The Los Angeles Kings (43-21-10) and Edmonton Oilers (43-23-9) meet Thursday at Rogers Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kings vs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Kings lost as +124 underdogs 2-1 at the Calgary Flames Tuesday. D Sean Durzi scored the lone goal for the Kings, who lost for just the 3rd time in their last 13 games. Los Angeles is in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with 96 points.
The Oilers won as -108 favorites 7-4 at the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday. C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had 5 points as the Oilers moved to within 3 points of 1st-place Vegas in the Pacific.
The Kings lead this season’s series 2-0 with the Over hitting in 1 of the 2 meetings. Los Angeles won as a -107 home favorite 6-3 as the Over (6.5) cashed in the most recent meeting Jan. 9.
Kings at Oilers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 12:24 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kings +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Oilers -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-170) | Oilers -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -170 | U: +125)
Kings at Oilers projected goalies
Pheonix Copley (23-4-3, 2.72 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO) vs Stuart Skinner (24-14-5, 2.95 GAA, .908 SV%)
Copley has faced the Oilers once this season and allowed 3 goals on 31 shots in the Jan. 9 win. He’s 2-1-0 in 3 career games (2 starts) vs. Edmonton with a 2.07 GAA and .930 SV% (80 saves against 86 shots).
Skinner’s 2 career starts vs. the Kings have both been this season. He’s 0-1-0 vs. Los Angeles and has allowed 5 goals on 55 shots, good for a 3.66 GAA and .909 SV%.
Kings at Oilers picks and predictions
Prediction
Oilers 4, Kings 3
Moneyline
BET OILERS (-155).
Edmonton is 7-1 in its last 8 games and 6-1 in its last 7 at home. The Oilers are on an 8-game points streak and are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. teams with a winning record. This game is important for the Pacific Division standings and the Kings should struggle to beat the Oilers 3 times in 1 season.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
Six of the Kings’ last 7 losses have been by just 1 goal. Los Angeles +1.5 (-170) should cover, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the puck line when Edmonton moneyline is the better play. Bet Edmonton ML and/or the total instead.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 6.5 (-170).
The Over is 9-3 in Los Angeles’ last 12 road games and 12-5-1 in its last 18 after allowing 2 or fewer goals in its previous contest.
The Over has gone 4-1-1 in Edmonton’s last 6 games vs. teams with a winning record and should hit again Thursday, but I’m going to wait and see if a lower price becomes available before puck drop.
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow Corey Scott on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.