The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, both from the Pacific Division, are set to begin their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs journey with a Game 1 clash in Los Angeles on Monday. This playoff series marks the fourth consecutive year these divisional rivals have met in the first round. After the regular season, the Kings and Oilers secured the second and third positions in their division, respectively, each demonstrating strong form with four wins in their last five games. Interestingly, the Kings dominated their regular season head-to-head matchups against the Oilers, winning three out of four games, including a decisive 5-0 shutout victory in Edmonton most recently.
Game Details
The puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Expert Game 1 Predictions
Here are some top picks for the Kings vs. Oilers Game 1 matchup:
Kings Moneyline (-127)
In their most recent regular-season encounters, the Kings displayed strong defensive play against the Oilers, achieving shutouts in both games: a 3-0 win in Los Angeles on April 5 and a 5-0 victory in Edmonton on April 14. Since the NHL trade deadline on March 7, the Kings have been among the league`s top-performing teams, boasting a record of 17-5-0. Their home ice advantage is further strengthened by their solid defense, allowing an average of just 1.98 goals per game in Los Angeles. Statistical models predict the Kings have a strong likelihood of winning Game 1, with simulations showing them victorious in over 60% of outcomes.
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points (+120)
Connor McDavid, a five-time Art Ross Trophy recipient, enters the playoffs with impressive offensive momentum, having accumulated 11 assists in his last five games. He has recorded two points against the Kings this season (one goal and one assist) and notably tallied five assists against them in Game 1 of their first-round series last year. The odds for this prop bet are listed at +120.
Quinton Byfield to Score a Goal (+310)
While not as widely recognized as McDavid, Quinton Byfield, the young center, has been a significant contributor in the Kings-Oilers games this season. Byfield has scored three goals in four games against Edmonton this season and has maintained a strong scoring streak leading into the playoffs, with four goals in his last five games. He is listed at +310 to score a goal in Game 1.
Elton Marrow