The Edmonton Oilers are back in California to face the Los Angeles Kings Thursday in Game 6 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series. The Kings lead the series 3-2. Puck drop from Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we look at the Oilers vs. Kings Game 6 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Facing elimination, the Oilers will be without one of their top defensemen as Darnell Nurse is suspended for Game 6 after headbutting a Kings player in Game 5. The Kings stunned the Oilers 5-4 in overtime to take a 3-2 lead back home. Oilers C Leon Draisaitl had 2 goals, and C Connor McDavid had 3 points, but it wasn’t enough.
Kings C Adrian Kempe had 2 goals, including the game-winner in OT. The 25-year-old Swede had just 2 assists in the series entering Game 5. The Kings have outshot the Oilers 89-59 in the last 2 games. Will 2 of the NHL’s brightest stars fade into the night with the Oilers?
Oilers at Kings odds and lines
- Money line: Oilers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Kings +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Oilers -1.5 (+155) | Kings +1.5 (-205)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Oilers at Kings projected goalies
Mike Smith (16-9-1, 2.81 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO – regular season) vs. Jonathan Quick (23-13-9, 2.59 GAA, .910 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)
Outside of his Game 1 gaffe, Smith hasn’t been the problem. He has a .930 SV% in the series. The Kings have been relentless as he has faced 46, 45 and 43 shots in the last 3 games. Smith has been trending in the wrong direction since his Game 2 shutout.
Quick has been feast or famine in this series. Outside of his Game 3 shutout, he has allowed 3 or more goals in each game with an .887 SV%. He should be prepared to face a barrage Thursday after the Oilers have been outshot by nearly double in the last 2 games.
Money line
The Oilers find themselves in a hole, and they’re down a defenseman. The good news is they have talented enough forwards to forecheck and cover up their thin blue line. According to Pregame.com, 74% of the cash is on Edmonton to force Game 7 LEAN OILERS -140.
Against the spread
McDavid and Draisaitl hear the jeers in the media about how they can’t get over the hump. They answered in Game 5 and will do so again in Game 6. Go lightly, but we’ll take the OILERS -1.5 (+155) as they’ll empty the tank Thursday to survive.
Over/Under
The only 2 times the Under cashed in this series was when someone was shut out. No one is getting shut out in Game 6.
LEAN OVER 6.5 (-105) or place a live bet when the Over drops to 5.5. Neither side has scored within the first 3 minutes of any game in this series, and that might work to your advantage. Find your price and strike.