Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Preview
17 April 2023
The 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on Monday night, and there are some big games on the schedule. The Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings in a Western Conference series opener in what should be a terrific series.
It’s a return to the postseason for the Los Angeles Kings after a long absence, and the veterans on this team are ready. Los Angeles enters the playoffs as a big underdog, and that has taken away any pressure from the team.
Edmonton has been dominant all season long, and they are a team to watch out for during the playoffs. The Oilers do have some expectations attached to them, and it’s up to their stars to find a way to lead them.
The Edmonton Oilers are the moneyline favorites at -191 in the series opener against the Los Angeles Kings.
Kings Must Play Some Defense
If the Los Angeles Kings are going to win this series, then they will have to be terrific on the defensive end of the ice. Los Angeles allowed 3.1 goals against during the regular season, and that’s not going to work in this matchup with the Oilers.
The Kings have shown the ability to score, but trying to beat the Oilers in a back-and-forth showdown is not going to work out. Los Angeles did score on the power play 25 percent of the time during the regular season, and that will be a big key in the postseason.
Experience does tend to matter in the postseason, and the Kings have plenty of players that have won big games in the playoffs.
Oilers Tough to Stop
The Edmonton Oilers scored nearly four goals per game this season, and they are going to be looking to score in this game. Edmonton converted on the power play 32 percent of the time, but they aren’t any easier to stop at full strength.
Connor McDavid led the way with 64 goals and 89 assists this season, and he just continues to do things that haven’t ever been seen before. Leon Draisaitl is another player that can take over a game, and those two players are usually on the ice at the same time.
The Oilers are a team that struggles to get stops from time to time, and that will be a big key in this matchup.
Edmonton Takes Care of Kings
Edmonton is coming into the playoffs with a ton of momentum, and that should give them a pretty big boost on Monday night. The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different game than what takes place during the regular season, but Edmonton is still going to play the same way.
Los Angeles has been a solid offensive team this season, but they are still limited in the amount of offense that they can create. The Kings have also struggled to get stops this season, and that’s going to be a major problem in this one.
Bet the Edmonton Oilers -1.5 as they take care of business in Game 1 and pick up a win by two goals on Monday night.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
