The NHL’s Best Offense Takes The Stage | Kings vs Oilers | OSB
Kings at Oilers: Game 1
By Sam Batz
The Los Angeles Kings face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday, April 17th (10:00 PM EST, ESPN). The Oilers and Kings faced each other 4 times during the regular season, and split the series 2-2-0. Edmonton is a -1.5 goal favorite, with a moneyline priced at -200. Los Angeles is a +1.5 goal underdog, with a moneyline priced at +165. Game 1 will be played in Edmonton, where the Oilers won 56.1% of the time during the regular season.
The Los Angeles Kings (+165)
The LA Kings went 47-25-10 (104 pts) this year, finishing 3rd in the Pacific, 5th in the Western Conference, and 10th in the NHL. The Kings are back in the playoffs for the second straight season, but lost in the First Round to the Oilers last year. Los Angeles now gets a shot at revenge, as they are facing the Oilers once again in the First Round. The Kings can’t keep up with Edmonton offensively, and will need to play tough physical defense, without drawing penalties, if they want to win the series and move past the First Round for the first time since 2014. If LA can limit Edmonton’s chances and make the most of their Power Play opportunities, then the Kings could shock the Oilers.
The Edmonton Oilers (-200)
The Oilers had a great season, posting a 50-23-9 record (109 pts) and leading the NHL in goals for (325). The Oilers have this year’s top candidate for MVP in Connor McDavid, as well as a solid lineup surrounding him, allowing McDavid to move more freely around the ice. He will be difficult to contain, especially for an LA defense that allowed over 3 goals against per game. Edmonton are favored to win the series over the Kings for the second consecutive postseason, but the Oilers must play a patient game and prevent chances for LA by not rushing to generate offense. Edmonton knows no one can keep up with them offensively, so if they slow it down, play disciplined defense, and lean on Connor McDavid, the Oilers will win this series.
Kings vs. Oilers Opening Odds
Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Kings | +1.5 (-176) | Ov 6.5 (-110) | +165 |
Edmonton Oilers | -1.5 (+145) | Un 6.5 (-110) | -200 |
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Kings vs. Oilers: Regular Season Stats
Los Angeles Kings (47-25-10) 104 274 (T-10th) 254 (16th) +20 3.34 (T-10th) 3.10 (16th) 26-11-4 (63.4%) 21-14-6 (51.2%) | Stat Type Pts Total GF Total GA G Diff GF/GP GA/GP Home (Win-rate) Away (Win-rate) | Edmonton Oilers (50-23-9) 109 325 (1st) 256 (17th) +69 3.96 (1st) 3.12 (17th) 23-12-6 (56.1%) 27-11-3 (65.9%) |
Kings vs. Oilers: Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings 44-38 25-16 (Away) 28-22 (vs. West) 41-35-6 4-6 20-18-3 (as Underdogs) 13-13-4 (Underdogs Away) | Betting Trend ATS (Season) ATS (Home/Away) ATS (Conference) O/U (Season) O/U (Last 10) ML (Favorite/Underdog) ML (Home/Away) | Edmonton Oilers 46-36 22-19 (Home) 29-21 (vs. West) 49-26-7 3-5-2 37-16-9 (as Favorites) 20-11-6 (Favorites Home) |
Kings vs. Oilers: Game Changers
Los Angeles Kings
- Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) and played in all 82 games this season
- Kevin Fiala leads the Kings in assists (49) and trails Kopitar with 72 points (23 goals, 49 assists). Fiala played just 69 games this season
- Adrian Kempe leads the Kings with 41 goals and is third with 67 points (41 goals, 26 assists)
- Phoenix Copley will likely start between the sticks for the Kings. He is 24-6-3 (T-15th) and averages 2.64 GA/G (13th)
Edmonton Oilers
- Arguably the best offense in the NHL, the Oilers have three players who recorded 100+ points this season (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, & Ryan Nugent-Hopkins)
- Connor McDavid is this years likely MVP, and leads both the Oilers and the NHL with an incredible 153 points (1st), off 64 goals (1st), and 89 assists (1st)
- Leon Draisaitl has the 2nd-most points in the NHL with 128 (2nd) off 52 goals (4th) and 76 assists (T-3rd)
- Goaltender Stuart Skinner will likely start for the Oilers in Game 1. He is 29-14-5 (10th) and averages 2.75 GA/G (18th)
Kings vs. Oilers Prediction
Take the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 over the Kings. The Oilers are all about offense, notching the most goals (325) of any team this season. The Kings defense just isn’t designed to deal with such explosive offensive power, and LA will struggle to keep Edmonton away from their goal. The Oilers went 2-2-0 against the Kings during the regular season, so this series will by no means be one-sided, but for Game 1, I predict Connor McDavid and company will come out with a lot of energy. The Oilers will score early and often, the Kings will struggle to keep pace, and Game 1 will go to Edmonton.
Prediction: Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-200) and the Under (6.5)
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