On February 10, the Oilers were written off as dead and finished. Accordingly, it was considered a lost season for the Oil. In NHL betting odds desperation, general manager Ken Holland fired head coach Dave Tippett. It was a move that Holland wanted to avoid. But a team led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl out of playoff position was unacceptable. Jay Woodcroft was hired from the Oilers’ minor league system to try and jumpstart a wreck. Subsequently, the move was just what was needed for the Oil.
2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 10 p.m ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB. |
| TV Coverage: | TBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings | +1½ (-148) | 6½ (-105) | +168 |  |
| Oilers | -1½ (+128) | 6½ (-115) | -195 | |
| ||||
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Series Schedule
All Times Eastern *
- Game 1: May 2 – Kings 4 at Oilers 3
- Game 2: May 4 – 10 p.m. – Kings at Oilers – TBS
- Game 3: May 6 – 10 p.m. – Oilers at Kings – TBS
- Game 4: May 8 – 10 p.m. – Oilers at Kings – TBS
- Game 5: May 10 – TBD – Kings at Oilers – TBD
- Game 6: May 12 – TBD – Oilers at Kings TBD
- Game 7: May 14- TBD – Kings at Oilers – TBD
SBG Odds Overview – Underdog Kings Look to Strike Oil
Although the Kings are in the playoffs, their prospects were not considered good. Top defenseman Drew Doughty is out for the season with a wrist injury. Doughty is the straw that stirs the drink for the Kings. However, the Kings have an online wagering asset in Jonathan Quick. The former 2-time Stanley Cup championship goalie for LA can dominate a series. And then Quick sparked the Kings to a Game-1 win and home ice advantage.
Edmonton Flush with Assets in Strong Season
Center Connor McDavid has had a star-crossed NHL betting career with the Oilers. Most important of all, McDavid literally saved the franchise. On the other hand, the Oilers have not met the championship expectations of their fans and the media. McDavid scored 44 goals with 79 assists and a +28 this season.
Lost in the Hype of McDavid is center Leon Draisaitl. In sum, Draisaitl exploded to 55 goals, 55 assists, and a +17 in 2021-22. This is the second season in the previous four where Draisaitl hit the 50-goal plateau. If the German played for any other team, he would man the marquee.
Also, Edmonton is strong on the blueline with such defensemen as Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse.
Of great concern is that top goaltender Mikko Koskinen posted a mediocre save percentage of .901. And that is the great worry of the Oilers and gamblers heading into the playoffs.
Old Champions Remain Kings of LA
Goaltender Jonathan Quick has had a remarkable career turnaround. Of course, Quick was the goalie for the Kings’ two Stanley Cup championship teams. He was expected to be phased out of his number one role this year. Instead, Quick posted a save percentage of .910 with a 2.59 goals against average.
Above all, center Anze Kopitar is one of the best two-way centers in the NHL. Kopitar was the Kings’ top scorer with 19 goals and 48 assists. The leading goal scorer on the Kings was center Adrian Kempe with 35 goals to go with 19 assists.
SBG Best Bet: Los Angeles Kings.