by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Friday, April 26, 2024
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: TBS, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Oilers -130, Kings +110; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Oilers -130, Kings +110; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Oilers -130, Kings +110; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Edmonton Oilers: 49-27-6 (2nd place, Pacific Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 44-27-11 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Edmonton Oilers: 5-3-2 last 10
Los Angeles Kings: 7-3-0 last 10
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Oilers are entering this game with 104 points, a 49-27-6 record overall, and they were 21-18-2 in their road games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Los Angeles Kings in their last game, losing that one at home 5-4 in overtime. Dylan Holloway led the team in goals scored with 2 while Zach Hyman and Brett Kulak each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Leon Draisaitl and Mattias Janmark each led the team in assists with 2 while Leon Draisaitl led the team in shots on net in that game with 8. Stuart Skinner was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 26 shots with 21 saves and a .808 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 294 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 237 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.
The Kings are entering this game with 99 points, a 44-27-11 record overall, and they were 22-12-7 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Edmonton Oilers in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-4 in OT. Adrian Kempe led the team in goals scored with 2 while Anže Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Kevin Fiala each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Quinton Byfield and Anže Kopitar each led the team in assists with 2 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 7. Cam Talbot was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 31 shots with 27 saves and a .871 save percentage. Their offense has scored 256 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 215 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.
Oilers vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 3 of a 7 game series between the 2nd seeded Oilers and the 3rd seeded Kings from the Central Division for Round 1 of the NHL Western Conference playoffs. This series is all tied up 1-1 after the Kings won game 2 of this series on the road. The Kings fought hard to get game 2 back in this series after losing the 1st game 7-4. They managed to edge the Oilers out in game 2 in overtime with a 5-4 win and so far their offense has looked great in both games of this series. The Oilers have been the better team all season but once again they are in the playoffs and their defense is nowhere to be found. Their offense is producing goals but they have already given up a ton of goals in the first 2 games of this series, and those games were on home ice too. They haven't looked as good in their road games this season with their 21-18-2 road record and it doesn't help that Connor McDavid hasn't been a factor at all in the first 2 games. McDavid was all over the ice in game 1 with 5 assists, but he completely disappeared in game 2 and hasn't found the net himself in either game. The Kings got their job done on the road, stealing a game and flipping the home advantage in the series, now they have the momentum on their side coming back home and they can take advantage of this Oilers defense giving up so many goals with McDavid still being a non-factor in game 2. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Oilers Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, April 26, 2024 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Kings 4 Oilers 3.
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NHL Betting Trends
Edmonton Oilers: 9-14 (-12.6 units) on the moneyline off a close home loss by 1 goal. 9-17 (-20.2 units) on the moneyline after allowing 4 goals or more. 15-18 (-13.2 units) on the moneyline after 1 or more consecutive losses. 13-5 UNDER revenging a loss where the opponent scored 5 or more goals. 5-1 UNDER after losing their previous game in overtime. 15-8 UNDER after playing 2 consecutive home games.
Los Angeles Kings: 16-9 (+8.4 units) on the moneyline after winning their previous game in overtime. 51-39 (+11.9 units) on the moneyline after allowing 4 goals or more. 26-14 (+15.6 units) on the moneyline after a road game where both teams score 3 or more goals. 10-3 UNDER off a win against a division rival. 15-7 UNDER off a road win. 10-3 UNDER after scoring 3 goals or more in 3 straight games.
Key Injuries
Edmonton Oilers: None.
Los Angeles Kings: P. Copley (G) out for season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“I thought we played a good game and had the puck most of the night. They are going to have their looks and their bounces, but I still liked the way we played and hopefully we can build off of that.” - Mattias Ekholm after their loss against the LA Kings in game 2 of this series on Wednesday.
“To see Kopi get that one at the end, great to see the goal go in, but I can tell you for me personally, and I’m sure the guys, just for a guy that’s done as much as he has, to get another overtime game-winning goal was special. One game for them, one game for us and now we go to L.A.” - Jim Hiller after his team’s win against the Oilers in game 2 of this series on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Edmonton Oilers
LW Henrique, Adam
C McDavid, Connor
RW Hyman, Zach
LD Ekholm, Mattias
RD Bouchard, Evan
G Skinner, Stuart
Los Angeles Kings
LW Laferriere, Alex
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Talbot, Cam
Statistical Leaders
Edmonton Oilers
Points: C. McDavid (132)
Goals: Z. Hyman (54)
Assists: C. McDavid (100)
GAA: C. Pickard (2.45)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kempe (75)
Goals: T. Moore (31)
Assists: A. Kempe (47)
GAA: D. Rittich (2.15)
Coaches:
Edmonton Oilers: Kris Knoblauch (1st season)
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
