The Edmonton Oilers avoided disaster Wednesday by steamrolling the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. Now with the proceedings heading due south to Los Angeles, the Oilers will attempt to regain home-ice advantage with a victory Friday night.
It appears bookmakers and bettors like Edmonton’s chances to do just that, as current Kings vs Oilers odds have the visitors as a solid Game 3 favorite. Will Edmonton support that faith by winning its first road playoff game since 2017? Or will Los Angeles score another upset and seize control of the best-of-7 series with its first postseason home win since capturing the 2014 Stanley Cup?
Props.com analyzes Kings vs Oilers odds and action heading into Game 3.
Odds via WynnBet and updated as of 6:45 p.m. ET on May 6.
Game 3: Edmonton Oilers (1-1) vs Los Angeles Kings (1-1)
Puck drop/TV: 10 p.m. ET/TBS
Moneyline: Oilers -145/Kings +125
Puck Line: Oilers -1.5 (+180)/Kings +1.5 (-222)
Total: 6 (Over -125/Under +105)
Series Price: Oilers -240/Kings +190
Game 2 Recap: Edmonton broke open a scoreless contest with two goals less than five minutes apart early in the second period, then cruised to a 6-0 victory to even the best-of-7 series. In Game 1, Los Angeles rallied for a 4-3 victory.
Season Series: Oilers 4-2-0; Kings 2-3-1
Slap Shots
- Five different Oilers lit the lamp in Game 2, led by forward Evander Kane. The much-maligned veteran who has made a lot of news off the ice in recent years had a huge third period with two goals and an assist.
- Connor McDavid (two assists), Evan Bouchard (two assists) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (goal, assist) also had multiple points for Edmonton.
- Two days after allowing four goals on 35 shots, 40-year-old goaltender Mike Smith was impenetrable. He turned aside all 30 of L.A.’s shots, eight of which were fired during four power plays. It was Smith’s sixth career playoff shutout, the first since 2019 against Calgary.
- Kings captain Anze Kopitar had a game-high six shots.
- Through two games, Edmonton is 4-for-8 on the power play and also has a shorthanded goal. Conversely, L.A. has not converted any of its eight power-play chances.
Streaks & Stats
The Kings are now 1-9 in the playoffs since winning the second of two Stanley Cups in 2014. That includes five straight losses in the building formerly known as Staples Center. Including the two games in Edmonton, Los Angeles is 25-12-7 on the road but went just 21-16-4 at home.
The Oilers are on a 14-3-1 tear since March 28, going 5-2-0 as a visitor. Wednesday’s Game 2 victory aside, though, Edmonton remains just 3-12 in its last 15 playoff contests. That includes a 3-8 mark as a favorite and four straight defeats in true road playoff games (not including 2020).
Betting Nuggets
Edmonton is now 6-2 in its last eight games against the Kings, including 3-0 in Los Angeles. Prior to this run, though, the Kings had won 17 of 19 meetings in southern California. … The favorite is on a 35-16 roll in this rivalry (4-1 this season). … The total split in the first two games in Canada, but the Over is 7-2-2 in the last 11 Oilers-Kings battles in L.A. (1-1 this season).
Game 3 Best Bet
Oilers -145 (moneyline).
Kings vs Oilers Odds and Action
UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: After seeing strong action on the Under in Game 3, WynnBet moments ago moved the total from 6.5/Under -125 to 6/Over -125. The Under is taking 58% of the tickets and a whopping 82% of the dollars. The moneyline remains unchanged, holding firm at the opener of Oilers -145/Kings +125 amid splits of 78% tickets/73% cash on Edmonton. The puck line also hasn’t budged at Oilers -1.5 (+180)/Kings +1.5 (-220), with split action of 53% tickets on L.A. and 96% cash on the visitors.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET FRIDAY: WynnBet set the Game 3 Kings vs Oilers odds at Edmonton -145/Los Angeles +125 and hasn’t budged. There’s been just negligible juice movement on the total, which opened at 6.5/Under -120 and is now 6.5/Under -125.
Check back prior to puck drop for additional Kings vs Oilers odds and action updates.
More Stanley Cup Playoffs Coverage:
Bruins vs Hurricanes Odds: Carolina Shoots For 3-0 Series Lead