- What: NHL Playoffs
- Who: Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
- When: Best-of-seven series is expected to start Saturday, April 19
There's certainly a familiar feel to an NHL Western Conference playoff series between the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. This will be the fourth successive spring that the two clubs will meet in postseason play.
Edmonton has won each of those four series. Oddsmakers are again going with the Oilers as the betting choice in the NHL playoff. Edmonton is set as -135 favorites in this best-of-seven series that is expected to start on Saturday.
Let's look at the latest betting line on this series. Remember, odds are subject to change.
 | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | +1.5 (-170) | +115 | O 5.5 (-185) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -1.5 (+140) | -135 | U 5.5 (+155) |
The Kings won three of four regular-season meetings against the Oilers this season. LA has beaten Edmonton by a combined 8-0 score over their last two games. Prior to that, Edmonton recorded a 1-0 victory. The Kings were 4-3 overtime winners in the first game of the 2024-25 NHL campaign between the two clubs.
Best NHL Playoff Picks For You
Before we make a deeper assessment of which way to lean in the NHL playoff bets for this Kings vs Oilers first-round series, why not take a look at our handy best NHL betting sites list to make the most out of your bets, including the latest props and futures wagering. With the playoffs underway, you may also want to service your NHL betting needs on a more comprehensive basis by checking out our NHL playoffs page. And if you're still looking to get a wager down on which NHL team is going to win the title, check out the latest betting lines on our Stanley Cup futures page.
Kings vs Oilers Betting Trends
The Oilers and Kings have clashed in 11 total series in Stanley Cup play. Edmonton has won eight of the 10 previous playoff meetings with Los Angeles, including the past six in a row.
LA hasn't eliminated Edmonton from the playoffs since 1989. Last spring, the Oilers took the Kings out in five games.
When analyzing the NHL playoff stats, it's important to note the Oilers are holding a massive 36-18 straight-up edge over the Kings in all-time playoff games between the two teams. Edmonton holds a 20-9 SU edge over Los Angeles on home ice in the NHL postseason. At LA, the Oilers have won 16 of 25 playoff games against the Kings.
Kings Mired In Long Playoff Drought
Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014, LA has played five playoff series. The Kings have lost every one of them. That's 11 years and counting without tasting postseason success.
Darnell Nurse has been suspended 1 game for cross-checking Quinton Byfield
pic.twitter.com/RYrCvobHCM— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 16, 2025
A revelation for the Kings this year has been the play of Quinton Byfield. Moved from the wing to center, he's scored a career-high 23 goals. However, Byfield's status for this series is uncertain. He was injured when checked in the neck by Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse in the most recent meeting between the two teams.
Forwards Kevin Fiala (35 goals) and Alex Laferriere (42 points) and goalie Darcy Kuemper, who's second in the NHL in quality starts, are all enjoying career years.
Oilers Injury Riddled Entering Postseason
Edmonton forward Leon Draistaitl leads the NHL with 52 goals and is an MVP contender. He's also ailing with a lower-body injury. Will he be at 100% for this series?
Is Knoblauch saying that everyone except Ekholm will be in the lineup for Game 1? pic.twitter.com/otWZdzTfdE
— Adhi (@OilerAlert) April 16, 2025
That's just among many injury concerns for the NHL's reigning Western Conference champions. Top-four defenseman Mattias Ekholm will miss the entire series. Defensemen Jake Walman and Troy Stecher and forwards Trent Frederic and Zach Hyman have also been on the shelf late in the regular season.
Of even more concern perhaps is that in four regular-season meetings, LA held Edmonton superstars Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to two points apiece.
Kings vs Oilers Prop Bets To Consider
BetUS is offering a number of prop bets on this series. For starters, Edmonton capturing the series in six games is the +350 betting choice in a series correct score prop. Los Angeles winning in seven games is second in this betting line at +450.
A series exact games prop has six games as the +185 chalk. There's also a series of total game props. If you think the Kings and Oilers are going six games, you can bet over 5.5 games at odds of -200.
Los Angeles vs Edmonton NHL Playoff Picks
It's the traditional sports story of the irresitible force vs the immovable object. LA owns the NHL's best expected goals against per game of 2.63. The Oilers lead the league in rush chances. Can up-tempo Edmonton penetrate the brick wall LA defense?
That fact of the matter is that the Oilers' dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl have put together their worst combined statistical season in four years. And Edmonton doesn't have the goaltending or secondary scoring to overcome a downturn from the club's superstars. LA is due to beat Edmonton and has the deeper team that will do it this spring. Go with the Kings in the NHL playoff.
-
50% bonus up to $250Play NowT&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
EXCLUSIVE BONUS 125% up to $2,000Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
50% up to $200Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
150% up to $225Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
50% bonus up to $1000Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
