In this article we will formulate an Oilers vs Kings prediction for this NHL game on Friday, April 25th at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Preview
The Edmonton Oilers are down 0-2 in this series and they have really struggled defensively in games one and two. In their game two loss, the Oilers cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. Edmonton recorded 26 shots on goal, won 47.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. The Oilers got goals from Arvidsson and Draisaitl, while Skinner stopped 23 out of 28 shots in the loss.
Prior to this series, the Oilers defeated the Sharks by a score of 3-0, but did lose to the Kings by a score of 5-0 before that. Edmonton has lost three of their last four games and they finished third in the Pacific standings with 101 points. Edmonton has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 23.7% on the power play and 78.2% on the penalty kill this season. Connor McDavid has led Edmonton with one goal, three assists, and five shots on goal, while Draisaitl and Bouchard both have three points. Stuart Skinner is 0-2-0 with a 6.11 goals against average and an .810 save percentage this season.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings are up 2-0 in the series and they are looking for a commanding 3-0 lead with a win here. Los Angeles has won the first two games in this series by scores of 6-5 and 6-2. In their game two win, the Kings led 3-0 in the second period, but they allowed Edmonton to cut the lead to 3-2, before putting the game away for the win. Los Angeles recorded 31 shots on goal, won 52.2% of the face-offs, and went 3-5 on the power play in the game. LA got goals from Byfield, Kempe (2), Kopitar, Kuzmenko, and Clarke, while Kuemper stopped 24 out of 26 shots in the win.
Prior to this series, the Kings lost to the Flames by a score of 5-1, but did beat the Kraken by a score of 6-5 before that. Los Angeles has won six of their last seven games and they finished second in the Pacific standings with 105 points. LA has scored 3.04 goals per game and they have allowed 2.48 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led Los Angeles in the series with three goals, four assists, and 11 shots on goal, while Kopitar and Kuzmenko both have five points. Darcy Kuemper is 2-0-0 with a 3.50 goals against average and an .863 save percentage this series.
Why the Oilers will beat the Kings
- The favorites have won each of the Oilers’ last eight games at Rogers Place.
- The Kings have lost 12 of their last 15 road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games at Rogers Place following a win.
- The Oilers have covered the puck line in four of their last five night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The favorites have won the second period in each of the last eight games between the Kings and Oilers.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Oilers’ last eight games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Kings’ last four games against Pacific Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the last three games between two teams from the Pacific Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last five road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 12 of the Oilers’ last 14 games as home favorites.
Edmonton Oilers Player Prop Facts
- Zach Hyman has scored at least one goal in each of the Oilers’ last four playoff games as home favorites against the Kings.
- Evan Bouchard has recorded an assist in each of the Oilers’ last 10 games as home favorites.
- Evan Bouchard has recorded at least one point in each of the Oilers’ last 10 games as home favorites.
- Leon Draisaitl ranks 1st in the league for Goals (52) this season.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Adrian Kempe has scored a goal in each of the Kings’ last five road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- Adrian Kempe has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances after playing less than 20 minutes in the Kings’ last game.
- Adrian Kempe has recorded at least one point in 13 of his last 14 appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Phillip Danault has scored two goals against the Oilers this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Edmonton Oilers rank 1st in the league for shots per game this season (32.0).
- The Edmonton Oilers rank 1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.24).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.48).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (17.87%).
Oilers vs Kings Prediction
Los Angeles comes into this matchup looking to take a 3-0 lead, but I think this Edmonton offense will get going here. We saw Edmonton’s offense explode in the third period of game one and we saw flashes in game two, but I do think they play a complete game here. Neither team has been very good defensively in the series, but Edmonton has been very good at home this year, as they are 25-13-3 on home ice. On the other side, LA is a completely different team on the road, where they are just 17-19-5. Take the Oilers here.