For the third consecutive year, the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers will clash in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Oilers have emerged victorious in the previous two encounters, and our analysis suggests that Edmonton might continue this trend.

Series Outlook

Key Matchup Details

Game 1: Monday 22nd April, 2024.
Location: Rogers Place, Edmonton
Season Series: Edmonton won 3-1

The Edmonton Oilers, led by NHL superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have excelled under the guidance of head coach Kris Knoblauch, boasting the best record in the league post his appointment, while the Kings, with interim coach Jim Hiller, have shown significant improvement, posing a formidable challenge with a deep and well-rounded lineup.

Edmonton Oilers: A Formidable Force

Under Knoblauch’s leadership, the Oilers have not only topped the league standings but have also maintained impressive offensive stats that they’re expected to carry into the playoffs.

Despite a slight dip in their penalty kill performance in the latter half of the season, their elite possession and goal shares, paired with a strong power-play, make them a daunting opponent.

Players to Watch:

• Connor McDavid
• Leon Draisaitl

Los Angeles Kings: Underdogs with Potential

While the Kings have been an analytical darling throughout the season, showing strong goals and expected goals percentages, concerns remain about their goaltending and penalty-killing abilities, especially against Edmonton’s high-powered offense.

The Kings’ improved shooting percentage suggests they can compete, but sustaining elite goaltending against such a robust offense will be crucial.

Key Statistics:

• Improved PDO throughout the season
• Declining possession numbers but strong analytical metrics

Series Result Odds

Team	To win 4-0	To win 4-1	To win 4-2	To win 4-3
Kings	+2000	+1000	+600	+460
Oilers	+750	+400	+425	+400

Via BetOnline

Considering Edmonton’s home-ice advantage and their success in the season series, betting on the Oilers to win seems promising, especially in five or seven games. The Kings present an interesting challenge, but Edmonton’s overall team strength and postseason experience are likely to prevail.

With both teams showing strengths in different areas, this series promises to be an intriguing battle. However, Edmonton’s offensive firepower and solid track record in the playoffs make them the favorites to advance.

How The NHL Playoffs Work

1. Playoff Structure

The NHL playoffs consist of four rounds of series. Each series is a best-of-seven format, meaning the first team to win four games in the series advances to the next round. The playoffs include 16 teams: the top three teams from each of the four divisions and two wild-card teams from each conference (Eastern and Western).

2. Seeding and Matchups

The division winners are seeded 1 through 3 in their respective conferences, based on their regular-season points totals. The wild-card teams are seeded seventh and eighth in their conference, also based on their regular-season points, regardless of division. The first-round matchups are as follows:

• The first seed (division winner with the most points) plays the second wild card.
• The second seed (division winner with the second-most points) plays the first wild card.
• The third and fourth seeds (the other division winner and the highest-ranking non-division winner) play the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively.

3. Home-Ice Advantage

Home-ice advantage in the NHL playoffs is determined by regular-season points. The higher-seeded team hosts games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower-seeded team hosts games 3, 4, and 6. This advantage can play a significant role in the series due to the support of the home crowd and the familiarity of playing in a home arena.

4. Playoff Rounds

• First Round (Division Semifinals): The first round pits the seeded teams against each other as described above.
• Second Round (Division Finals): The winners of the first round within each division face off. The matchups depend on the seeding and the results of the first round.
• Conference Finals: The winners of the division finals from each conference play each other to determine the conference champions.
• Stanley Cup Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions face off in the final round to compete for the Stanley Cup.