NFL
By Jesse Rosales
These two teams always felt like wild-card contenders for most of the year. The Oilers couldn’t ever get enough momentum to gain traction in the Pacific Division, and the Kings seemed like they were always winning despite what logical thinking would say about them on paper. That’s how it goes sometimes in the NHL. Both teams had fantastic second halves of the regular season and find themselves in what should be an exciting first-round matchup. Let’s review how both of these teams ended their reason season campaigns.
Edmonton Oilers Season Review
The Edmonton Oilers’ season could be summed up by one name. McDavid. Yes, other players played a significant role in the overall success of the team, it is hockey after all. However, this was the year of McDavid. The 26-year-old hit a level that has not been seen in decades, racking up 64 goals, 89 assists, 71 power-play points, 352 shots on net, 89 hits, and a +22 +/- rating in 82 games. He became just the 5th player in NHL history to have over 150 points in a season joining an elite list of NHL Hall of Famers; Phil Esposito, Steve Yzerman, Super Mario Lemieux, and of course, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
In addition to McDavid, the play of Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was imperative in this team going on the run they did to close out the regular season. Edmonton went 14-0-1 to close out the season and both goaltenders posted shutouts and multiple 1-goal-allowed games. Mike Smith played admirably in the playoffs for the Oilers last season, but it’s clear in my mind that Stuart Skinner is an upgrade at the position. The Oilers were, let’s be honest, embarrassed by the sweep from Colorado last season. They are coming in hungry and determined, and have arguably the 2 best hockey players in the world. The year was the season of McDavid, will this be the playoffs of McDavid?
LA Kings Season Review
Admittedly I have been down on the Kings all season. I thought they were fools’ gold from the beginning of the season given their horrendous goal differential in the first half of the season and their lack of defense and below-average goaltending. So what do they do? They go out at the trade deadline and address BOTH weaknesses bringing in goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. It was a bittersweet trade deadline move as they got better in both areas but saw the departure of longtime team hero in Jonathan Quick. The Kings ultimately went 5-5-0 in their final 10 games, which kept them above the Seattle Kraken for 3rd in the Pacific Divison.
Stanley Cup Playoff Rd 1 Prediction
I still have doubts, and I believe valid ones, that the Kings can keep up with the offensive juggernaut that is the Edmonton Oilers. I would say the goalie comparison is a wash at this point with neither team having a clear advantage in that area. I would give the Kings a slight advantage on defense but to me, Edmonton are just head and shoulders above the Kings offensively. Not to mention that I truly believe Edmonton is coming in with a chip on their shoulders and a mission to complete.
Edmonton is a -280 favorite according to Vegas odds makers. There isn’t any meat left on that bone to make it a worthwhile bet, but I do like the Oilers -1.5 games at -120. I’m taking the Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid, and this high-powered Pacific Divison team to win in 6 games against the Kings.
For more NHL news and updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter @5280Jesse and Team NBS Media
