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6d ago

Kings and Oilers Face Off in Fourth Consecutive Playoff Series Opener

Los Angeles holds home-ice advantage for the first time as Edmonton contends with injuries to key players ahead of Game 1.

Oilers fans in the Edmonton Ice District Plaza celebrate a Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault, right, celebrates his goal as Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl skates away during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Monday, April 21, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, celebrates his goal with left wing Zach Hyman, second from right, as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, kneels in goal while defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, left, and center Blake Lizotte watch during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles.
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Overview

  • The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers meet in the first round of the NHL playoffs for the fourth straight year, with Edmonton winning all previous matchups.
  • For the first time in these series, the Kings have home-ice advantage, boasting the NHL's best home record this season at 31-6-4.
  • Edmonton will be without defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forward Evander Kane for Game 1, while other players return from late-season injuries.
  • Since acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko on March 7, the Kings have surged, becoming the league’s second-best offense and defense in that span.
  • Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the NHL's top playoff point producers, remain central to Edmonton’s hopes despite their underdog status.