The Los Angeles Kings are set to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday evening at 10 p.m. ET, a game broadcast on NHL Network. This matchup is a sneak peek of a potential first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Currently, the Kings have the advantage of home ice, but this could shift depending on Monday`s game outcome as only two points separate these Western Conference rivals. Notably, these two teams have clashed in the first round of the playoffs for the past three years, with the Oilers emerging victorious each time. In the last postseason, Edmonton defeated Los Angeles in five games.
Los Angeles boasts a strong, well-rounded offense with seven players who have scored 18 or more goals this season. The Edmonton Oilers, who were Stanley Cup finalists last year, are aiming to return to the final series. Edmonton may have to play without their top scorer, Leon Draisaitl, who is questionable due to an undisclosed injury. Connor McDavid is expected to lead the Oilers` offense in Monday’s game.
Bookmakers have established the Oilers as slight favorites for this game. According to current betting odds, Edmonton`s money line is at -111 (bet $111 to win $100), while the Kings are underdogs at -109 (bet $109 to win $100). The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5.
Regarding player prop bets, Adrian Kempe of the Kings is listed at -150 on BetMGM to score over 0.5 points, followed by Kevin Fiala (-135), Anze Kopitar (-120), and Quinton Byfield (-110). For the Oilers, Connor McDavid is at +100 to score over 1.5 points, and Evan Bouchard is at -190 to score over 0.5 points.
This game marks the third and final meeting between the Kings and Oilers this season. Los Angeles has won both previous games and holds the head-to-head edge regardless of Monday`s result. For Edmonton to secure home ice advantage for a potential playoff series, they would need to win their remaining two games in regulation and hope Los Angeles earns no more than two points from their final two games after Monday.
Here’s a quick look at the betting predictions:
Money line
Pick: Oilers -111
Betting models predict Edmonton wins in 68% of simulations, offering value at these odds.
Puck line
Pick: Oilers -1.5 (+224)
Betting models predict Edmonton covers the puck line in 41% of simulations, offering value at these odds.
Over/Under
Pick: Over 5.5
Betting models predict the Over hits in 57% of simulations.
Projected score: Oilers 3.6, Kings 2.6
