The LA Kings are returning home with their win streak intact as they were able to beat the Utah Hockey Club by a final score of 4-2. It wasn't their best hockey but they were able to find a win and that is a solid indication of good hockey teams when they can still get the win when they aren't necessarily playing their best.
They are now returning to Crypto.com Arena for an afternoon showdown with the Edmonton Oilers, who are only two points back of the Kings in the standings. If the season was to end today, the Kings and Oilers would be meeting in the first round of the playoffs.
This would be the fourth straight season the two teams have met but this time the Kings would have the home ice advantage and that is why this game is so critical for Los Angeles to get the win. The game on Saturday will be the first of two times the Kings play Edmonton in the final seven games.
A win would certainly give the Kings momentum and a pretty significant lead of four points with only six games left. These are three things to know about this game between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers will be without their two best players
While this could be a preview somewhat of the first round of the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers are coming into this game very short-handed. They have been without their captain Connor McDavid since March 20th and while he should be back for the playoffs, he won't be back for this game.
The Oilers have done a decent job managing the absence of McDavid but it doesn't get any easier for them as Leon Draisaitl will also miss this game. He suffered an injury on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks which is being classified as "short-term". The Oilers have already ruled him out for the game against the Kings.
Home team has won the first two meetings this season
These two teams have met twice already this season and the home team has won early games. Their first meeting was December 28th at Crypto.com Arena in a game that the Kings would win 4-3 in overtime with Quinton Byfield scoring the game-winner. It was a back-and-forth contest where the Oilers took the early lead before the Kings responded with two straight.
In the second period it was the Oilers who had two of their own to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. Tanner Jeannot would tie it up early in the third period before Byfield had his eight goal of the season in overtime.
The other meeting was a few weeks later in Edmonton and was much more low-scoring as the Oilers would win 1-0 with the only goal coming in the second period by Connor McDavid. This was a pretty even contest between the two teams as both teams had 30 shots on goal and a faceoff win percentage of 51.6% for the Kings and 48.4% for the Oilers.
Both games have been very close and the margin of error has been small.
Both teams entering with a three-game win streak
While the Oilers are missing key players, both teams are coming in with some serious momentum. The Kings have won three straight and are 7-3 over the last 10 games while the Oilers have won three straight and are 7-2-1 over the last 10 games.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 2
This is a game that the Kings have plenty of reason to feel confident coming into this game as they have the best record in the NHL in home games and the Oilers are missing their two best players. However, it is not something that can be taken for granted or assumed they are just going to win for those reasons.
I don't believe that will happen and the Kings will find a way to get the win that is sealed with an empty net goal at the end of the game to send the fans home happy.