @NHL GOAL ALERT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/86P80O4YXv

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 13, 2026

One strange stat, despite the Canucks’ struggles, is that Vancouver has the second-best power-play after the Olympic Break at 32.7%. The biggest contributor to that is Jake DeBrusk. 18 of his 21 goals this season have come on the power play. As streaky as he can be, that is something that the Canucks can work around for next season. For today, all Vancouver wants is to give their fans something to cheer about. A mere ninth home win on the season would be a fine send-off.

Starting Goalies

Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

For Vancouver, Kevin Lankinen should get the start. In 45 games this season, he has a 10-26-5 record, a 3.67 goals-against average, and an .876 save percentage.

Prediction and Best Bets

It is possible that the Kings will breathe a collective sigh of relief and play more loosely now that they have clinched a playoff spot. However, the Kings should still play hard down the stretch so they can face a lesser monster than the Avalanche. The Canucks are playing with no stakes, so they will give the Kings as much as they can handle.

Prediction: Kings win 4-3.

Best Bets

To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For Los Angeles, we will pick Adrian Kempe to score a goal. On the Canucks side, we will pick Jake DeBrusk to pot one.

Main Photo: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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