Oilers vs Kings Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 04-21-25, 08:33 AM

Oilers vs Kings Game 1 predictions from SBR's Connor Cooper:

Kings Moneyline (-118 FanDuel)

"Edmonton has eliminated Los Angeles in each of the last three playoffs, but Kings' fans have reason to believe that the fourth time will be the charm for their bunch. Why? This time, they have home-ice advantage, something they didn’t have in each of the last three playoff meetings. No team had a better record at home this season than L.A.’s 31-6-4 mark, a stark contrast to its 17-19-5 record on the road.

The Kings also couldn’t be catching the Oilers at a better time. Edmonton will be without injured cornerstone defenseman Mattias Ekholm for the entire series, while the status of other regulars like Evander Kane, Trent Frederic, and John Klingberg remains in doubt for Game 1. Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expected to suit up, as is first-line winger Zach Hyman, but all three could be sluggish after missing time down the stretch due to injuries.

Finally, Los Angeles had its way with Edmonton during the regular season, winning three of the four matchups by a combined score of 12-4. Darcy Kuemper posted a clean sheet in each of those last two meetings - both of them earlier this month - and provides the Kings with a significant advantage in net over Stuart Skinner, who has played just twice in the last four weeks after suffering a head injury March 26.

It might feel uncomfortable fading the defending Western Conference champion Oilers in their playoff opener, especially against a team they’ve dominated in recent playoff matchups. However, that’s already factored into the price, preventing oddsmakers from making the Kings as big of a favorite as they probably should be. I still see value in LA at any price under -130, and also like the Kings’ chances of winning this game by multiple goals on the puck line."

Alex Laferriere Over 0.5 points (+175 DraftKings)

"After collecting 20 points in the first two months of the season, L.A.’s young star had his production slow down dramatically. However, h e seems to have regained his scoring prowess in April, closing the campaign with three goals and seven points in his final seven games.

With the offense in high gear (23 goals in its last five games), I’m willing to bet on Laferriere’s recent hot streak continuing - especially at the projected odds. I’d advise playing this at +150 or better. A riskier but more rewarding play would be Laferriere to score a goal at FanDuel’s +400 odds, meaning you can win $40 on a $10 bet."

Anze Kopitar Over 0.5 points (+105 bet365)

"Kopitar isn’t the offensive force that he used to be, but he still ranked second on the Kings in scoring this year and paced them in assists with 46. He’s also produced at nearly a point-per-game clip versus Edmonton in his career, and he’s notched 14 points in 16 playoff games versus the Oilers over the past three postseasons.

If L.A. is going to open up the series with a statement victory, expect the Kings’ veteran captain to be right in the middle of it, setting the tone. You can back Kopitar to earn at least a point at plus money via bet365 and ESPN BET, both of whom are offering +105 odds, while BetMGM and FanDuel aren’t far behind at +100 odds."

Jake Walman Over 0.5 points (+220 FanDuel)

"Many would name Evan Bouchard as the Oilers defenseman who needs to step up his game the most in the absence of Ekholm. But don’t sleep on trade deadline acquisition Walman, whose 40 points this season were nearly double his previous career high.

Walman recorded points in three of the four games he played this month without Ekholm in the lineup, and he should also see some power play time now in a top-four blueliner role. Most of our best sports betting sites price Walman Over 0.5 points in the +190 range, but FanDuel’s generous +220 price means you could turn a $10 bet into a $22 profit."

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-22T15:24:38+00:00

The Kings win a barn burner 6-5 in Game 1 despite 4 points from McDavid.

Updated series odds: Kings -210 / Oilers +180

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-23T19:28:58+00:00

Oilers vs Kings Game 2 prediction from SBR's Connor Cooper:

Oilers Moneyline (+115 BetMGM)

"One of the reasons we backed the Kings in Game 1 was because of the potential for the Oilers’ big guns to be sluggish after missing recent action due to various injuries. That certainly appeared to be the case for the first two periods, as Los Angeles surged out to a 4-0 lead and looked well on its way to an easy puck line cash.

Things quickly changed in the third period, however. Edmonton fired 15 shots on net in the final frame – five more than it had in the first two periods - and was rewarded with four goals, including McDavid’s equalizer with 1:28 remaining in regulation. Even though L.A. quickly responded with a flukey game-winner by Phillip Danault in the final minute, the rally gives the Oilers reason for optimism tonight.

Despite collecting four points (one goal, three assists) in the opener, McDavid told reporters after the game that he felt the team wasn’t quite ready to go. We should expect much different tonight from the defending Western Conference champions, especially after Leon Draisatil (goal, assist) and Evan Bouchard (three assists) also made big contributions in the comeback.

L.A., which got two goals from Danault and three points from both Adrian Kempe and Andrei Kuzmenko in Game 1, is certainly capable of scoring as well. But the Kings have reason to be concerned about their defensive play after blowing a four-goal lead on Monday, and Game 1 was the fourth time in five games that L.A. has given up at least four goals.

My favorite play is backing Edmonton in a bounce-back spot tonight at an underdog price, but the Over 5.5 isn’t far behind. If we get at least three goals from the high-scoring Oilers tonight, it’s impossible for us to lose both of these bets, and we’ve got a strong chance to cash them both."

Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (+128 FanDuel)

"As Huey Lewis and the News sang, sometimes it’s hip to be square, and I’m happy to back the best player in the world tonight.

McDavid torched the Kings for 36 points in 18 games over the past three playoffs, and Edmonton’s superstar continued his sizzling production vs. L.A. with another four points in the series opener.

FanDuel’s -390 odds on McDavid scoring at least one point implies nearly an 80% probability that he cracks the scoreboard tonight. But if you back him in the Player 2+ Points market, you can find him at +128 odds, returning $12.80 profit on a $10 wager."

Evan Bouchard Over 0.5 assists (+100 DraftKings)

"How effective Bouchard would be without his typical partner Mattias Ekholm, who is out for the series with an injury, was a major storyline coming into this series. Bouchard’s defensive play is still a huge concern for the Oilers after he was on the ice for three of the Kings' four even-strength goals in Game 1, but his offensive contributions shouldn’t be.

Bouchard, whose 53 assists ranked fifth among blue-liners in the regular season, drew three more helpers on Monday night. Like McDavid, he’s been a thorn in the side of the Kings in previous playoffs as well, earning eight assists in five games between the teams last spring. At DraftKings’ even-money odds, Bouchard Over 0.5 assists is a must-play for me."

Andrei Kuzmenko Over 0.5 points (-111 FanDuel)

"When Kuzmenko is given the opportunity to play with elite players, he makes the most of it. He showed that as a rookie in 2022-23 when he collected 74 points playing on the Vancouver Canucks’ top line, and he’s been effective again on the Kings’ first line since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in March.

Skating with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, Kuzmenko put up 17 points in his team's final 22 regular-season games. He then built on that in Game 1, opening the scoring 2:49 into the game and adding a pair of assists."