Oilers vs Kings Game 1 Prediction NHL Playoffs Picks 4/17

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Game Preview: Kings vs Oilers - NHL Playoff Preview and Predictions

The Stanley Cup playoffs are back, and the excitement in the air is palpable as the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers get ready for a highly anticipated first-round matchup. Both teams are eager to start their playoff journey, and this series is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the postseason. As always, NHL picks experts and NHL picks computer programs have been hard at work crunching numbers and analyzing team stats to come up with accurate NHL picks and predictions. It's no secret that NHL picks em predictions and NHL today experts have favorited the Oilers in the Kings vs Oilers matchup, but the playoffs are always full of surprises. The Kings are certainly not to be underestimated, especially with veteran defenseman Drew Doughty leading the charge. Doughty and his team are hungry for redemption after a disappointing first-round exit last year, and they are eager to prove themselves against the Oilers. The main storyline heading into this matchup is the battle between Doughty and Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. Los Angeles' defensemen will have their hands full trying to slow down McDavid, the five-time NHL scoring champion, and the best team he's ever played with. As NHL experts picks today have noted, the Oilers' power play has been unstoppable this season and will be a huge factor in this series. The Kings will need to step up their penalty kill game if they hope to make a dent in the Oilers' offense. All in all, this Kings vs Oilers matchup is sure to be filled with intensity, drama, and excitement. 

Kings: Offensive Analysis

The Kings will have their work cut out for them in their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers. With the league's worst penalty kill, they will need to keep themselves out of the penalty box to have a chance. However, with the speedy and skilled Connor McDavid leading the charge for the Oilers, that will be a tall order. Offensively, the Kings will be without Kevin Fiala, who scored a team-leading 72 points during the regular season. His absence will be felt, and the Kings will need other players to step up and fill the scoring void. The Oilers, on the other hand, have the best power play in NHL history, with a success percentage of 32.4%. They scored 89 goals with the man advantage, 32 of which were by Leon Draisaitl and 21 by McDavid. The Kings' penalty kill will have their hands full trying to stop the Oilers' power play. With new netminders in Pheonix Copley and Joonas Korpisalo after the trade of Jonathan Quick, the Kings' goaltending will be untested in the playoffs. They will need to step up and make big saves if the Kings hope to slow down McDavid and company. Overall, the Kings will need to play their best hockey to have a chance against the dominant Oilers. The offensive firepower of the Oilers combined with the Kings' struggles on the penalty kill make it an uphill battle for the Kings. NHL picks experts and computer programs alike are likely to predict an Oilers victory.

Kings: Defensive Analysis

The Kings face a daunting task in trying to slow down the Edmonton Oilers, led by the dominant Connor McDavid. Los Angeles' defensemen, led by Drew Doughty, will need to be at their best to have any chance of containing the explosive Oilers' offense. One of the main concerns for the Kings is their penalty kill, which was the worst among the 16 NHL playoff teams with a success rate of just 75.8%. With the Oilers boasting the best power play in NHL history by success percentage, Los Angeles will need to find a way to limit their penalties and stay out of the penalty box. In terms of individual matchups, Doughty will likely be tasked with defending McDavid for much of the series. While it's a difficult assignment, Doughty is up for the challenge and relishes the opportunity to play against one of the league's best players. However, Doughty cannot do it alone and will need support from his fellow defensemen to frustrate McDavid and limit his chances. Overall, the Kings' defense will need to play a disciplined and structured game to have any chance of upsetting the Oilers. With some uncertainty in net due to the trade of Jonathan Quick and the injuries to key players like Kevin Fiala and Gabriel Vilardi, Los Angeles will need their defense to step up and help carry the load.

Oilers: Offense Analysis

The Oilers offense is the team's biggest strength and will likely be the determining factor in their playoff success. Led by Connor McDavid, the five-time NHL scoring champion and winner of the Richard Trophy with 64 goals this season, the Oilers have scored a league-leading 325 goals this season. Their power play is also the best in NHL history with a success percentage of 32.4%. Along with McDavid, Leon Draisaitl has also been dominant on the power play, scoring 32 goals with the man advantage. The Kings will have a tough time slowing down the Oilers offense, especially with their less-than-stellar penalty kill. The Kings had the worst penalty kill among the 16 NHL playoff teams, stopping just 75.8% of their opponents' attempts. This leaves a wide-open opportunity for the Oilers to take advantage of their power play and put the Kings in a serious bind. The Oilers have won nine consecutive games and 14 of their final 15 during an 18-2-1 rampage since February. They are drawing more confidence from their two series victories last postseason than their current winning streak, however. This team is in spectacular form heading into the postseason and is poised to make a deep playoff run. In conclusion, NHL picks experts, NHL picks computer programs, and NHL today experts will likely predict the Oilers to come out on top with their offensive dominance. NHL picks and parlay options, along with NHL picks with spread bets, may heavily favor the Oilers in this matchup. The Oilers offense is a superpower, and the Kings' defense will have their hands full trying to contain it.

Oilers: Defensive Analysis

The Oilers' defense will be the key to their success in the playoffs, especially against the Los Angeles Kings and their star player, Drew Doughty. Edmonton's defensive unit has been solid all season, allowing just 2.82 goals per game. They will need to continue their strong play if they hope to slow down Doughty and the Kings' offense in their first-round matchup. One of the Oilers' biggest strengths on defense is their ability to limit shots on goaltender Mikko Koskinen. They allowed just 28.2 shots per game during the regular season, the second-best mark in the league. This puts less pressure on Koskinen to make difficult saves and allows him to focus on the shots that do come his way. Additionally, the Oilers boast a talented group of defenseman themselves, led by Darnell Nurse, who recorded 32 points and a plus-27 rating during the regular season. Edmonton also added veteran blueliner Duncan Keith to their roster in the offseason, providing championship experience and leadership to their defensive corps. The Oilers' penalty kill will also be crucial in their matchup against the Kings, who have struggled on the power play this season. Edmonton's penalty kill was successful 82.5% of the time during the regular season, the eighth-best mark in the league. They will need to continue their strong play on the penalty kill if they hope to slow down Los Angeles' offense. Overall, the Oilers' defense will need to be at their best if they hope to advance past the first round of the playoffs. They have the talent and experience to compete with any team in the league, but will need to execute their defensive game plan to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities. 

Injury Report

Both teams are dealing with some key injuries heading into this first-round playoff matchup. The Kings will be without elite scorer Kevin Fiala for Game 1 due to a lower-body injury that kept him out of the last six games of the regular season. Additionally, Gabriel Vilardi is out with an upper-body injury that has sidelined him for the past nine games. However, defenseman Alexander Edler could return after missing the last five games. Meanwhile, the Oilers are relatively healthy heading into the playoffs. Their winning streak has been aided by the return of forward Evander Kane from an injury that kept him out for much of the regular season. Additionally, superstar Connor McDavid has been playing at an elite level despite dealing with minor ailments throughout the year. When making NHL picks, experts and computer models will have to take these injury factors into consideration. The absence of Fiala could be a significant blow to the Kings' offense, while the Oilers' relative health could give them an advantage in this series. However, both teams will be ready to battle when they step onto the ice for Game 1.

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