by Rod Pearson
Saturday, Apr 15, 2023
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Monday, April 17, 2023
Venue: Rogers Place, Rogers Place
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings +155, Oilers -180; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings +155, Oilers -180; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings +155, Oilers -180; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 47-25-10 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
Edmonton Oilers: 50-23-9 (2nd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 5-5-0 last 10
Edmonton Oilers: 9-0-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game finishing the regular season with 104 points, a 47-25-10 record overall, and they were 21-14-6 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-3. Adrian Kempe scored 3 goals for them in that game while Anže Kopitar and Trevor Moore each had 1 goal. Viktor Arvidsson led the team in assists with 3 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 9. Joonas Korpisalo was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 24 shots with 21 saves and a .875 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 280 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 257 goals against them allowing 3.1 goals per game.
The Oilers are entering this game finishing the regular season with 109 points, a 50-23-9 record overall, and they were 23-12-6 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 9 game winning streak with wins coming against the Arizona Coyotes, the Vegas Golden Knights, the LA Kings, the Anaheim Ducks, the Kings again, the Ducks again, the San Jose Sharks, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Sharks again in their last game, winning that one at home 5-2. Mattias Janmark scored 2 goals for them in that one while Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Evander Kane each had 1 goal. Leon Draisaitl led the team in assists with 2 while Connor McDavid led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Stuart Skinner was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 29 shots with 27 saves and a .931 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 325 goals this season averaging 4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 260 goals against them allowing 3.2 goals per game.
Kings vs Oilers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Oilers listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7-game series between the Kings and the Oilers for the 1st round of the NHL Western Conference playoffs. The Oilers finished the regular season with 109 points while the Kings finished the season with 104 points, and this is a rematch of the 1st round of the playoffs last year for these two. The Kings are going to be looking for revenge in this game from last year but they have had their struggles in road games this season, going 21-14-6 in their road games. The Oilers weren't any better in their home games as they were 23-12-6 in home games, but they have also been one of the hottest teams in the NHl coming into the playoffs. They have won 9 games in a row coming into this series and that includes 2 wins against the Kings, 1 home and 1 away, winning both games by 2 goals as they have been steamrolling teams in the West lately. They have been getting ready to make a deep run in the playoffs led by their star Connor McDavid who had an incredible 153 points this season. The Oilers are very hot right now and they are not a team to step in front of playing the way they have been lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Oilers to win this game and on the puckline.
Kings Oilers Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Monday, April 17, 2023 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Oilers 4 Kings 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 46-35 (+7.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 13-5 (+7.5 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 8 or more total goals were scored. 23-14 OVER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 14-8 OVER after a 2 game unbeaten streak.
Edmonton Oilers: 23-18 (-9.1 units) on the moneyline in a home game where the total is 6 or more. 19-15 (-7.4 units) on the moneyline after a win by 2 goals or more. 52-26 OVER in all games. 25-12 OVER in a home game where the total is 6 or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: A. Edler (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. K. Fiala (LW) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. G. Vilardi (RW) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. B. Lizotte (C) Elig Tues - Suspension.
Edmonton Oilers: R. McLeod (C) Early April - Upper Body. R. Murray (D) Late April - Back.
Notable Quotes
“It's nice to have the feeling of positive morale, positive momentum going into (the playoffs). We've found some ways to score goals and had a couple of physical games as well, so that's all been good for us.” - Mikey Anderson after their win against the Ducks in their final game of the regular season.
“We feel good about our game heading into the most important time of the year.” - Connor McDavid after their win against the Sharks in their final game of the regular season.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Byfield, Quinton
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Korpisalo, Joonas
Edmonton Oilers
LW Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan
C McDavid, Connor
RW Hyman, Zach
LD Nurse, Darnell
RD Ceci, Cody
G Skinner, Stuart
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kopitar (74)
Goals: A. Kempe (41)
Assists: K. Fiala (49)
GAA: P. Copley (2.64)
Edmonton Oilers
Points: C. McDavid (153)
Goals: C. McDavid (64)
Assists: C. McDavid (89)
GAA: S. Skinner (2.75)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: Todd McLellan (4th season)
Edmonton Oilers: Jay Woodcroft (2nd season)
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.
