Oilers vs Kings Prediction & Picks: (April 4): Can Edmonton Win Fifth Straight in Potential First-Round Playoff Preview?

Tuesday, April 4’s NHL schedule sees the Edmonton Oilers aiming for their fifth consecutive win when they face the Los Angeles Kings at crypto.com Arena. While Los Angeles won the first two meetings of the season series, Edmonton was victorious in their most recent clash, leaving time to tell who’ll walk out the victor in the Oilers vs Kings finale.

Since Jan. 10 the Oilers have been the best team in the NHL, with a winning percentage of .771.

Edmonton enters Tuesday's contest against the Kings playing their best hockey during the regular season's most crucial stretch. (@SportsnetSpec) https://t.co/hoj14RR1Rs

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 3, 2023

The Oilers have had a few days to rest following a 6-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Leon Draisaitl led the way with a hat trick to reach the 50-goal plateau while Jack Campbell stopped all 36 shots he faced to tally his first shutout of the 2022-23 season.

Meanwhile, the Kings won their second of back-to-back games with a 4-1 effort against the Vancouver Canucks two days ago. Despite the Canucks getting off to a 1-0 lead early in the game, the rest was all the Kings as they scored four unanswered goals to seal the deal.

For those wondering about Oilers vs Kings betting opportunities, Betting Newshas you covered. Here’s a look at the matchup’s latest odds, as well as a prediction and the best bets for tonight’s action.

Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Edmonton Oilers (45-23-9, 23-11-3 Away) vs. Los Angeles Kings (45-22-10, 25-9-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
• Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2023
• Game Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Oilers vs Kings TV Info: ESPN

Oilers vs Kings Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 4 at 8:44 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+184)
• Los Angeles Kings +1.5 (-225)

Over/Under

• Over 6.5 Goals (-134)
• Under 6.5 Goals (+110)

Moneyline

• Edmonton Oilers -128
• Los Angeles Kings +106

Oilers vs Kings Betting Trends

• Edmonton is 9-1 straight up in its last 10 games.
• Los Angeles is 11-2 straight up in its last 13 home games.
• The total has hit the over in 10 of Edmonton’s last 12 road games.
• The total has hit the under in five of Los Angeles’ last six games.
• The total has hit the under in four of the last five Edmonton-Los Angeles matchups.

Oilers vs Kings Game Preview

If the standings remain where they are for the rest of the season, tonight’s Oilers vs Kings matchup serves as a potential first-round playoff preview.

After all, Los Angeles currently occupies the Pacific Division’s second-place spot with 100 points while Los Angeles is right behind in third with 99. Considering how the Vegas Golden Knights sit first at 103 points while the Seattle Kraken are fourth at 92, this likely won’t be the last time we see the Oilers and Kings square off this month.

Having said that, you only need to go back to last week for the latest clash between these division rivals. The duo met at Rogers Place last Thursday, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Oilers.

The win was just one of nine that the Oilers have picked up over their last 10 games. What’s even more impressive is that they haven’t lost in regulation since March 11.

Unsurprisingly, it’s been Edmonton’s offense that’s gotten the work done over the last 10 games. They’ve outscored opponents 48-27 over that stretch and have scored at least five goals in three of their previous four outings.

Draisaitl has been the Oilers’ top player during that span, pacing his teammates in goals (8), assists (14) and points (22). Connor McDavid isn’t too far behind him with 19 points of his own while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is right there with 17.

MCDAVID 62! ? pic.twitter.com/uL9v0Ig6Ey

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 2, 2023

The Oilers’ power play has also been kicking during their successful run, converting on 12 of the last 31 opportunities (38.7%). Considering how the Kings have the 10th-worst penalty kill in the NHL (75.7%), there’s a good chance that Edmonton will continue finding success on the man advantage.

Nevertheless, winning at crypto.com Arena won’t be easy for the Oilers. The Kings are on a 13-game point streak at home, going 11-0-2 over that stretch. They’re averaging 4.46 goals while owning a 32.6% power-play success rate over that time, meaning they certainly have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Oilers’ attack.

At the end of the day, this game could come down to who gets better goaltending. Stuart Skinner will likely get the nod for the Oilers, per Daily Faceoff. The veteran netminder has won 10 of his last 12 starts, tallying a 2.83 goals-against average and .908 save percentage with a shutout win over the Kings mixed in.

Meanwhile, Joonas Korpisalo will probably start opposite Skinner. Korpisalo has been lights out since joining the Kings last month, going 5-2-1 with a 1.75 GAA and .937 SV% in his first eight starts with the club. Unfortunately, he has a 3.58 GAA and .893 SV% in 11 previous games against the Oilers.

Oilers vs Kings Prediction and Picks

Oilers vs Kings Prediction: Oilers 4, Kings 2

Oilers vs Kings: Oilers ML (Best Value: -128 at BetOnline) & Under 6.5 Goals (Best Value: +110 at BetOnline)

Both teams have been hot lately, but I’m going with the one that’s won nine of its last 10 outings. The Oilers are playing on another level right now and while the Kings have been hot too (especially at home), they were just shut out by Edmonton last week. Throw in the fact that McDavid and Draisaitl are playing like the top two players on the planet and it’s hard imagining Los Angeles getting the win.

I also recommend backing the total finishing with fewer than 6.5 goals. On top of each of Los Angeles’ last four games featuring fewer than 6.5 goals, the total has hit the under in four of the last five Oilers vs Kings matchups. With Stuart shutting the Kings out last week and Korpisalo playing great over the last month, I just don’t expect that much offense tonight.

Other Edmonton vs Los Angeles Betting Resources

• Oilers vs Kings Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats