by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Western Conference First Round, Game 5 -- Series tied 2-2
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
Where to watch: ESPN2, Sportsnet, Bally Sports Southern California
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Oilers -225, Kings +190
BetMGM: Oilers -200, Kings +165
Caesars: NL
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Kings - Oilers preview and analysis
The Los Angeles Kings somehow, by some miracle, have evened this series. How the Edmonton Oilers went from putting up a full touchdown and then some to getting shut out in Game 4 might be the biggest head-scratcher that we’ve seen to this point.
The series shifts back to Edmonton for Game 5 and I have to tell you, I have never felt more conflicted in how a Game 5 will go. Even more conflicted than the Toronto-Tampa series, because this one should be over by now and it makes no sense that it isn’t.
Quick made 31 saves and the Kings won their first home playoff game in what seems like forever. Carl Grundstrom scored both goals, and the Kings made it to a best-of-3 with a stellar victory.
"I mean, we played the game that got us to the playoffs," Quick said. "We got pucks deep, we forechecked, blocked shots, (got) pucks to the net and rebounds. We play that way, we can be successful."
There’s nowhere else to go but up after that 8-2 loss in Game 4,
"Obviously, I think everyone in our room was tired of giving up that many goals so, as a whole, I think we tried to lock it down more," Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. "Get back to our identity, being harder to play against, and trying to give up less than we've given up the last couple games."
The Oilers got worn down by playing their top guys too long. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were as worn down after the first and that allowed the depth to take over for the home team.
"Obviously, I think everyone in our room was tired of giving up that many goals so, as a whole, I think we tried to lock it down more," Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. "Get back to our identity, being harder to play against, and trying to give up less than we've given up the last couple games."
"Well, I didn't think we started anywhere near where we needed to start," Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said. "We knew they were going to come with a push, and we didn't weather it very well, or certainly the way we wanted to. It's a missed opportunity for us."
Prediction
I’m feeling the Oilers. Kings will be too aggressive and they should’ve won that Game 2 when they had a chance. Oilers win 5-3
Betting trends
Kings are 10-5 in Game 5s since 1996.
Kings are 16-28 off a win against a division rival over the past three seasons.
Oilers are 11-9 since 1996 when a playoff series is tied.
Oilers are 12-8 off a road loss this season.
Projected lines
Kings:
Andreas Athanasiou -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Dustin Brown
Carl Grundstrom -- Quinton Byfield -- Arthur Kaliyev
Alexander Edler -- Matt Roy
Jacob Moverare -- Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta -- Jordan Spence
Jonathan Quick
Andreas Athanasiou -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Dustin Brown
Carl Grundstrom -- Quinton Byfield -- Arthur Kaliyev
Alexander Edler -- Matt Roy
Jacob Moverare -- Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta -- Jordan Spence
Jonathan Quick
Oilers:
Evander Kane -- Connor McDavid -- Jesse Puljujarvi
Zach Hyman -- Leon Draisaitl -- Kailer Yamamoto
Warren Foegele -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Derek Ryan
Derick Brassard -- Ryan McLeod -- Zack Kassian
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Duncan Keith -- Evan Bouchard
Philip Broberg -- Tyson Barrie
Mike Smith
Evander Kane -- Connor McDavid -- Jesse Puljujarvi
Zach Hyman -- Leon Draisaitl -- Kailer Yamamoto
Warren Foegele -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Derek Ryan
Derick Brassard -- Ryan McLeod -- Zack Kassian
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Duncan Keith -- Evan Bouchard
Philip Broberg -- Tyson Barrie
Mike Smith
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
