Rumors Oilers Could Calm Trade Talk in Statement Game vs. Kings

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The post Oilers Could Calm Trade Talk in Statement Game vs. Kings appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.

The Edmonton Oilers return home to Rogers Place on Monday night for an important showdown against the Los Angeles Kings. With both teams neck-and-neck in the Pacific Division standings, this game carries significant weight for the Oilers. A win could mean a serious swing as they try to kick off a tough stretch of games on the right foot and set a tone the Kings will remember if these two meet again in the playoffs — which it feels like they always do.




Fresh off a 3-1 road trip, the Oilers hold a slim two-point lead over the Kings, who have two games in hand. A win tonight for Edmonton gives the Oilers a little breathing room and puts some control over their playoff fate back in their own hands. Both teams chase the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. “Looking at our schedule, how difficult our next five or six games are, it’s about as tough as it gets,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch noted to the media on Monday.

This matchup isn’t just about standings. This is a statement game for the Oilers, who may need to make a swing at the trade deadline to add physicality to their lineup. The Kings have historically taken it to Edmonton when it comes to physical play, and the Oilers are far and away the lowest-ranking teams this season when it comes to hits in the NHL. Edmonton either needs to prove they can ramp up the physicality with this roster or show they can win dominantly without the rough stuff.

Darnell-Nurse-and-Evander-Kane-Oilers.jpg

Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane are two of the tougher Oilers, but the team only has Nurse in versus the Kings

Oilers vs Kings: This Is A Fairly Even Matchup​


The betting odds favor the Oilers, but both boast a +22 goal differential and have ranked among the league’s top three teams since December. Both franchises have won five of their last six games and this is about as evenly matched as it gets.

For the Oilers, it’s an opportunity to make a statement. They’re seeking revenge for a December 28 loss in Los Angeles, where they surrendered a third-period lead and fell in overtime. The stars will have to be the stars. Leon Draisaitl, who has torched the Kings with 15 goals in his last 17 games against them, will need to still lead the way. Connor McDavid, who went without a point in the Oilers’ win over Chicago, wants to get back on track.

The Kings are solid defensively. The Oilers are dynamic when they show up early. Special teams could be the key to the win here. If the Kings get overly aggressive and the Oilers can make them pay on the man advantage, this could lean Edmonton’s way.

A win tonight would provide the Oilers with momentum and a bit of cushion in the standings. They need to come ready to play in the first 20 minutes.

Next: Maple Leafs Linked in Long-Shot Roster Players Trade with Flyers

The post Oilers Could Calm Trade Talk in Statement Game vs. Kings appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.

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