A trip to the Western Conference semifinals is on the line Saturday as the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings in Game 7 of their first-round series.
The Oilers are -220 favourites on the NHL odds with a total of 6.5 goals.
Kings vs. Oilers NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
One can make an argument that Saturday could be the most important NHL day of the year. Why? There are three Game 7s: Kings-Oilers, Lightning-Leafs and Bruins-Hurricanes. If the Canadian drought to win the Stanley Cup is to end, Saturday will have a big say in that. In addition, there are zero NBA playoff games, so the NHL will have the spotlight to itself.
The most Game 7s in a round is six, set in 1992. The last time the playoffs had four or more Game 7s (which may or may not happen depending on Friday’s results) in the opening round was 2011.
Saturday’s winner will face Calgary or Dallas in the West semifinals – those two were to play Game 6 of their series Friday night. St. Louis and Colorado already are through on the other side of the bracket. To win the West, Edmonton is +654 and Los Angeles +2700.
The road team is 8-3 in the past 11 meetings.
Los Angeles Kings
Saturday will mark the first time since April 30, 2014, that three Game 7s will be contested on the same day. Los Angeles is looking to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2014. Kudos to the Kings for rallying from an early 2-0 second-period deficit in Game 6 on goals by Sean Durzi (first of series) and Carl Grundstrom (third) to tie 2-2, but then Edmonton took control late in the third period to win 4-2.
Jonathan Quick allowed three goals on 33 shots and certainly will be in there again Saturday. Quick leads the Kings in all-time games played (19) and wins (10) among goaltenders in potential series-clinching contests. Only Marc-Andre Fleury of the since-eliminated Wild has more wins in clinching games among active netminders. Los Angeles is 7-4 all-time in Game 7s and has won its past four.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid was the No. 1 star of Game 6 with a goal and two assists – he got the Oilers a 1-0 lead at 1:40 of the first, and Edmonton is now 11-5 in elimination games when scoring first. McDavid leads all players with 12 points in these playoffs. Evander Kane had two goals, including the clinching empty-netter. His seven goals are third-most in franchise history in one series. Jari Kurri holds the record with a whopping 12 in the 1985 conference finals. Defenceman Tyson Barrie scored the go-ahead goal with 5:10 remaining. He became the first Oilers blueliner to score a game-winning goal when facing elimination since 1998.
Another defenceman, Darnell Nurse, was suspended for Game 6 but will be back Saturday. After a shaky Game 5, Mike Smith stopped 30 of 32 shots. The Oilers are 6-4 in all-time Game 7s, including 3-1 at home.
Game 7 Prediction: Who Will Win Kings vs. Oilers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 13 May 5:48am | LA | -1.5 +114 | U +6.5 -120 |
| Closing 15 May 1:58am | LA | -1.5 +114 | O +6 -109 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Kings Team Leaders
| Points |
67 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
247 |
| Penalty Mins |
97 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.85 |
| Points |
123 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
314 |
| Penalty Mins |
63 |
| Wins |
27 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
33 |
| Penalty Mins |
18 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
3.43 |
| Points |
14 |
| + / - |
10 |
| Shots |
34 |
| Penalty Mins |
16 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.29 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Oilers Team Leaders
| Points |
67 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
247 |
| Penalty Mins |
97 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.85 |
| Points |
123 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
314 |
| Penalty Mins |
63 |
| Wins |
27 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
33 |
| Penalty Mins |
18 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
3.43 |
| Points |
14 |
| + / - |
10 |
| Shots |
34 |
| Penalty Mins |
16 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.29 |
Injuries
Carl Grundstrom (RW)
Viktor Arvidsson (LW)
Alexander Edler (D)
Blake Lizotte (C)
Tobias Bjornfot (D)
Dustin Brown (RW)
Matt Roy (D)
Andreas Athanasiou (LW)
Drew Doughty (D)
Mikey Anderson (D)
Darnell Nurse (D)
Derek Ryan (C)
Darnell Nurse (D)
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
Evander Kane (LW)
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
Josh Archibald (RW)
Mikko Koskinen (G)
Kris Russell (D)
Josh Archibald (RW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Grundstrom (RW) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 07 / 05 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Grundstrom is tending to an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if will face the Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Viktor Arvidsson (LW) | Late May | Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 22 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Arvidsson is out of commission due to a lower-body issue, and he will not lace up until the end of May. |
|||||
| Alexander Edler (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22 | 9-7 | 7-8-1 | + - |
|
Edler has missed the previous two games with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will be available for Tuesday's battle with the Blackhawks. |
