The Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers meet Wednesday in Game 5 Western Conference NHL Playoffs action at Rogers Place. Here’s a Kings vs. Oilers prediction.
Game Four Recap: Oilers Push Kings To Brink In Defensive Battle
The Edmonton Oilers got the win in game four, taking a 1-0 win to secure the triumph and to push the Kings to the brink of elimination with a 3-1 series lead going back to Edmonton for this one. Evan Bouchard’s 2nd period power play goal was the lone tally that both teams would see in this game, despite the Oilers being outshot in the game 33-13. Stuart Skinner got the win between the pipes for the Oilers after stopping all 33 shots faced in the win while David Rittich took the loss after allowing the game’s lone goal on 13 shots faced in defeat.
Los Angeles Kings Player Stats
Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in scoring with 75 points including a team-high 47 assists in addition to 28 goals while Kevin Fiala has 73 points with 29 goals and 44 assists. Anze Kopitar also has 70 points with 26 goals and 44 assists. Quinton Byfield has 55 points with 20 goals and 35 assists while Trevor Moore has 57 points with a team-high 31 goals. Cam Talbot has posted a 27-20-6 mark in goal for the Kings this season with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage while David Rittich is 13-6-3 with a 2.16 GAA and a .921 save percentage as well this season.
Los Angeles Kings Team Facts
- The Kings have won each of their last four games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs following a loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last seven games at Rogers Place.
- The Kings have lost the first period in six of their last eight games at Rogers Place.
Edmonton Oilers Player Stats
Connor McDavid leads the Oilers in scoring with 132 points including a team-high 100 assists while Leon Draisaitl has 106 points with 41 goals and 65 assists. Zach Hyman has 77 points with a team-high 54 goals while Evan Bouchard has 82 points with 18 goals and 64 assists as well. Evander Kane has 44 points with 24 goals and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has 67 points with 49 assists this season. Stuart Skinner is 36-16-5 with a 2.62 GAA and a .905 save percentage while Calvin Pickard is 12-7-1 with a 2.45 GAA and a .909 save percentage this season.
Edmonton Oilers Team Facts
- The Oilers have won each of their last 10 games at Rogers Place against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Oilers have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games at Rogers Place following a road win.
- The Oilers have won the second period in each of their last six games following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Oilers’ last eight home games.
Kings vs. Oilers Prediction
I’m on the Oilers here. I just don’t think that the Kings can pull this one out of the fire going back to Edmonton. The Kings’ best shot was to at least win one at home considering they were a lot better at home down the stretch, and while Los Angeles has played better on the road over the course of the season, the Oilers just feel like they’re hitting another gear right now. Obviously any time you have guys like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in your ranks, you’re going to have a good chance at winning hockey games, but right now, the depth pieces are coming through as well and I think the Oilers close out the Gentleman’s sweep and move on to the next round.