Oilers vs. Kings Game 3 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds

Edgar Chaput | Updated Apr 25, 2024

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers

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A series that some thought might be over quickly sees the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings locked at 1-1 as they prepare for Game 3 on Friday.

Edmonton
49-27-5-1
AT
April 26, 2024, 10:30 PM ET
Staples Center
Los Angeles
44-27-6-5
Puckline -1.5 +170
Moneyline -145
Over / Under o +4.5
Matchup Odds
Puckline +1.5 -210
Moneyline +120
Over / Under u +4.5
Matchup Odds

It looks as though we have a series after all. After getting punched in the mouth in Game 1 by the Oilers, the Kings fought back to take Game 2 with a 5-4 overtime victory on Wednesday thanks to Anze Kopitar‘s winner. Now the action shifts to the City and Angels, where Game 3 will be played on Friday night.

The NHL Playoff odds think entering enemy territory won’t affect the Oilers, as they’re pegged as -130 moneyline favourites.

Oilers vs. Kings NHL Betting Odds

The odds that Edmonton wins the series are still better than those predicting L.A. (-178 to +145) but it’s tightened a little bit. What hasn’t changed much is the likelihood the Oilers capture the series in five games. It was at +400 heading into Game 2, and has only slightly decreased to +420. A six-game victory for the favoured Oilers has decreased somewhat. It was +290 and is now +320.

Looking at the past two years, the team that won Game 3 has not always gone on to conquer the series. It worked for Edmonton in 2022, although they lost game 4. Conversely, it backfired against the Kings in 2023, who went on to lose the series 4-2.

As of Thursday morning, neither club has injuries serious enough to make public knowledge.

Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid are on heat checks through two games. Hyman has tallied four goals already and McDavid has translated his newfound role as facilitator to the postseason with six apples. For Los Angeles, Adrien Kempe is catching fire with three goals.

Edmonton Oilers

It’s a bit early to panic, but one must confess that through two games, these 2024 Oilers are starting to resemble the 2023 playoff Oilers. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it was a weaker than anticipated side that got bounced out a lot earlier than most had predicted.

Even before this series began, when we wrote our “Why the Edmonton Oilers Will Win the Cup This Season” article, two strengths we highlighted were the improved defence and more confident goaltending. Well, after two home games neither of those things look very good. More perplexing is that they’ve failed to shine against an L.A. squad that isn’t some sort of world beater on the attack. Stuart Skinner‘s save percentage is a lowly .857 and his GA/G is 4.42. 10 players have negative plus-minus figures, including Leon Draisaitl, Codi Ceci, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

They’re getting beat on smart plays by the Kings and the goalie simply isn’t making key stops.

Los Angeles Kings

Now is the time for the Los Angeles Kings to capitalize on a shook Oilers squad. Edmonton is an excellent team, so it’s important to not let this moment pass.

Judging by how Game 1 unfolded, not many thought the rivals would be travelling to California with the series notched at 1-1. But Los Angeles was incredibly aggressive in Game 2, scoring three times in the opening period. Kempe and the team’s second goal was a thing of beauty, a glorious tip in, and Drew Doughty’s marker that made it 3-1 was just hard work. What they need now is for Cam Talbot to make some saves. His save percentage isn’t much better than his opposite number’s (.867). If he can come up with some stops at home while the Kings continue to score timely goals, we may be in for a far more surprising series than most bargained for.

NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Oilers vs. Kings Game 3?

NHL Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • EDM
  • -145 +120
  • LA
Matchup NHL Odds