Kings vs Oilers Game 4 Prediction NHL Playoffs 4/23

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Oilers vs Kings (Apr 23, 2023) Pregame - Kings Host the Oilers with 2-1 Series Lead

The NHL playoffs are heating up, and the Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers in the first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. As the teams gear up for their eighth match this season, NHL picks experts, including nhl picks computer, nhl picks em predictions, and nhl today experts, are hotly debating which team will come out on top. NHL picks and parlay, nhl experts picks today, and other prediction tools are all pointing towards what is sure to be an exciting game. The Kings are 47-25-10 overall with a 17-9-3 record against the Pacific Division. With a +20 scoring differential, and total goals scored and given up at 274 and 254 respectively, the Kings have proven themselves to be a tough contender. Meanwhile, the Oilers have a 50-23-9 record overall and a 20-6-3 record in Pacific Division games. They lead the NHL with 325 total goals (4.0 per game), and their top performers, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, are sure to bring their A-game to the rink. If we look at the last ten games, the Kings are 6-4-0, while the Oilers are 8-0-2, showing impressive form as they head into this crunch game. However, both teams have some injuries to contend with, with the Kings' Blake Lizotte and Kevin Fiala listed as day to day, and Edmonton's Ryan Murray, Oscar Klefbom, and Mattias Janmark all out. Mike Smith is also out for the Oilers due to an undisclosed injury. The game is slated for Sunday, 9 p.m. EDT, with Oilers favored at -154 and Kings at +131, and over/under at 6.5. NHL picks odds, nhl picks and parlays, and nhl picks today all point towards a close game, but only time will tell which team will come out on top in what promises to be an exciting game.

Oilers Offense Analysis:

The Edmonton Oilers have one of the most impressive offensive units in the NHL, with a league-leading 325 total goals scored this season. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are the dynamic duo leading the charge for the Oilers, with Draisaitl's 52 goals and 76 assists and McDavid's six goals and seven assists in the last 10 games. The Oilers' offense is a force to be reckoned with, and they will need to bring their A-game to overcome the Los Angeles Kings' 2-1 series lead. While the Kings have a solid defense, they have struggled to keep up with Edmonton's offensive prowess, giving up an average of 3.8 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes in their last 10 games. NHL picks experts and NHL picks computer algorithms both heavily favor the Oilers in this matchup, and for good reason. With the best NHL bets today, the Oilers are expected to dominate the Kings' defense and put up plenty of goals. If the Oilers can continue their offensive dominance and take advantage of the Kings' penalties, they have a great chance of tying up the series and potentially even taking the lead. Look for Draisaitl and McDavid to continue their hot streaks and lead the Oilers to victory in what promises to be a high-scoring matchup.

Oilers: Defensive Analysis

The Edmonton Oilers are heading into a crucial Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings with their backs against the wall, trailing 2-1 in the series. In order for them to avoid elimination, they will need to play strong defensive hockey and limit the Kings' scoring opportunities. The Oilers have a skilled defensive corps led by Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie, who have been solid throughout the regular season. Nurse leads the team in ice time and has been a key contributor to the team's success. Barrie, on the other hand, provides a lot of offensive upside from the blue line and has been a key point producer on the power play. In addition, the Oilers have a strong goaltender duo in Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith. Although Smith is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury, Koskinen has been strong in his absence, limiting the Kings to just four goals over the last two games. The team will need Koskinen to continue his strong play and make timely saves in order to keep the game within reach. The Oilers' penalty kill has been solid this season, ranking 10th in the league with an 82.5% success rate. Limiting the Kings' power play opportunities will be key in keeping the game close, as they have a lethal power play unit led by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Overall, the Oilers have a strong defensive unit that can keep the game close and give them a chance to win. However, they will need to step up their game and limit the Kings' high-powered offense in order to avoid elimination and force a Game 5.

Kings: Offense Analysis

In this highly anticipated matchup between the Oilers and Kings, the offensive strategies of both teams will be put to the test. The Kings come into the game with a 2-1 series lead and know that a win will put them in a commanding position to close out the series. When it comes to NHL picks, experts have their eyes on the Oilers' offense, which has been on fire in the last 10 games, averaging 3.6 goals per game. However, the Kings have also been solid on offense, averaging three goals per game in the same span. Computer NHL picks and EM predictions have both given the Oilers the edge in this matchup, but the Kings are not to be underestimated. They have several key players who have been performing well on offense, including Adrian Kempe, who has 41 goals and 25 assists this season, and Anze Kopitar, with three goals and 10 assists in his last 10 games. In terms of NHL picks and parlays, experts highlight the fact that the Oilers have scored a league-leading 325 total goals this season, but it's important to note that the Kings have a better scoring differential (+20) than the Oilers (+15). The best NHL bets today may not be clear-cut, but with the Kings holding a home-ice advantage and a series lead, they may have the momentum to pull off the upset. Expect them to come out strong on offense and make a statement against a tough Oilers team. Overall, the offense analysis for the Kings looks promising, and they will need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities if they want to come out on top in this crucial playoff game.

Kings: Defensive Analysis

As the Los Angeles Kings prepare to host the Edmonton Oilers in their fourth playoff game matchup, their defense will be key in maintaining their 2-1 series lead. The Kings have a strong defensive lineup, led by Drew Doughty, who has been a stalwart on the team's blue line for years. Another key defenseman is Sean Walker, who has been a solid contributor on both ends of the ice this season. The Kings' defensive unit will need to be on their toes to prevent the high-scoring Oilers from finding the back of the net. The Oilers have scored an incredible 325 goals during the regular season, averaging a league-best 4.0 goals per game. The Kings' defense will need to limit the effectiveness of Oilers' top scorers, including the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. In addition, the Kings' goaltending will be crucial in securing a win against the Oilers. Jonathan Quick has been a dependable presence in goal for the Kings, with a .919 save percentage this season. He will need to be sharp and make key saves to give the Kings a chance to win. Overall, the Kings' defense will need to be strong and cohesive in their efforts to limit the Oilers offensive attack. If they can successfully shut down the Oilers, the Kings will have a chance to extend their series lead and move one step closer to advancing in the playoffs.

Injury Report

Injuries can play a significant role in the outcome of any game, and this matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings is no exception. Let's take a closer look at the injury report for both teams. The Kings will be without Blake Lizotte and Kevin Fiala, both of whom are day-to-day with lower body injuries. Lizotte is a key member of their forward group and plays a significant role on special teams, so his absence will be felt. Fiala, on the other hand, was acquired at the trade deadline and has struggled to make a substantial impact since his arrival. Nonetheless, his absence will mean that the Kings will have to rely more heavily on their other forwards. The Oilers, meanwhile, have a few more significant injury concerns. Ryan Murray and Oscar Klefbom have been out for an extended period due to back and shoulder injuries, respectively. These two defensemen play important roles on the Oilers' blue line and provide key minutes in all situations. Without them, Edmonton's defensive unit will be stretched thin. Additionally, forward Mattias Janmark is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, meaning his availability for this crucial game is uncertain. Finally, goaltender Mike Smith is out with an undisclosed injury, which means that Mikko Koskinen will likely get the start in net. 

Prediction: