The Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5) head to Crypto.com Arena on Monday night looking to leverage their offensive firepower against the defensively sound Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9) in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Despite the Kings winning the regular season series 3-1, Edmonton's dynamic duo of Draisaitl and McDavid will face a formidable challenge in Darcy Kuemper, who posted an impressive 1.05 GAA against the Oilers this season.
Both teams enter the matchup with momentum, having won four of their last five games to close out the regular season.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers matchup, our predictive model gives the Kings a 54.67% chance of defeating the Oilers.
Pre-game probabilities
Los Angeles Kings
Moneyline
Win %
54.67%
45.33%
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings: 54.67% win probability
- Superior defensive record (206 goals against compared to Edmonton's 236)
- Higher position in conference standings (4th vs 6th place)
- Strong recent form with 4 wins in last 5 games (LWWWW)
Edmonton Oilers: 45.33% win probability
- Inconsistent recent form (WLWWW with alternating results)
- Defensive vulnerability (236 goals against, 30 more than LA)
- Lower points total (101 vs LA's 105, despite similar games won)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts.
Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Best NHL sportsbook promos
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers preview
The Kings and Oilers renew their heated Pacific Division rivalry Monday night at Crypto.com Arena in what could be the most intriguing first-round playoff matchup in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles holds a significant edge in head-to-head play this season, having taken three of four regular-season contests while limiting Edmonton's high-powered offense to just a single goal per game.
Darcy Kuemper has been nothing short of brilliant against the Oilers, posting a sterling 1.05 GAA and .960 save percentage in their four meetings, presenting a formidable obstacle for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Despite Edmonton's offensive struggles against LA this year, the Oilers enter with momentum after winning four of their final five regular season games, mirroring the Kings' own strong finish.
The battle between Edmonton's potent power play (23.7%) and Los Angeles' elite penalty kill (second-best in NHL) could ultimately determine which team takes the crucial Game 1 advantage.
While the Kings boast home ice and defensive superiority, the Oilers' championship experience from last year's Western Conference title run gives this opener all the ingredients for playoff drama.
Betting on the NHL?
Sporting Post is your trusted guide for NHL betting. We offer expert NHL predictions, top NHL picks, and the latest NHL odds. Our analysis and real-time insights help you make smart, confident bets. Make sure to use the best sportsbooks, sports betting apps, and betting sites. We've reviewed and tested the best NHL betting sites here.