|||||
| Blake Lizotte (C) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 22 | 14-8 | 9-11-2 | + - |
|
Lizotte is out of commission due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Tobias Bjornfot (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 14 / 03 / 22 | 17-12 | 12-15-2 | + - |
|
Bjornfot is idle with a lower-body issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Dustin Brown (RW) | Prob Tues | Upper Body - 13 / 03 / 22 | 17-13 | 13-15-2 | + - |
|
Brown has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body injury, and it is anticipated that he will return against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Matt Roy (D) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 22 | 17-13 | 13-15-2 | + - |
|
Roy has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from a lower-body injury, and he is expected to take on the Oilers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andreas Athanasiou (LW) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 12 / 03 / 22 | 17-13 | 13-15-2 | + - |
|
Athanasiou has been activated from the injured reserve list due to an undefined injury, and it is projected that he will suit up Saturday versus the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| Drew Doughty (D) | out for season | Wrist - 10 / 03 / 22 | 18-13 | 13-16-2 | + - |
|
Doughty has been added to the long-term injured reserve list after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery. |
|||||
| Mikey Anderson (D) | Prob Wed | Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 22 | 19-13 | 13-17-2 | + - |
|
Anderson has been activated from the long-term injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body injury, and he expected to return to the lineup for Wednesday's battle versus the Kraken. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darnell Nurse (D) | Elig Sat | Suspension - 11 / 05 / 22 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Nurse is serving a one-game suspension for headbutting, and he is eligible to return against the Kings in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Derek Ryan (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 09 / 05 / 22 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Ryan is managing an unknown injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Kings. |
|||||
| Darnell Nurse (D) | Prob Mon | Lower Body - 23 / 04 / 22 | 7-6 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Nurse is hampered by a lower-body injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Kings. |
|||||
| Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 22 / 04 / 22 | 7-6 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Puljujarvi has sat out the last three games with a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will he will suit up against the Sharks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Evander Kane (LW) | Prob Wed | Personal - 18 / 04 / 22 | 8-6 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Kane is tending to a personal matter, but he is expected to be active for Wednesday's matchup with the Stars. |
|||||
| Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) | Ques Tues | Illness - 11 / 04 / 22 | 10-7 | 7-10 | + - |
|
Puljujarvi is hindered by a stomach issue, and it has yet to be established if he will be available for Tuesday's clash versus the Wild. |
|||||
| Josh Archibald (RW) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 04 / 04 / 22 | 11-9 | 8-12 | + - |
|
Archibald has been entered in the league's COVID-19 protocol, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Mikko Koskinen (G) | Prob Tues | Illness - 03 / 04 / 22 | 11-10 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Koskinen sat out the previous game with an illness, but it is projected that he will lace up for Tuesday's tilt versus the Sharks. |
|||||
| Kris Russell (D) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 03 / 22 | 12-12 | 12-12 | + - |
|
Russell has been assigned to the league's COVID-19 list, and it is undecided when he will return to the ice. |
|||||
| Josh Archibald (RW) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 22 / 03 / 22 | 15-13 | 15-13 | + - |
|
Archibald has been shuttled to the COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
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LOS ANGELES KINGS
2 -
EDMONTON OILERS
3
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 13 May 5:48am LA -1.5 +114 U +6.5 -120 Closing 15 May 1:58am LA -1.5 +114 O +6 -109 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Kings Team Leaders
Points 67
+ / - 23
Shots 247
Penalty Mins 97
Wins 23
GAA 1.85
Points 123
+ / - 28
Shots 314
Penalty Mins 63
Wins 27
GAA 2.62
Points 6
+ / - 6
Shots 33
Penalty Mins 18
Wins 3
GAA 3.43
Points 14
+ / - 10
Shots 34
Penalty Mins 16
Wins 4
GAA 2.29
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Oilers Team Leaders
Points 67
+ / - 23
Shots 247
Penalty Mins 97
Wins 23
GAA 1.85
Points 123
+ / - 28
Shots 314
Penalty Mins 63
Wins 27
GAA 2.62
Points 6
+ / - 6
Shots 33
Penalty Mins 18
Wins 3
GAA 3.43
Points 14
+ / - 10
Shots 34
Penalty Mins 16
Wins 4
GAA 2.29
-
Injuries
Carl Grundstrom (RW)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 07 / 05 / 22Viktor Arvidsson (LW)
Late May Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 22Alexander Edler (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22Blake Lizotte (C)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 22Tobias Bjornfot (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 14 / 03 / 22Dustin Brown (RW)
