The Edmonton Oilers return residence to Rogers Place on Monday night for an necessary showdown in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings. With each groups neck-and-neck within the Pacific Division standings, this sport carries important weight for the Oilers. A win might imply a critical swing as they attempt to kick off a tricky stretch of video games on the suitable foot and set a tone the Kings will keep in mind if these two meet once more within the playoffs — which it seems like they at all times do.
Contemporary off a 3-1 street journey, the Oilers maintain a slim two-point lead over the Kings, who’ve two video games in hand. A win tonight for Edmonton offers the Oilers just a little respiration room and places some management over their playoff destiny again in their very own arms. Each groups chase the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. “Taking a look at our schedule, how tough our subsequent 5 or 6 video games are, it’s about as robust because it will get,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch famous to the media on Monday.
This matchup isn’t nearly standings. It is a assertion sport for the Oilers, who might have to make a swing on the commerce deadline so as to add physicality to their lineup. The Kings have traditionally taken it to Edmonton in relation to bodily play, and the Oilers are far and away the lowest-ranking groups this season in relation to hits within the NHL. Edmonton both must show they will ramp up the physicality with this roster or present they will win dominantly with out the tough stuff.
Oilers vs Kings: This Is A Pretty Even Matchup
The betting odds favor the Oilers, however each boast a +22 purpose differential and have ranked among the many league’s prime three groups since December. Each franchises have gained 5 of their final six video games and that is about as evenly matched because it will get.
For the Oilers, it’s a chance to make an announcement. They’re in search of revenge for a December 28 loss in Los Angeles, the place they surrendered a third-period lead and fell in additional time. The celebrities should be the celebrities. Leon Draisaitl, who has torched the Kings with 15 targets in his final 17 video games in opposition to them, might want to nonetheless paved the way. Connor McDavid, who went with no level within the Oilers’ win over Chicago, needs to get again on monitor.
The Kings are stable defensively. The Oilers are dynamic once they present up early. Particular groups might be the important thing to the win right here. If the Kings get overly aggressive and the Oilers could make them pay on the person benefit, this might lean Edmonton’s approach.
A win tonight would offer the Oilers with momentum and a little bit of cushion within the standings. They should come able to play within the first 20 minutes.
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