NHL Betting Preview: Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Moneyline: Edmonton -185 | Total: 5.5 Goals
A high-stakes matchup is on deck as the Los Angeles Kings travel to face the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night, featuring two of the NHL’s hottest teams.
Oilers Outlook
Edmonton has won five of its last six games and boasts a 14-7-1 record at home. The Oilers bounced back from their loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Despite falling behind 2-0 early, Edmonton showed resilience as Zach Hyman netted the game-winner in the third period.
Leon Draisaitl, the league’s top goal scorer, didn’t add to his 31-goal total but chipped in with two assists. He’s rarely held off the scoresheet for long, having only been goalless in consecutive games three times this season. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid remains uncharacteristically quiet, having been held pointless in three of his last five games after a dominant 12-game point streak.
The Oilers’ offense has been red-hot, scoring three or more goals in 14 straight contests. Despite their offensive firepower, maintaining consistency at home after a recent road-heavy stretch could be a key factor in this game.
Kings Outlook
The Kings were riding a five-game winning streak before falling 2-1 to the Calgary Flames on Saturday. Despite outshooting Calgary 32-18, rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf stood tall, allowing only one goal. Jacob Moverare’s tally was the lone bright spot for Los Angeles, marking his first goal of the season.
Los Angeles has leaned on its defense, holding opponents to three goals or fewer in 17 of its last 18 games. However, the Kings have struggled slightly on the road, posting a 10-9-4 record compared to their dominant 14-2-1 mark at home.
Head-to-Head History
The Oilers and Kings have developed a fierce rivalry, with Edmonton eliminating Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. The Oilers overcame a 3-2 series deficit to win in seven games in 2022, followed by six-game and five-game series wins in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The Kings got some revenge in their last meeting on Dec. 28, earning a 4-3 overtime victory. However, the Oilers have still won seven of their last 10 encounters, including both regular-season and playoff matchups.
Betting Trends and Predictions:
Spread: Edmonton -1.5 – The Oilers’ potent offense gives them an edge, especially at home, where they’ve been strong all season.
Total Goals: Over 5.5 – With Edmonton’s consistent goal-scoring prowess and the Kings’ ability to generate offense despite strong defense, this game has the makings of a high-scoring affair.
Player Prop: Leon Draisaitl Over 1.5 Points – Draisaitl has been a key contributor and rarely stays quiet in consecutive games. Look for him to find the net or dish out assists.
Connor McDavid Anytime Goal Scorer: McDavid is due for a breakout game after a rare dry spell, making this a prime spot to take him as a scorer.
The Oilers’ ability to dictate pace with their high-powered offense could prove too much for the Kings, who may struggle to contain the likes of Draisaitl and McDavid. Expect a hard-fought contest, but Edmonton has the upper hand at home and should come away with the win.
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