Prob Tues Upper Body - 13 / 03 / 22Matt Roy (D)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 22Andreas Athanasiou (LW)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 03 / 22Drew Doughty (D)
out for season Wrist - 10 / 03 / 22Mikey Anderson (D)
Prob Wed Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 22Darnell Nurse (D)
Elig Sat Suspension - 11 / 05 / 22Derek Ryan (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 09 / 05 / 22Darnell Nurse (D)
Prob Mon Lower Body - 23 / 04 / 22Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
Prob Thurs Illness - 22 / 04 / 22Evander Kane (LW)
Prob Wed Personal - 18 / 04 / 22Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
Ques Tues Illness - 11 / 04 / 22Josh Archibald (RW)
Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 04 / 22Mikko Koskinen (G)
Prob Tues Illness - 03 / 04 / 22Kris Russell (D)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 03 / 22Josh Archibald (RW)
Out indefinitely Illness - 22 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Carl Grundstrom (RW) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 07 / 05 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Grundstrom is tending to an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if will face the Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Viktor Arvidsson (LW) Late May Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 22 4-3 3-4 + - Arvidsson is out of commission due to a lower-body issue, and he will not lace up until the end of May.
Alexander Edler (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22 9-7 7-8-1 + - Edler has missed the previous two games with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will be available for Tuesday's battle with the Blackhawks.
Blake Lizotte (C) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 22 14-8 9-11-2 + - Lizotte is out of commission due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Tobias Bjornfot (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 14 / 03 / 22 17-12 12-15-2 + - Bjornfot is idle with a lower-body issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Dustin Brown (RW) Prob Tues Upper Body - 13 / 03 / 22 17-13 13-15-2 + - Brown has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body injury, and it is anticipated that he will return against the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Matt Roy (D) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 22 17-13 13-15-2 + - Roy has been activated from the injured reserve list after recovering from a lower-body injury, and he is expected to take on the Oilers on Thursday.
Andreas Athanasiou (LW) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 03 / 22 17-13 13-15-2 + - Athanasiou has been activated from the injured reserve list due to an undefined injury, and it is projected that he will suit up Saturday versus the Blue Jackets.
Drew Doughty (D) out for season Wrist - 10 / 03 / 22 18-13 13-16-2 + - Doughty has been added to the long-term injured reserve list after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery.
Mikey Anderson (D) Prob Wed Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 22 19-13 13-17-2 + - Anderson has been activated from the long-term injured reserve list after recovering from an upper-body injury, and he expected to return to the lineup for Wednesday's battle versus the Kraken.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Darnell Nurse (D) Elig Sat Suspension - 11 / 05 / 22 2-2 1-3 + - Nurse is serving a one-game suspension for headbutting, and he is eligible to return against the Kings in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Derek Ryan (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 09 / 05 / 22 3-2 2-3 + - Ryan is managing an unknown injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Kings.
Darnell Nurse (D) Prob Mon Lower Body - 23 / 04 / 22 7-6 7-6 + - Nurse is hampered by a lower-body injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Kings.
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) Prob Thurs Illness - 22 / 04 / 22 7-6 7-6 + - Puljujarvi has sat out the last three games with a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will he will suit up against the Sharks on Thursday.
Evander Kane (LW) Prob Wed Personal - 18 / 04 / 22 8-6 7-7 + - Kane is tending to a personal matter, but he is expected to be active for Wednesday's matchup with the Stars.
Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) Ques Tues Illness - 11 / 04 / 22 10-7 7-10 + - Puljujarvi is hindered by a stomach issue, and it has yet to be established if he will be available for Tuesday's clash versus the Wild.
Josh Archibald (RW) Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 04 / 22 11-9 8-12 + - Archibald has been entered in the league's COVID-19 protocol, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Mikko Koskinen (G) Prob Tues Illness - 03 / 04 / 22 11-10 9-12 + - Koskinen sat out the previous game with an illness, but it is projected that he will lace up for Tuesday's tilt versus the Sharks.
Kris Russell (D) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 03 / 22 12-12 12-12 + - Russell has been assigned to the league's COVID-19 list, and it is undecided when he will return to the ice.
Josh Archibald (RW) Out indefinitely Illness - 22 / 03 / 22 15-13 15-13 + - Archibald has been shuttled to the COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.