Kings vs Oilers Picks and Prediction – 4/28/2025

The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers continue their first-round clash Saturday night at Rogers Place. Los Angeles holds a 2-1 series lead after falling 7-4 in Game 3. The Kings enter at 48-25-9, while the Oilers sit at 48-29-5. After getting dominated in Games 1 and 2, Edmonton answered back strongly to stay alive in the series. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Los Angeles Kings started strong but got torched defensively in Game 3. The offense has been flying, putting up six goals in each of the first two wins. Adrian Kempe leads with 73 points, 35 goals, and 38 assists, while Anze Kopitar’s 46 assists add key support. Darcy Kuemper has a standout 2.02 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage, giving Los Angeles top-tier goaltending entering Game 4.

Defense has mostly been a strong suit for Los Angeles, allowing just 2.48 goals per game. The penalty kill sits at 81.4%, and the Kings have kept things clean with only 632 penalty minutes. The 17.9% power play remains shaky, but full health across the roster keeps Los Angeles in a strong position to respond after the Game 3 stumble.

The Edmonton Oilers came alive in Game 3 behind Leon Draisaitl, who has racked up 106 points with 52 goals. Connor McDavid continues to drive the offense with 74 assists. Stuart Skinner carries a 2.81 goals-against average, but Calvin Pickard and his 2.71 GAA could be an option. Edmonton is producing 3.16 goals per game on 32 shots, and the attack looks locked in after the latest win.

Defense has been up and down for Edmonton, giving up 2.87 goals per game and operating with a 78.2% penalty kill. Missing Mattias Ekholm hurts defensive depth, but the Oilers’ low penalty minutes at 607 and strong 23.7% power play provide an edge. The home ice factor could be huge as Edmonton looks to even the series.

Edmonton’s Game 3 response showed why the Oilers’ offense, led by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, gives them the upper hand. The Oilers’ 23.7% power-play success rate will test a Kings squad still inconsistent with the man advantage. With momentum and better special teams, Edmonton ties this series at home. Final Score Prediction: Edmonton Oilers win 5-3.