Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings NHL Betting Picks and Prediction for Friday, April 26, 2024

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings – The clash between the Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6) and the Los Angeles Kings (44-27-11) marks a critical moment in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Taking place on Friday, April 26, 2024, this game is not just a showdown of skill and strategy, but also a significant event for Canadian best sports betting enthusiasts. The game is set to start at 10:30 PM ET at the Crypto.com Arena, with live coverage provided by TBS. Both teams are gearing up for a pivotal Game 3 in their series, making this matchup one to watch closely.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:30 PM ET

Location: Crypto.com Arena

TV: TBS

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Odds

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
OilersTBDTBDTBD
KingsTBDTBDTBD

Edmonton Oilers Analysis

The Edmonton Oilers have an acute offense supported by no less than Connor McDavid, who left everyone mesmerized by notching up 32 goals and setting up 100 assists this season. His tandem with Leon Draisaitl who contributed by a scoreline of 41, is a fearful connection that can quickly spot any defensive lapses from the Kings’ lineup. McDavid’s good vision and Draisaitl’s sharp shooting ability are the major difference when it comes against the defense of the Kings, which showed hard-time at peaking pressure.

The defensive Oilers team has shown no better consistency. The player, Stuart Skinner, could turn out to be a good bridge to an anticipated campaign but still faces an extreme adversary against the Kings’ attackers that boast a .905 save percentage. The Oilers’ road game stats (ATS) with a record of (15-26) show that they struggled on the road, potentially going into this critical away game with even more of an uphill battle.

Los Angeles Kings Analysis

In the offensive, the Kings are possessed by Adrian Kempe and his active playing style which brought about 27 goals in the current season. With Kevin Fiala and Anze Kopitar forming a trio, the Kings are able to defend the opponents’ resistance line. The team’s skill of scoring many goals in plays against the Oilers’ defense will be one of their strengths, especially since Skinner does not confirm himself when he plays under high pressure.

Defensively speaking, the Kings utilize Cam Talbot who has posted a 0.913 save percentage, which is better than his Oilers counterpart. He has the know-how that could make him the key to success in this game for which the Oilers have the fastest offense in the league. The Kings’ collective defensive performance, in turn backed by Talbto’s top goalkeeping, will have to be at its optimum to reverse the Oilers’ best scorers’ domination.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Against the Spread

The Oilers showed their strength in the previous games, finishing 1 out of 5 games with good results. Even though their ATS on the road is promising, their performance over the spread appears to tell a different story. The sums of recent games that have gone OVER carry a trend of high-scoring games. It might continue for this postseason.

On the contrary, the Kings keep losing their games in series and going against the point spread. But they have the motivation to play away games. Whilst away results have been relatively disappointing with the totals going OVER in 18 of their last 41 away games, home performance statistics indicate 18 OVER in the last 41 games played in Crypto.com Arena.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Free Pick

Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:

Moneyline: Edmonton Oilers. Given the offensive power of McDavid and Draisaitl, Edmonton is likely to overpower the Kings, despite their defensive inconsistencies.

Spread: Los Angeles Kings to cover the spread. With the Oilers struggling on the road against the spread, and the Kings performing better at home, Los Angeles could keep the game close enough to cover.

Total: Over. Both teams have shown trends towards high-scoring games, and with offensive talents peaking, an OVER on the total seems likely.

Predicted Score: Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 3

In conclusion, while the betting odds are yet to be determined, the matchup suggests that the Edmonton Oilers are positioned to take a victory, albeit in a closely contested game. Betting on the Oilers’ moneyline appears to be the most straightforward choice, considering their offensive strengths. For those seeking more value, considering the Kings to cover the spread could be a strategic bet. As the latest NHL Playoffs 2024 picks roll in, this game presents an exciting opportunity for seasoned bettors and casual fans alike.