Kings vs Oilers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NHL Playoffs Game 1 (Offenses Take Backseat in Close-Fought Clash)

The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs officially begin on Monday, April 17. The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers are in action to begin the week, playing Game 1 of their opening-round series at Rogers Place at 10 p.m. ET.

Kings vs Oilers Game 1 Info

• Date: Monday, April 17, 2023
• Time: 10 p.m. ET
• Venue: Rogers Place -- Edmonton, Alberta
• Coverage: ESPN

This is a rematch from the first round of last year's playoffs, which saw the Oilers advance to the next stage in seven games. The Pacific Division rivals split this year's four-game regular-season series two games apiece, leaving time to tell if this postseason collision will be just as close.

Can the Kings get revenge for last postseason's elimination? Or will the Oilers prove that history repeats itself?

Kings vs Oilers Odds & Spread

• All NHL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: LA: (+158) | EDM: (-194)
• Spread: LA: +1.5 (-164) | EDM: -1.5 (+136)
• Total: 6.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Oilers enter this contest as home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 6.5 goals with both sides being available at -110 odds.

Kings vs Oilers Betting Trends

• Los Angeles is 9-4 straight up in its last 13 games played in April.
• Edmonton is 9-1 straight up in its last 10 home games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Los Angeles' last six road games.
• The total has hit the under in five of Edmonton's last six games against Los Angeles.

Kings vs Oilers Prediction & Pick

It's hard to doubt the Oilers heading into the playoffs when they're on a nine-game winning streak. They've excelled at both ends of the ice, outscoring opponents 39-14 over that run. The special teams units are also getting things down, proven by a 40.0% success rate on the power play, as well as 92.6% on the penalty kill.

Unfortunately, trips to Edmonton haven't been kind to the Kings over the last few years. They're just 4-9 straight up in their last 13 games at Rogers Place, getting shut out 2-0 in their latest trip on March 30. Considering how the Oilers have also won nine of their last 10 home games, victory won't be easy for the Kings.

At the end of the day, the Kings just have too much on their plate. Not only do they have to break their curse in Edmonton, but they also have to shut down the Oilers' trio of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who combined for 385 points this season.

It'll be an exciting matchup due to the bad blood between these clubs, but the Oilers will get things done.

Final Score Prediction: Oilers: 3 | Kings: 2

Kings vs Oilers Best Bet

For tonight's best bet, I'm going with the under on the 6.5-goal total. It makes a ton of sense given that the under is 6-3 in Los Angeles' last nine games, as well as 5-2 in Edmonton's latest seven. That's even to mention that the total has finished with fewer than 6.5 goals in five of the last six encounters between these teams.

Averaging just 4.6 total goals in their last five clashes at Rogers Place, look for the Kings and Oilers to produce fewer goals than projected.

Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-110)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.