As the Edmonton Oilers gear up for yet another showdown with the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, fans are eagerly anticipating a clash that's become an annual tradition. For the fourth consecutive season, these two teams will face off, and though the Kings edged out the Oilers 3-1 in their regular-season series, the playoffs paint an entirely different picture.
The Oilers have outmatched the Kings in the first round for three straight seasons, but the Kings now boast home-ice advantage for the first time. Despite some injury setbacks, Edmonton's packing serious firepower and the playoff experience to aim for a four-peat against Los Angeles.
Let's dive into the three crucial keys for the Oilers to emerge victorious.
Key #1: Protect the Fortress at Home
Without the luxury of home-ice advantage, Edmonton finds itself in unfamiliar territory, starting their playoff journey on the road. Los Angeles proved to be a titan at home with an impressive 31-6-4 record this season at Crypto.com Arena.
While that might seem daunting, it’s not insurmountable. The Oilers need to focus on defending their turf at Rogers Place.
The electrifying atmosphere in Edmonton is a huge boost, energizing the team in crucial moments. The Kings' road struggles, with a 17-19-5 record, present an opportunity for the Oilers.
If Edmonton can secure all three home games, the series could be theirs by winning just once in Los Angeles. That mindset is key to tackling this grueling series.
Key #2: Get on the Board Early
Jumping out to an early lead is vital against a defensively disciplined Kings team. In their last two encounters during the regular season, the Kings struck first and Edmonton couldn't recover.
It’s crucial for the Oilers to set the pace early, especially with the challenge of starting on the road. Scoring first can deflate the home crowd and throw the Kings off their defensive rhythm.
The Kings excel when they score first, boasting a 35-9-4 record in such games, and an intimidating 23-3-1 at home. When they're ahead after two periods, they’re practically untouchable.
Edmonton must dictate the tempo and force Los Angeles out of their comfort zone by striking first.
Key #3: Unlock Depth Scoring
While stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will undoubtedly draw most of the attention, it’s the supporting cast that needs to step up. Players such as Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Vasily Podkolzin, Corey Perry, and Viktor Arvidsson must deliver critical secondary scoring.
Creating chaos in front of goaltender Darcy Kuemper with traffic, screens, and deflections can help the Oilers capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Recent injuries have inadvertently bolstered the depth of the squad as others stepped into more prominent roles, gaining confidence that can be pivotal in the playoffs.
Remaining healthy is the wild card. With Mattias Ekholm confirmed out for the series, getting key players like Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Trent Frederic, Jake Walman, and possibly Evander Kane back from injuries will be vital. Their return could provide the momentum needed for another deep playoff run.
As Connor McDavid put it, “I don’t like the theory that people are counting us out. We’re a great team here.
We’ve had bumps and bruises along the way, but we’re a dangerous team when we’re rolling and we’re healthy. I think you’ll see that over the next little while, and we’re looking forward to showing that.”
This Kings squad may be the toughest Edmonton has faced in recent years, but the Oilers have been here before and know how to get the job done. The skeptics are watching, and it’s time for the Oilers to prove them all wrong.
Stay with us for comprehensive NHL coverage as we kick off the postseason with Game 1 of Oilers vs. Kings on Monday, April 21 at 8 PM MT.
