Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Los Angeles Kings are back on the road on Saturday night when they head over to Alberta to face off with the Edmonton Oilers. Both clubs are coming off road games in Winnipeg, with the Kings getting thumped 5-1 last night. Edmonton was in Winnipeg on Thursday, winning 4-3 before travelling home and having Friday off. The Oilers have now won two straight.
With a win on Saturday, Edmonton could potentially sit atop a clustered Pacific Division at night’s end. Edmonton’s yet to find a consistent groove like seasons’ past, but with the way Connor McDavid is playing it feels like a big Oilers run is due; and this is the last thing a struggling L.A. squad should want to deal with, especially on a back-to-back.
Puck drop at Rogers Place goes at 10 p.m. EST with the Oilers a -180 moneyline favourite on the NHL odds board and the over-under at six.
Kings vs. Oilers NHL Betting Odds
Surprisingly enough, Saturday is the first matchup between the Kings and Oilers since their playoff series last spring. Edmonton eliminated L.A. for the fourth consecutive year, and the Oilers have gone 9-4 at home in these past four series’ with the Kings.
Despite last night’s blowout loss, L.A. has been a much better team on the road this season. The Kings’ road record now stands at 11-6-5 this year, which is nearly identical to the Oilers 11-5-3 home record. The over is 14-5 in Oilers home games this season and the winning team in the last four Oilers home games has scored at least five goals. Each of the last three matchups between L.A. and Edmonton has featured a shutout though.
Los Angeles Kings
Darcy Kuemper got the third period off last night after allowing five goals on 16 shots, which could put the Kings’ starting goalie back in line to play again on Saturday. Kuemper has been the best of L.A.’s goalies this season with a .910 save percentage. If it’s not Kuemper in Edmonton, it’ll be Anton Forsberg who has a .901 save percentage.
At 18-15-10 on the season, the Kings have dropped out of a playoff spot in the West. Scoring continues to be a major issue for L.A. who only have to skaters above 25 points thit season. Adrian Kempe’s 34 points leads the team which is a problem when you’re over halfway (43 games) into your season. Kevin Fiala leads the team with 16 goals and prior to last night he had scored in three of L.A.’s four games in January.
Edmonton Oilers
With a point on Saturday, Connor McDavid would set a career-high point streak of 18 games. The Oilers superstar has been on an absolute tear during this 17-game streak, totalling 18 goals and 23 assists for a sum of 41 points. He’s now second in the NHL with 77 points this season. A McDavid goal late in the second period sparked an Oilers comeback win on Thursday too, as Edmonton scored three unanswered to win 4-3 at Winnipeg. Evan Bouchard scored the game-winning goal and now has four points in three games this month.
Connor Ingram is expected to be between the pipes for the Oilers and he’s got a good opportunity to boost up his .891 save percentage in five games with Edmonton so far. Tristan Jarry is now on long-term injured reserve, meaning he’ll be out at least a couple more weeks. The crease should be mainly Ingram’s during this span as he’s already shown to be more trustworthy than Calvin Pickard and his .871 save percentage.
LA
EDM