For the third 12 months in a row, the Edmonton Oilers will meet the Los Angeles Kings within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edmonton gained the final two matchups, so Los Angeles must be hoping the third time’s the appeal.
Via the primary month or two of the 2023-24 season, the Oilers regarded like one of many worst groups within the NHL. That prompted them to make a training change, changing Jay Woodcroft with Kris Knoblauch, and so they have not regarded again. Shortly after that, Edmonton rattled off 16 straight wins, and all the celebrities rounded into type. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl stay the very best one-two punch within the league. Zach Hyman hit the 50-goal mark for the primary time in his profession. Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard lead a stable blue line. So long as Stuart Skinner could make key saves at key occasions, this Oilers staff is a doable Stanley Cup run.
To ensure that the Oilers to raise the best trophy in sports activities, they must get previous the revenge-focused Kings first. In 2022, Edmonton defeated Los Angeles in seven video games. Final season, it solely took six video games. Can the Kings flip the tide with their extremely stingy defensive construction? They’re going to must in an effort to decelerate the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl. If L.A. does discover itself behind in a recreation or two, can Kevin Fiala or Adrian Kempe ship sufficient offense to maintain up with the high-powered Oilers? We’re about to seek out out.
With the Oilers and Kings working it again a 3rd time, the whole first-round collection schedule will be discovered under.
Full Oilers vs. Kings schedule
Recreation 1: | Oilers 7, Kings 4 | Recap
Recreation 2: Wednesday, April 24 | 10 p.m. | at EDM | TBS
Recreation 3: Friday, April 26 | 10:30 p.m. | at LA | TBS
Recreation 4: Sunday, April 28 | 10:30 p.m. | at LA | TBS, truTV
*Recreation 5: Wednesday, Could 1 | TBD | at EDM | TBD
*Recreation 6: Friday, Could 3 | TBD | at LA | TBD
*Recreation 7: Sunday, Could 5 | TBD | at EDM | TBD
*if vital
