2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Preview: Oilers vs. Kings
This is slowly becoming a rivalry between these two teams Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings. Last year, these two foes met in the playoffs in the first round as well, with the Oilers coming back from a 3-2 series lead to advance. These two teams split the four-game season series two a pop with neither team winning by only one goal in each game. We will be breaking down why each team can win this series, and make predictions at the end.
*Puck drop for game 1 in Edmonton is at 10:00 p.m. ET, on Monday, April 17th*
Why the Edmonton Oilers will win the Series:
Dynamic Duo:
I could’ve put Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in two separate categories, but these two just work so well together. There is no doubt that they’re the best duo in hockey right now. During the season, both McDavid and Draisaitl have over 120 points, with McDavid accumulating 153 points and Draisaitl at 128. Absurd. Not to mention, McDavid has had the best offensive season in 27 years. That is all I can say. If the Oilers win this series, it is thanks to this dynamic duo continuing to play at an elite level.
Supporting Cast:
This Oilers team has been the best it’s been with McDavid and Draisaitl. Multiple players have stepped up, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had a quiet 104-point season with almost 40 goals and 70 assists. Outside of Nugent-Hopkins, players, like Zach Hyman and recently acquired Mattias Ekholm, have been huge for Edmonton. Hyman is fourth in points for the Oilers as well as fifth in plus/minus. Ekholm has accumulated 14 points as a defenseman in only 21 games as an Oiler.
Offensive Powerhouse:
Edmonton has been one of the best offenses in the NHL, if not the best. With both teams struggling in net this season, the Oilers will have the advantage with their high-powered offense. During the regular season, the Oilers had 325 goals, nearly 70 more than the league average (258) and 24 more than the next-highest team (Boston Bruins – 301). They also averaged 3.96 goals per game while only giving up 3.12.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win the Series:
Balanced Offense:
Although the Kings don’t have the offensive firepower like the Oilers do, they’re much more balanced. No player had over 80 points this, but Los Angeles has 10 players with over 30 points. In the playoffs, we know stars already shine, but there are always players who step up in the bright lights. With the Kings, they will need that. It could be Viktor Arvidsson or even the young-gun Gabriel Vilardi. The Kings will look to use their much-balanced offense and rely on players to step up in order to combat the Oilers’ offense.
Physicality:
As said before, these two teams are slowly gaining a rivalry. Last season in the playoffs, the Kings thrived on physicality and will need to continue it in this series. In order to try to stop McDavid and Draisaitl, Los Angeles will need to continue that physicality like last season. In the four regular-season meetings, the Kings were out-hit by the Oilers in almost every game. The Kings need to become physical in this series if they want any hope of combating the Oilers.
Kevin Fiala may be back:
The young 26-year-old winger may be back in the black and silver. Kevin Fiala has been the best offensive player for the Kings this season by a mile. In only 69 games played, Fiala had 23 goals and 49 points for a total of 72 points. He has also added 24 points on the power play. With Fiala potentially getting back in action, the Kings have found some life offensively.
Prediction:
Although these teams have battled out their season series by splitting the four games, the Oilers have the best player on the planet and have been playing some great hockey. Although goaltending is a slight edge for the Kings this season, I don’t think they will be able to stop McDavid and others. Los Angeles will grab two games, but fall short of the Oilers once again.
Edmonton Oilers win the series over Los Angeles Kings 4-2
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