The Edmonton Oilers are set to take on the Los Angeles Kings for the second year in a row. Edmonton was squeaked by the Kings in seven games last season and a more aggressive offense against a stingier defense will be the game this time around, with the Oilers the more offensive team and favourite. However, this series will only be a picnic in Edmonton.
Last season’s series was entertaining, but it took its toll on the Oilers. They were in a similar situation when the kings gave them a run for their money and not everyone got away unscathed. This season, the Kings have improved a lot and have been above the Oilers in the standings for most of the year. The Oilers are now better too, and frankly, neither team likes the other so much.
Having said all that, there are a new wrinkle added to this year’s series that are worth paying attention to.
Matthias Ekholm is fixed on a fixed blue line
Since the NHL trade deadline, Edmonton has been much better defensively. Much of that can be attributed to the addition of Matthias Ekholm, but whether directly or in combination with his arrival, the squad has been more stable overall. The Oilers didn’t have a solid and consistent defensive structure last season when those two teams met. It was about trying to outdo the kings, which didn’t always work out.
This year, the Oilers will continue to use their deadly offense as a weapon, but the fact that they have a sound defense and have been perfecting their structure play over the last 15 games means they can beat the Kings at their own game. They did so effectively the last time these teams met. The Oilers’ ability to play in more than one style changes the dynamics of this Series in a major way.
Drew Doty is back
Of the many new faces on this Kings roster, the one that might make the biggest difference in the series is one that was already with the organization: Drew Doughty. Sure, the Kings now include Jonas Korbesalo, Vladislav Gavrikov, Sean Walker, Victor Arvidsson, and Zack McEwan on this list and they weren’t last season, but Doughty missed the playoffs in 2022 and that was a huge loss for the Kings.
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Doughty is the best defender on the club and the kind who can change up a chain, put a player in the slant or go off on his own and make big plays that win the team a game. He’s physical, he’ll eat a lot of minutes, and he’ll talk to you all the time. Don’t discount how important his return to LA is.
Leon Draisaitl is healthy
Leon Dricetel played through the playoffs last season with a badly sprained ankle that he suffered in a playoff game against those same Kings. His right leg got sprained when he was taken to the ice by Mickey Anderson and the fact that Draistail was able to finish the postseason and produce the way he did with that injury was absolutely remarkable. While most players in the NHL are rarely healthy, Draisaitl is ready to go and doesn’t tackle any issues.
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The Oilers have three 100-point scorers on this team, and Dricetel was one of them. He’s probably looking to make a statement and that means bad news for royalty.
Kevin Fiala factor
The Kings’ biggest offseason addition, Kevin Fiala, hasn’t played since April 1st. He was initially injured on March 9, made a few more appearances until the beginning of April, and has been out since. It’s not entirely clear when Fiala will return in the series, but every game he misses is a big deal for the Kings. He produced 72 points in 69 games and was the team’s best offensive weapon.
When the Kings beat the Oilers earlier in the season, (November and January) Fiala scored two goals and had two assists in the Kings victory. In the two games in which he did not play, and in which Edmonton won, the Kings scored just one goal as a team. If he’s not available for either series, that’s a huge advantage for the Oilers. If he returns in time for the start of the series or the first two games, he could be a difference maker.