Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers odds, picks and predictions
The Los Angeles Kings (29-17-10) and Edmonton Oilers (33-20-2) are lined up for a Pacific Division battle Monday night. Opening faceoff at Rogers Place is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kings vs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Los Angeles last played Saturday, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime. It was a fortunate cover as the Kings were big -283 home favorites, and the Under (6) hit. The Kings, who went just 2-8-6 from Dec. 28-Jan. 28, have gone 6-2-0 since the All-Star break.
The Oilers have come back to earth a bit after winning 16 in a row from Dec. 21-Jan. 27. Edmonton has lost 3 in a row (0-2-1) and is just 4-5-1 in the 2nd half. The Oilers’ most recent game was a 6-3 loss as -183 home favorites Saturday to the Calgary Flames with the Over (6.5) cashing.
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Kings at Oilers odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:18 p.m. ET.
Kings at Oilers projected goalies
Cam Talbot (16-13-5, 2.53 GAA, .913 SV%) vs. Stuart Skinner (25-13-2, 2.72 GAA, .901 SV%)
Talbot has been L.A.’s primary goaltender this season, but he has made just 2 starts since the break. Both went well (.968 SV% — 61 saves on 63 shots), but in the rearview mirror is a stretch from Jan. 7-26 that saw the 36-year-old log an .865 SV% (180 saves on 208 shots in 7 games) in a stretch of mostly road efforts.
Skinner gave up 5 goals on 30 shots Saturday and owns an .865 SV% (also 180 saves on 207 shots in 7 games) in February. He clocked a 4-start .950 SV% against the Kings last season.
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Kings at Oilers picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Oilers 3
These Pacific foes have split 2 games this season. In their last meeting, Los Angeles won 4-0 as a +113 home underdog vs. Edmonton Feb. 10 with the Under (6.5) cashing. Kings G David Rittich stopped all 26 Oilers shots, while Skinner gave up 3 goals on 25 shots.
On the road, the Kings have won 3 straight. Their power play is 5 for its last 9, and the club has registered solid puck-possession and expected-goal analytics of late.
The Oilers are a bit in scramble mode and figure to be overvalued here.
This contest has a lean toward being high scoring, so Kings +1.5 (-176) gets dinged a bit in that scoring environment. PASS.
The Oilers have done well to create a lot of good looks and cash in on those higher-percentage shots of late. Plus, they have been leaky on defense in the Over going 6-1 across their last 7 games.
Add in a Kings offense on a roll with an extra man and due on the 5-on-5 expected-goal side, and there is reason to like the Over. FanDuel Sportsbook offers a line of less juice at OVER 6.5 (-110), which is worth some partial-unit action.
