The LA Kings (44-27-11) and the Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6) meet Monday to open a best-of-7 1st-round Western playoff series. Puck drop from Rogers Place is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kings vs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Los Angeles ended its regular season with a 5-4 overtime win over Chicago on Thursday to cover as a -410 home favorite. LW Viktor Arvidsson had 2 goals and an assist while C Phillip Danault assisted on 3 goals. 4 Kings players scored in the win.
The Oilers lost back-to-back games to end the regular season after falling 5-1 against Colorado and failing to cover as a +217 road underdog. LW Dylan Holloway scored the lone goal for Edmonton. The team allowed 4 goals in the 1st period of the loss.
The Oilers won 3 of 4 meetings against the Kings this season.
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Kings at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kings +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Oilers -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-185) | Oilers -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Kings at Oilers projected goalies
Cam Talbot (27-20-6, 2.5 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Stuart Skinner (36-16-5, 2.62 GAA, .905 SV%, 2 SO)
Talbot has been the most consistent goalie for the Kings this season and his rankings prove that. His record and SO each rank 11th in the league, his SV% is tied for 10th-best, and his 2.5 GAA is the 7th-best. The Kings are 4-2 in his last 6 starts.
Skinner has the 3rd-best record in the NHL with 36 wins. His other stats are middle-of-the-pack with his GAA being 14th-best and his SV% ranking 25th. The Oilers are 3-2 in his last 5 starts while he has allowed 2 goals or fewer in 4 of those 5 games.
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Kings at Oilers picks and predictions
Prediction
Oilers 3, Kings 2
Moneyline
BET OILERS (-175).
The Oilers are among the best teams in the NHL and are a real threat to win the Stanley Cup. They are 28-9-4 at home this season, including 3-2 in their last 5. They let their foot off the throttle slightly toward the end of the regular season, but on Monday they will pick up where they left off. They face a Kings team that is 1-3 in their last 4 road Games.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
While the Oilers are the better team, the Kings can keep this game within reach. However, Kings +1.5 (-185) holds minimal value to make a wager.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6 (-120).
This series will feature 2 premier goalies along with 2 great defenses. The Kings have a 30-49-3 Over record this season while the Oilers have a 35-43-4 Over record. LA has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 6 of its last 7 while Edmonton has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 7 of its last 9.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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