LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers projected lineups, odds, notes

The LA Kings are back at Crypto.com Arena on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers with another chance to close the gap on first place Vegas.

Projected Lineups

LA Kings (23-14-6)

Here’s how the Kings skated in their convincing 5-1 win over Vegas on Saturday:

Tonight's @LAKings Line Rushes –

Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Iafallo – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Lizotte – Vilardi
Lemieux – Kupari – Anderson-Dolan

Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker

Copley
Quick

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) January 8, 2023

Edmonton Oilers (21-17-3)

After building a 2-0 lead against Colorado on Saturday, Edmonton fell in a shootout. Here’s how they lined up:

Kostin – McDavid – Yamamoto
Hyman – Draisaitl – Nugent-Hopkins
Janmark – McLeod – Puljujarvi
Ryan – Holloway

Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Barrie
Broberg – Bouchard
Niemelainen

Skinner

5-on-5

Here’s how the two teams match up at 5-on-5 per Natural Stat Trick

I don’t think it’s out of line to say that the LA Kings are simply a better hockey team, top to bottom, than the Edmonton Oilers. The 5-on-5 save percentage may look like a big discrepancy there, but over the last ten games, the Kings hold a .937 while Edmonton’s is .921.

Special Teams

In addition to above-average goaltending, the Oilers power play is what’s keeping them in the hunt. As expected, they are lethal. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each have 14 power play goals and 39 and 31 points with the man advantage, respectively.

Betting Odds

Let’s look at the odds, courtesy of Betstamp.

*Note: the odds below are for sports books offered in New York. Refer to available sports books specific to your state.

**Odds as of 11 am ET/8 am PT may have changed since this was published.

This one is pretty much a toss-up in the betting market. Multiple books are offering the hosts at -110 while it’s pretty similar for Edmonton as well. Though, for the visitors, you can find a -104 at FanDuel.

The total on the game is 6.5 across the board with FanDuel offering the Over at -110 and DraftKings has the Under at Even money.

I do think the Kings are a better team, but I think this game is appropriately priced. Last night you could find LA closer to Even money and if it creeps there again, I’d be more apt to get involved there.

News & Notes

• The Kings are coming off a statement win, 5-1, in Vegas to inch closer to the top of the Pacific Division. When adjusted for the score, LA held a 54% CF% and 53% xGF% at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick).
• One downside to the game was the performance of the Anze Kopitar line. He, Quinton Byfield, and Adrian Kempe were out-attempted 13-3 and were held without a single scoring chance (per Natural Stat Trick) at 5-on-5.
• Barring a back-to-back situation, which this is not, the Kings have no reason not to continue to ride Pheonix Copley. His .904 save percentage may not sound like anything special, but considering the league average is around .908, it’s in the ballpark. And it looks fantastic next to Jonathan Quick’s .884. Copley is now 10-2 since being called up.
• Despite leading by two goals on Saturday, the performance was one of their worst of the season. They had just 34% of the shot attempts and 20% of the expected goals at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick).
• Kevin Fiala’s hat trick on Saturday has him up to 42 points in 43 games this season. He has seven points in his last five games.
• LA has won five straight games against Pacific Division opponents, with their last defeat coming in the 9-8 loss to Seattle at the end of December.

(Main Photo Credit: NHL.com)