NHL Playoffs Game 4 Odds & Prediction: Oilers vs. Kings (May 8)

Oilers vs. Kings Game 4 Odds

The Edmonton Oilers will look to extend their series lead to 3-1 on Sunday night when they take on the LA Kings in this best-of-seven series.

The Kings were able to steal a win on the road in Game 1, but so far that is the only luck they have had. Edmonton immediately stormed back in Game 2 and cruised to a 6-0 victory. In Game 3 it was all Edmonton once again as the Oilers found the back of the net eight times.

There is a lot of momentum shifting in Edmonton's favor, but as we've seen before, anything can happen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Does that mean we will see the Kings put up a better fight and even the series at two wins apiece, or will the Oilers continue their dominance and grab another win before heading back home for Game 5?

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Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers started off the 2021-22 season red hot, winning eight of their first 10 games and truly looking like contenders.

However, toward the middle of the season this team plummeted in the standings, at one point losing 13 games in a 15 game stretch from the beginning of December to the end of January.

Given the talent this team has up top, it was hard to imagine that stretch of poor hockey would continue and define their season. Eventually Edmonton turned things around and it appears this team is right back to where the started this season at.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers are dominating on the offensive end of the ice. Out of the 16 teams to make the postseason, Edmonton ranks second overall in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF/60) with 3.69 in 5-on-5 situations and they are generating an incredible 16.6 High Danger Chances per 60 minutes in similar situations.

Furthermore, this team ranks No. 1 in the postseason in total goals scored in 5-on-5 situations with 10 — ahead of Carolina (8) and Toronto (7).

The defense has looked vulnerable at some points, but the scoring attack, combined with Mike Smith's play in net, has allowed Edmonton to build several leads in this series. It is likely we see Smith in net again in this one and so far in the postseason he has 1.3 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) and an SV% of .935.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings had a promising regular season, but so far in the playoffs they have struggled to contain the Oilers and simply have not had the offensive fire power to keep up.

Through three games, the Kings are being outscored 18-5, a margin that is quite obviously not good enough to remain competitive against any opponent.

During the regular season, Los Angeles put up a good fight on the defensive end of the ice, a big reason why they find themselves in the postseason. According to Natural Stat Trick, in 5-on-5 situations LA ranked 12th overall in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and gave up the eighth fewest goals, showing they are more than capable of keeping pucks in front of them.

However, in this first round series the Kings rank 15/16 in xGA/60 and High Danger Chances Against in 5-on-5, further proving that Edmonton might have figured this team out.

Oilers vs. Kings Pick

The Oilers have the clear advantage on the offensive end of the ice and I think it is smart to continue to ride the hot hand.

Not only are the Oilers getting plenty of pucks on net, but their efficiency has been great through three games. Their efficiency was especially good in Game 3, a matchup where they scored eight total goals on 37 shots.

Given the odds currently sitting at -150, I like Edmonton to continue its hot streak on the offensive end of the ice and think it will extend its series lead to 3-1. I'd play it to -160.

Pick: Oilers ML (-150)