The first-round NHL playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers heads back to Alberta for Game 5 with the series tied up at two games apiece.
The Kings bounced back from a pair of lopsided defeats to blank the Oilers 4-0 on Sunday but oddsmakers are expecting them to lose tonight with NHL betting lines opening with Edmonton as a -200 home favorite.
Here are our best free Kings vs. Oilers NHL picks and predictions for Tuesday, April 1.
Kings vs Oilers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Oilers opened as -200 favorites for this matchup but are now sitting in the -220 to -230 range at most books. The total hit the board at 6.5 and has stayed steady, currently juiced towards the Under at -120.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Kings vs Oilers predictions
Predictions made on 5/10/2022 at 1 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Kings vs Oilers game info
• Location: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
• Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022
• Puck drop: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN2, CBC
Kings vs Oilers series odds
Kings: +200
Oilers: -250
Kings vs Oilers betting preview
Key injuries
Kings: Carl Grundstrom RW (Questionable), Viktor Arvidsson LW (Out), Drew Doughty D (Out), Sean Walker D (Out).
Oilers: Derek Ryan F (Questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Kings vs Oilers head-to-head record this season
Kings: 3-5, 22 goals for.
Oilers: 5-3, 30 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Kings are 2-7 in their last nine games as an underdog. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs. Oilers.
Kings vs Oilers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Puck line analysis
Kings coach Todd McLellan resisted the urge to start backup Cal Peterson in nets in Game 4 and was rewarded with a 31-save shutout by Jonathan Quick. The Kings offense also got going with four goals on 46 shots, and they applied the pressure early with a 20-10 edge in shots after the first frame.
That was much needed bounce-back performance for L.A. after losing by a combined score of 14-2 in this series' previous two contests. It'll be tough for the Kings to continue that strong play as they head back to Rogers Place in Edmonton where the Oilers have won 17 of their last 21 games.
Edmonton has looked sensational since Jay Woodcroft took over as head coach on February 10. The Oilers finished the regular season going 26-9-3 with a plus-40 goal differential under their new bench boss. To be fair, the Kings were pretty good over that same stretch of time, going 20-11-4, but had a much less impressive goal differential of minus-3.
It's tough for L.A. to match up with Edmonton's firepower up front, especially with their best defenseman Drew Doughty done for the season after undergoing wrist surgery.
The Oilers roll out one of the most formidable top two lines in the league, with four-time Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid anchoring the first line and 2020 Hart Trophy recipient Leon Draisaitl centering the second. Signing Evander Kane in January gave them a highly-talented goal-scorer on the wing and being able to play Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the third line gives them the depth they've long needed to make a postseason run.
Edmonton goalie Mike Smith has also been impressive lately, and although he took the loss on Sunday, he turned aside 42 of 45 shots. Smith had a terrific 2020 campaign for the Oilers, and while his numbers dipped this season, he has a sensational 1.59 GAA with a .956 save percentage in his last 12 games.
Expect the Oilers to put that ugly Game 4 loss behind them, and with seven of their last nine wins coming by multiple goals, we're backing them on the puck line.
Prediction: Oilers -1.5 (+115 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
The Oilers are one of the best offensive teams in the league, but we're expecting a tighter-checking, lower-scoring game in this pivotal Game 5 matchup.
We mentioned how red-hot Smith has been in nets lately, and we expect better defensive play from the Oilers after surrendering 46 shots on Sunday. Keep in mind that they allowed a more modest 32.3 shots per game during the regular season and ranked a respectable 13th in the league in high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes.
In addition, the Kings have one of the worst powerplays in the NHL and Edmonton's penalty kill has been the league's best unit since the middle of March, boasting a 90.1% kill rate over their last 26 regular season and playoff games.
The Kings also showed some much more discipline on their own end of the ice in Game 4 and the postseason has often been the place for defensive-minded center Phillip Danault to shine. Take the Under 6.5.
Prediction: Under 6.5 (-115 at Betway)
Best bet
After scoring a pair of goals in Game 2 and getting a hat trick in Game 3, Evander Kane was held off the scoresheet on Sunday. He still had five shots on net in that contest and as long as he plays alongside McDavid, he should get plenty of scoring chances (especially if he can avoid taking dumb penalties).
Kane has registered at least four shots in eight of his last 10 games, averaging 5.5 shots per game over that span. We're taking the Over 3.5 on Kane's shots total today.
Pick: Evander Kane Over 3.5 shots (-110)
