The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, rivals from the Pacific Division, are set to begin their 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs journey. For the fourth year in a row, these two teams will clash in the first round. After finishing second and third in their division respectively, both teams enter the playoffs with strong momentum, each having won four of their last five regular-season games. Notably, the Kings have had the upper hand against the Oilers this season, winning three out of four matchups, including a recent 5-0 shutout victory in Edmonton.
Game 1 is scheduled for Monday at 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Key Matchup Insights:
The Kings have demonstrated strong defensive play at home, allowing an average of just 1.98 goals per game in Southern California. Their recent regular-season dominance over the Oilers, including two shutouts, further highlights their preparedness for this playoff series.
Player to Watch: Connor McDavid
Despite the strong Kings defense, keep an eye on Connor McDavid of the Oilers. He`s entering the playoffs on a high-scoring streak, with 11 assists in his last five games. While his point production against the Kings this season has been moderate, his playoff performance, including a five-assist game against them in the previous playoffs, suggests he could be a game-changer.
Player to Watch: Quinton Byfield
For the Kings, Quinton Byfield is a player to watch. He has been particularly effective against the Oilers this season, scoring three goals in their four regular-season games and maintaining a strong scoring streak leading into the playoffs.
