The Staples Center plays host to a Pacific Division tilt as the Los Angeles Kings welcome the visiting Edmonton Oilers. The puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, and you can catch the game live on CBC Sports.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-155) is currently favored over Edmonton (+135) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Los Angeles is 33-28 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.6 units this season. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 39-43 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 61 regular season contests, 31 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 14-13 SU at home this year.
The Kings have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays for just 5.6 minutes per game over their last five outings, in total.
With a .922 save percentage and 27.4 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (23 wins, 24 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If head coach John Stevens chooses to rest him, however, Los Angeles may go with Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to look for leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (64 points) has tallied 25 goals and 39 assists and has recorded multiple points in 18 different games this year. Brown has 17 goals and 24 assists to his name and has notched a point in 29 contests.
Edmonton is 25-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Oilers are 12-18 SU as the road team this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 14.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 72.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (.903 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 26.7 saves per game and has 22 wins, 26 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Connor McDavid (27 goals, 44 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Edmonton is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles last five games.
- Six of Edmonton’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. Edmonton skaters have accounted for the league’s most hits per game (27.2) and the Kings have handed the third-most (25.3).
