Yahoo Sports Oilers Need To Seize Big Opportunity Against Division Rivals
The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings know each other fairly well at this point.
After meeting in the first round of the playoffs for three straight years, the two teams are again on a collision course. The Kings are simply trying to escape another series against the Oilers, while the Oilers are trying not to be dragged down in the bucket of crabs that is the Pacific Division.
That means the stakes will be high for tonight's matchup between the two teams. The Oilers are two points ahead of the Kings for second in the division, though L.A. has two games in hand. Both teams badly want two points tonight as they try to catch Vegas and avoid another first-round repeat.
These two teams almost could not be more evenly matched. Apart from their point totals, they boast identical goal differentials of +22. They've been two of the top three teams in the league since the start of December, behind only -- and very frustratingly -- the Vegas Golden Knights. That's how you can run a .750 points percentage for six weeks and not make up any ground in the standings.
Both teams have won five of their last six, with the Kings' win streak ending on Saturday in Calgary. The Oilers are returning from a four-game road trip that saw them pick up three wins, including a comeback win in Chicago on Saturday night.
The Oilers will also be looking to avenge their loss to the Kings on December 28th. They blew a third-period lead and lost in overtime as part of a rough two-game California road trip.
Both teams know what to expect from one another at this point. The Kings are as steady as they come, rolling four lines and playing solid defence in front of extremely variable goaltending. The Oilers pair a solid team defence with two of the greatest players in the world and a dangerous powerplay. Every matchup between these two teams is like another playoff game.
All the pieces are on the board. Now it's time to play.
Tonight's game gets underway at 7:30, on Sportsnet.
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