Series Talk: [P2] Los Angeles Kings Vs [P3] Edmonton Oilers

[Three On Zero]

Taking the Kings in 6 here. Obviously the Oilers have McDrai but they're also missing Ekblad and Skinner is streaky. I just think the Kings finally slay their demon.

Ekblad?

 

[McFlash97]

If the Kings lose this one, just fold the franchise. Oilers and thier injury issues are riped for a loss. On the other hand, if the Oilers wake up from thier slumber and the 4 key guys returning from Injury look 100 % , they could win a cup. No in between here.

 

[SomaliHackey]

If the Kings lose this one, just fold the franchise. Oilers and thier injury issues are riped for a loss. On the other hand, if the Oilers wake up from thier slumber and the 4 key guys returning from Injury look 100 % , they could win a cup. No in between here.

McDavid literally just said everyone is healthy and good to go for game 1 except Ekholm.

Stop making excuses...Oilers are the better team and will win this series.

 

[SomaliHackey]

This is proof why the current format is a failure. The NHL's argument was that this would create rivalries. Kings and Oilers will be facing in the playoffs for the 4th straight year, yet their is no genuine rivalry. Kings still have a greater rivalry with the Sharks and they haven't met in the playoffs since 2016. Maple Leafs and Sens still have one of the best rivalries in the league and this year will be the first time they meet in the playoffs since 2004

Rivalries develop organically. You can't force them to happen.

I would definitely say there's a real rivalry with Edmonton & LA.

 

[Jarvi]

All year I have kinda been suspecting we flame out in the 1st round, but since McDavid came back he has hit another gear. Looks better than he has all season, the depth guys are all playing well, and Draisaitl just had a nice long break. Im liking the confidence coming from Kane, and the talk of the other injured guys besides Ekholm. I think they blow the Kings doors off.

LA steals 1 game on the back of Kuemper, and that's it.

 

[Osprey]

Me, upon seeing the Kings and Oilers will face each other in the 1st round for the FOUTH year in a row.

You know it's bad when even real rivals who truly hate the Kings are tired of seeing them lose to the same team every year. Sharks and Ducks fans are like "Can't some OTHER team embarrass the Queens for a change? /yawn"

 

[SharksFan1992]

You know it's bad when even real rivals who truly hate the Kings are tired of seeing them lose to the same team every year. Sharks and Ducks fans are like "Can't some OTHER team embarrass the Queens for a change? /yawn"

It's boring from a hockey fan perspective.

As a Sharks fan, a part of me does enjoy seeing the Kings stuck in this Dormammu-esque timeloop hell they can't escape. Karma for 2014.

 

[Osprey]

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Is Kane healthy? He's gonna be an x factor

 

[Captain Controversy]

The physicality is going to wear the kings out in 5 games or less.

 

[Bank Shot]

Honestly, I forgot those guys were that unproductive in the first round last year. I guess the fact that the PP went supernova really overwhelmed LA and won EDM that series. I'm not sure their PP will get that hot again in this year's series. They may need some points from guys like Kapanen, Skinner, Podkolzin and Arvidsson.

All those guys that the Oilers let go were pretty much non factors in last year's playoffs with the exception of Holloway.

Foegele and McLeod have been bad in the playoffs for their entire Oilers careers.

Broberg wasn't really given a chance, but he was kind of uneven when he did play, and the Oilers weren't in a position over the last couple of years to tolerate mistakes from a guy without clear big offensive upside.

 

[Bank Shot]

I just didn’t want to bother you on your home boards

That's some weird ass behavior.

 

[BertMcDrai]

Everything points in LA`s favor.

They had the better season, home ice, great numbers at home.
Oilers are missing their #1 D, goaltending is still a big question mark, almost every important forward is injured or banged up.

On the other hand, if Drai comes back Game 1 in his regular season form, I can't see someone stopping him from LA.

If the goaltending is somewhere around 0,90% and Drai is back to his MVP form, Oilers in 6.
If one of both does not happen, LA in 6.

 

[Coffee]

That's some weird ass behavior.

Don’t let me get in your guys heads, bucko

By the way, Bank Shot

I’m not the bad guy, okay?

 

[BertMcDrai]

Trust me you are on a very small island when you compare a player like McDavid to Draisaitl.

Draisaitl this season >>>> McD
McD over the last years > Drai

 

[Bank Shot]

Don’t let me get in your guys heads, bucko

By the way, Bank Shot

I’m not the bad guy, okay?

Every stalker thinks he's the good guy.

 

[Coffee]

Every stalker thinks he's the good guy.

My bad, big homie.. I didn’t know it looked like that.

ill stop tagging you, you hard-ass

 

[AvalancheRy]

If I was to describe the Oilers this season it's this.

1. Carry the play with insane pressure and many scoring chances.
2. Convert on very very few of them.
3. Give up an absolute gaffer via give away or shoddy goaltending.

A typical Oilers game.
1. Outshoot and out chance opponent - at best a 1 goal lead.
2. Same chances - at best a tie
3. Less chances - at best 1 goal down

The games ALWAYS end up close and that's where L.A can take advantage of the Oilers. By finishing the chances they get. I don't think L.A will out chance the Oilers. But they can definitely out convert the Oilers.

I'd be shocked if L.A didn't come out of this series at least thinking.. damn Kemper was awesome. No team makes the opposing goalie look like Brodeur like the Oilers. They are that terrible at converting chances imo.

*exclaimer - Shit your pants when Leon shoots. He's the exception to the rule on the team

I'd actually like to see a deepdive on the stats on this. Avs have a similar problem. A lot of times, carrying the play doesn't even result in powerplay advantages.

I wonder if the optimal way to play is to concede chances that you can control, have good goaltending, and play counterattack hockey.

 

[Mr grumpy]

Sticking to the 4 games sweep for the Kings

 

[MessierII]

Is Kane healthy? He's gonna be an x factor

Yeah he’s going to play game 1. Going to be interesting to see how he is. He’s skating well in practice.

 

[57special]

I've got Kings in 7, but it could easily go the other way. I like the structure that the Kings play with, and their depth. but McDavid might be a top 5 player All Time, and Drai might be the Hart winner.

Still, do i trust their depth, defense(Ekholm out?), or goaltending? Nah.

 

[GreeningOil]

Edmonton , Badminton , Smellington ….. Kings in 5

Oilers , Coilers , Soilers ….. Kings in 5


Lol i voted for Kings in 6 but i know better than to count Mcdavid and Draisaitl out as they are more than enough just themselves to take us out but of there is any year i am optimistic its this year but not enough to let me get cocky or ahead of myself .

Looking forward to the series to see how we play this time around because i truly believe we got better and the Oilers got worse than last year . Losing Holloway , Mcleod , Foegele and Broberg is going to hurt them because they had their young legs and speed you need in the playoffs and timely secondary goals that make all the difference in the postseason but their biggest loss will be Ekholm their true number 1 dman and Drai and Mcdavid not being 100% . Dayum if not this year then it’ll be never

Go Kings Go !!

I think this series is going 7. Likely OT.

3-2 Oil in game 7

 

[GreeningOil]

Is Kane healthy? He's gonna be an x factor

The McCheat is on! (Yes I believe he will be ready)

 

[HanSolo]

Can't they both lose?

 

[Mobiandi]

The Kings are not built for the playoffs and haven't been since 2014. This will be another quick one