Tip: Oilers have much to play for despite clinching playoff spot

Injury report as of april 4
Oilers: Ryan Murray: Out (Back), Mike Smith: Out (Undisclosed), Ryan McLeod: Questionable (Undisclosed)

Kings: Alexander Edler: Questionable (Upper Body), Kevin Fiala: Questionable (Undisclosed), Gabriel Vilardi: Questionable (Upper Body), Mikey Anderson: Questionable (Undisclosed)

The Battle of the Western Conference

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Kings finished their road trip on a high note, securing two consecutive wins and securing a playoff spot. In their game against the Seattle Kraken, the Kings managed to keep a tight defense, allowing only one goal and securing a 3-1 win with an empty-netter from Kevin Fiala. The Kings faced a slow start in their game against the Vancouver Canucks, but after a low-scoring middle frame, they pulled ahead and won 4-1. The Kings' goaltending duo, Joonas Korpisalo and Pheonix Copley, have been reliable, allowing two regulation goals or fewer in 14 of their last 15 games. With these wins, the Kings have clinched a playoff spot for the second year in a row. However, the Pacific Division remains tight, with the Vegas Golden Knights holding top spot and the Kings and Edmonton Oilers within four points.

Los Angeles will face the Vegas Golden Knights in their next match followed by the Colorado Avalanche. On the other hand, the Oilers have an easier schedule ahead of them, facing Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks (two times) before the end of the regular season. It's hard to overstate how important tonight's match is for both teams, as the winner will give themselves a fair chance to challenge Vegas for the division as well as the conference title.

The most dynamic offense in the league

With the most dynamic offense in the league, the Oilers have the ability to overcome their mistakes by simply outscoring their opponents this season. Their impressive record of 306 goals, the highest in the league, and a goal differential of plus-52, the best in the Western Conference, proves this point. However, the Oilers rank towards the bottom third of the league in goals conceded, with a total of 254, the worst among all playoff teams. While Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell's back-to-back shutouts against the Kings and Ducks helped to improve their defensive record, conceding goals remains an area of concern heading into the playoffs. However, this is not news, the Oilers are unbalanced and very top-heavy. With players like McDavid and Draisaitl, anything else would just be unreasonable anyway.

Conclusion and prediction

Los Angeles has really stepped up their game after the All-Star break and has looked much better compared to earlier in the season. Their stable defense, partly led by the NHL's "best-kept secret" Mickey Anderson, has been difficult to break through. However, Kevin Fiala, Mickey Anderson, and Gabriel Vilardi are all unclear if they will be fit to play. Heavy setbacks if it turns out they miss the match.

Edmonton has been on a hot streak lately and continues to score goals at will. In a must-win game against their division rivals, the Kings are in for a tough challenge. Additionally, with the possibility of missing a few key players, it only strengthens my conviction that I want to bet on the Edmonton Oilers in this match. I like to lean towards a win in regulation when so much is at stake, and the difference for Edmonton to win in regulation drastically increases their chances of challenging for the conference and division titles. Moreover, if Mikey Anderson is absent for the Kings, it's a weakened defense that has to try to stop a charging McDavid & Co, which is no easy task.

I will play Edmonton Oilers to win in regulation @ +145