It is indeed a little bit of history repeating. If Oilers faithful feel as though they’ve seen this movie before, they have. That said, all was well that ended well last spring when Edmonton fought back not only to tie the series 1-1 but win it outright 4-3.

The NHL odds view Edmonton as a good bet to get back on the horse, as they place -256 on the moneyline, with LA sitting at +204. The total for tonight is set at 6.5.

Kings vs. Oilers NHL Playoffs Betting Odds

LA’s early lead has not dissuaded Vegas from changing its tune as to who should come out on top when all the dust is settled, although the Oilers are currently -154 on the series odds, so not mega favourites either.

Of note, the last time the Kings won a playoff series was, incidentally, when they hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2014. Since then they were eliminated in Round 1 in 2016, 2018, and of course last year by these same Oilers. As such, while leading the series 1-0 courtesy of stealing a game on the road is all fine and dandy, recent history doesn’t exactly favour the franchise.

As we’ve already established, trailing a series on home ice after a single game is no big deal for this generation of Oilers. In fact, it’s happened three times in recent memory. 2017 against the Sharks in the first round, and twice last year in both the first and second rounds (to Calgary). In all three instances, they lived to play a future series. They were swept in the conference final last year, but we digress.

Los Angeles Kings

If Game 1 taught (or reminded) fans and pundits of anything, it’s that LA won’t go down quietly, and sometimes won’t go down at all. Their effort on Monday night truly represented snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Calamity struck early when Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard scored about six minutes apart for a 2-0 deficit, much to the satisfaction of an electrified Edmontonian crowd. In our preview of Game 1 we highlighted how special teams could be the difference maker in this series. The proof was in the pudding on Monday night, with Los Angeles being the more disciplined team. Bouchard’s marker was a power play goal, but it came on only one of three penalties taken by the Kings. Joonas Korpisalo’s playoff experience, albeit limited, proved critical. He held the fort as LA stormed back in the third with goals from Adrian Kempe (twice) and Anze Kopitar with 17 seconds left.

Edmonton Oilers

This one definitely got away from the Oilers. Game 1 was a case of the hosts not playing a full 60 minutes of sound hockey. Give a team an inch, especially at this time of year and against solid opposition, and there is a price to pay.

It felt like the Oilers of the first few months of the regular season. There were a lot of contests back then when Edmonton would perform at a beguiling pace in the opening stanza, only to take their foot off the gas pedal and allow rivals to get back into the game, sometimes even win. The playoffs are the worst possible time to commit that sort of error. Momentum is a fickle thing and can change on a dime. Up 2-0 heading into the third, few would have said that Edmonton completely dominated the contest, but they were certainly the better team. And then the Kings got one back and the stress levels rose. Lest it is forgotten that LA has the fourth-best powerplay in the NHL this year. Not only was the game-tying score on the man advantage but so was the overtime winner from Alex Iafallo. Discipline, discipline, discipline.

Game 2 Prediction: Who Will Win Kings vs. Oilers?

KINGS

Away

3

OILERS

Home

4

Score
Predictions

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