Oilers vs Kings part IV

[Metroid]

Oilers in 3 easy peasy

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Probably the best version of the Kings they’ve faced in the 4 times. But still can’t bet against 97 and 29. Oilers have been playing a bit of rope a dope but key players are getting some rest and getting healthy. Won’t surprise me when they’ve got their full lineup for the first time all year ready to go for game 1.

The narrative heading into the playoffs will be Kings look good/Oilers look bad but people who don’t know any better will be completely shocked when the Oilers all of a sudden turn up.

 

[22Brad Park]

I've been saying for four years that this is the worst possible matchup for a team constructed as the Kings are. As a Kings fan I'd rather play any team in the NHL in a 7-game series.

It's just to hard to try and grind out 3-2 and 2-1 wins vs 97 and 29

Divisional playoffs have been horrible to the Kings.

Hit them hard should be the plan but ya'll never do that.Oilers fans love this matchup because they have owned LA.I think this Kings team though is better then the last 3 playoff meetings.Goaltending will be key.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

How much less lethal do you think he is this year?

Looking at regular season stats I guess he has regressed, but not overwhelmingly. I could be biased toward the playoffs in which he was pretty amazing. I guess he could turn it up again.

His point shot just seemed like a bigger weapon last year although again perhaps that was more so in the playoffs.

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

This Oilers fan wants nothing to do with LA. Not because I'm bored of the matchup but because I think the Kings would actually win this year. They've been knocking on the door for a while

 

[Nemesis Prime]

I think LA wins it this time.

 

[La Bamba]

You play the same team over and over and they'll eventually get you

Kings are a sketchy team to play, I've been nervous all 3 series lmao. Not looking forward to hearing "Kempe"

 

[Herby]

Hit them hard should be the plan but ya'll never do that.Oilers fans love this matchup because they have owned LA.I think this Kings team though is better then the last 3 playoff meetings.Goaltending will be key.

I don't think the Kings have been soft vs the Oilers. The problem is the Kings physicality against the Oilers has led to penalties and being out of position. And the Kings just have no answer for the Oilers PP, no hyperbole in saying this, but I've never seen one NHL PP just completely dominate another NHL PK as much as EDM has done to LA. It's not flukey or run bad, they just somehow are able to find incredible amounts of space on the PP, the Kings collapse low to much and Bouchard is alone at the ladies tees. The Kings have not had good goaltending previously, and this year they do, and maybe that changes things, but I don't think it was poor goaltending that was the cause of many of the Oilers PP goals the last few years, you could give Hasek a pint of the fountain of youth and the Kings still lose the last two years.

I think the way to exploit the Oilers weaknesses is to attack them off the rush, but that is not how the Kings are built to generate offense. Another issue that the Kings have faced, and will face again this year is that during the times the Oilers do feel threatened they just play 97 and 39 together and double shift them. This has come back to bite the Oilers before as the playoffs drag on and the 22-25 min games catch up to them, but that will benefit Vegas and teams that face them later on, since the Kings/Oilers is again a 1st round matchup the Kings are at a great disadvantage in this regard again this season.

Hey, maybe the Kings can bring their lunch-pails and hard-hats, grind them to death, not take penalties, score some greasy goals and make it a series of 3-2 and 2-1 games, but I am not optimistic that is going to happen against 97 and 39. As RJ mentioned in an earlier reply, the Kings have had issues in recent years stopping the superstars of the league, despite being arguably the best defensive team in the NHL over the last four seasons. The Kings are kind of like the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NHL, they play good defense, they are well coached, they have a good culture with a good veteran room, but when it comes time to face Mahomes, Allen and Lamar in the playoffs they just don't have the horses to keep up offensively, and it's just really hard to slow down those types of guys to beat them 20-17

 

[Matty Sundin]

2022: Oilers needed 7 games and had a hard time doing it
2023: Oilers needed 6 games and was still a challenge though not as hard as last year
2024: Oilers needed 5 games and did it with ease

Trend seems to say Oilers will sweep them without breaking a sweat though this is probably the least impressive looking Oilers team heading into the playoffs since 2021 so we’ll see. Styles do make match ups though and Oilers are just a bad match up for the Kings. Skinner has been brutal this year and styles wouldn’t matter much if he completely shits the bed.

 

[Captain Controversy]

I look forward to the rematch. Mcdavid is going to go Nuclear in the playoffs.
Draisaitl has another couple levels in the playoffs.
Kane, Federic and Podzkolzin are going to be wrecking balls.
The oilers defense is better this year.
It will be a good series though. The kings are Dangerous

 

[WATTAGE4451]

I think it will be closer this year, but i am tired of the matchip as a neutral fan

 

[Schennanigans]

It’s going to be a long series this year. You gotta like the kings chances this year to finally do it.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

The current playoff format sucks ass.

Outside the Oil who even wants this matchup again and again.

Oilers fans don't want this matchup anymore than anyone else

 

[Chet Manley]

This Oilers fan wants nothing to do with LA. Not because I'm bored of the matchup but because I think the Kings would actually win this year. They've been knocking on the door for a while

There are no easy outs in the west this year.

 

[KlefDown]

I don’t take the Kings lightly at all and surprised Kings fans are down about facing us again.

Oilers are as shakey right now than they have ever been. Injuries, horrible goaltending, very mid special teams, and list goes on…

Will definitely go to 7

 

[Stealth1616]

I think Kings take it this year. Way too may wildcards/unkowns for Oilers this year. With Frederic, Kane and all the other injuries we have currently. Who knows how they play in the playoffs.

Skinner is a terrifying thought for the playoffs this year

 

[BaileyFan]

The optimist in me just wants to see them beat Edmonton. The pessimist in me knows they won't beat Dallas or Colorado, so an early exit just helps the argument to fire Blake/Luc.

We thought the same thing last year and look how that turned out. Blake and Luc are staying at least another year no matter what. Doughty’s injury was their get out of jail free card and considering they’re still gonna make the playoffs, it’s a done deal.

I think the Oilers sweep the Kings this year but I’d love to be wrong and play spoiler. McDrai only have so many years together and seeing another one of those years go down the drain in the first round a la 2020 or 2021 would be sweet.

 

[Shellz]

God pls no

 

[JTeller97]

If Kings can get home ice and keep the games 5 on 5 I actually like their chances this year

 

[Shark Finn]

:yawn:

 

[Hank Plank]

Oilers win the rematch rematch rematch easily.

 

[sepHF]

the Oilers are pretty banged up. Ekholm and McDavid have been battling injuries pretty much all season. McDavid is also having a down year and the PP is nowhere near as lethal as it has been in years past. I'm really nervous about facing LA this year to be honest

 

[SaltNPeca]

Yes, a bit boring from a matchup perspective tbh. Not that we are taking LA lightly, simply less interesting and engaging.

I feel like most Oiler fans are focused on internal dynamics of the Oilers. They are NOT the well-oiled machine going into 'yoffs like last season.

Arguably a great 1st round series because the Oilers go in with confidence and experience regarding how to beat LA, but likely NEED this series to figure out if they can put another run together.

To all the negative Oiler fans: Remember the playoffs is a new season. Reset everything. "Depth and Goaltending" pundits had us out in the 2nd round last season.

 

[HugginThePost]

It all depends on the PK. If it's otherworldly again, the Oilers move on. I don't think a 94% success rate is repeatable.

I think this year, more than others, the Oilers will need to rely on special teams to make any noise.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I feel for Kings fans as a Leafs fan. Shades of the Bruins for us, are the Oilers for them. I hope they manage to slay the beast