The Edmonton Oilers have an opportunity to punch their ticket into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night, leading the Los Angeles Kings by a 3-1 margin in their series and now holding the home-ice gauntlet. Coming off of a tight, low-scoring win on Sunday, the team is rested and in a great position to close their series out.
Bet on Kings vs. Oilers GM 5
The Oilers are decisive home favourites, coming in between -189 and -215 on the moneyline.
Kings vs. Oilers Best Odds
| Kings Moneyline Odds | +175 @ Proline+ |
| Oilers Moneyline Odds | -189 @ Betano |
| Puckline odds | Kings +1.5 (-139) @ Proline+ Oilers -1.5 (+135) @ TheScore Bet |
| Series odds | Kings +1400, Oilers -3000 @ bet365 |
| Total | Over 6.5 goals (+106) @ FanDuel Under 6.5 goals (-125) @ bet365 |
| Time/Date | May 1, 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports Stream: Sportsnet+ (How to watch the NHL in Canada?) |
Last Matchup
Game Four was the game of the year for some fans, at least if their favourite team was “the under”. To say this was a low-scoring affair was an understatement, with both Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner and Los Angeles’ incoming David Rittich posting fantastic nights in goal. Rittich didn’t have to do much, as the Kings played their defensive system to a tee. Fortunately for the Oilers, a mid-second-period power play was all they needed to break the mould, taking the lead on a nice two-touch passing play leading to an Evan Bouchard “Bouch Bomb”.
After that, not much more happened. The Kings had a couple of bursts, all of which Skinner was happy to prevent, and a third-period Oilers penalty kill was the last real threat to their lead. Ultimately, Skinner stopped all 33 shots, giving his team the victory.
Betting Los Angeles Kings (1-3 SU, 2-2 ATS, 3-1 o/u)
The Kings likely played the best possible version of their preferred game – a tight, smothering defensive structure leading them to a larger share of the counter-attack – and it still didn’t work out for them in Game 4. That has to be demoralizing, perhaps more so than getting blown out. You can argue it just wasn’t your night if you lose by five. If you do everything right and lose 1-0, well, it feels like the hockey world doesn’t want you to win.
It’ll be interesting to see how they respond with their backs against the wall. In the previous two series between these two teams, the Kings folded in their first elimination games.
Betting Edmonton Oilers (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS, 3-1 o/u)
On Edmonton’s end, the feeling is the opposite. There has to be a sense of adrenaline that comes from knowing you can adapt your game to withstand another team’s best, and perhaps more obviously, that Skinner can find his groove between the pipes. Shaking off nine goals conceded in the first two games to allow just one in a pair of games on the road is a hugely positive sign for the team.
With that said, the Oilers will want to open things up Wednesday. Even if they successfully countered the Kings’ best move, 13 shots still isn’t enough to rely on that game plan working multiple times, particularly when your lone goal came on your lone power play.
Projected Kings and Oilers Lines
| Today’s Los Angeles Kings Lines | Today’s Edmonton Oilers Lines |
|---|---|
| Forwards Quinton Byfield – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore – Philip Danault – Viktor Arvidsson Alex Laferriere – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Carl Grundstrom Kevin Fiala – Blake Lizotte – Trevor Lewis Defence Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty Vladislav Gavrikov – Matt Roy Andreas Englund – Jordan Spence Starting In Goal David Rittich PO: 0-1-0, 1.02 GAA, 0.923 SV% Season: 13-6-3, 2.15, 0.921 SV% | Forwards Adam Henrique – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Leon Draisaitl – Evander Kane Warren Foegele – Ryan McLeod – Corey Perry Dylan Holloway – Sam Carrick – Mattias Janmark Defence Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard Darnell Nurse – Cody Ceci Brett Kulak – Vincent Desharnais Starting In Goal Stuart Skinner PO: 3-0-1, 2.48 GAA, 0.919 SV% Season: 29-14-5, 2.73 GAA, 0.914 SV% |
There doesn’t seem to be much change expected in either team’s plans Wednesday. Los Angeles might maintain their swap of Carl Grundstrom and Kevin Fiala’s spots in the bottom six, and Rittich has probably earned another go despite the loss. Edmonton has no reason to shift up their roster.
Adrian Kempe (LA) to get a point
Kings vs. Oilers Injury Concerns
Both teams remain effectively healthy in this one – or at least, healthy enough that everyone available can play through whatever they’re feeling. These moments are few and far between in the spring, so let’s enjoy them while we can!
NHL Betting Trends
- The Oilers are 8-2 in their last 10 games against the Kings, dating back to April 2023. The puckline has favoured the Oilers in six of those games, and the total goals line has been split between five overs and five unders.
- Los Angeles are split down the middle over their own last 10 games, going 5-5 straight-up, against the puckline, and along the total goals line.
- The Oilers are in a similar boat, with a 5-5 record straight-up and along the total goals line, and a 4-6 record against the puckline.
NHL Player Prop Trends
- Adrian Kempe has been the offensive heartbeat of the Kings down the stretch. In their last 10 games, he leads the team in goals (six), points (11), and shots on goal (33). Phillip Danault and Anze Kopitar share the assists lead, with six apiece.
- Flying under the radar for Los Angeles is Viktor Arvidsson, who is second in goals (four), assists (five), points (nine), and shots (30) in that stretch. While he might not be the leader of any particular recent stat, he’ll still be a threat.
- In Edmonton’s last 10 games, Zach Hyman leads the team with goals (eight), Connor McDavid leads the team in assists (10), and McDavid and Leon Draisaitl share the points lead (12). Their shots-on-goal leader is Warren Foegele, with 38 in his last 10. That’s a lot of spread-out options.
Kings vs. Oilers Predictions
- I think the Oilers open this back up. Once again, a 1-0 win is nice, but it’s not something you can rely on, particularly when you get about a quarter of the game’s shots. Home ice will give them last change and a better bench position, and that little bit of extra energy. Going with the over burned us last game, but I’d go back to the well anyway – FanDuel is your best value on over 6.5 at +106. If you want a bit of push protection, over 6 is available at Pinnacle at -115.
- Look to Adrian Kempe to get at least one point for the Kings tonight. He’s been their top goal-scorer and point-getter in this series, and his underlying shot metrics have him getting about two-thirds of the control at 5v5. As one of the few Los Angeles players tilting the ice, they’ll be relying on him. Your best value for a point will be at -188 on Fanduel, and your best value for a goal will also be on Fanduel at +210.
- I think this series ends Wednesday. The Oilers have closed out the Kings without issue twice already, they completely stole their home ice, they now have it themselves, and they’ve yet to lose in regulation in this series. Grab them at -189 on Betano.
