2023 Stanley Cup Playoff Capsules/Predictions: Edmonton Oilers-Los Angeles Kings

P2 Edmonton Oilers (50-23-9, 109 PTS) vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings (47-25-10, 104 PTS)
HC: Jay Woodcroft vs. Todd McLellan
- The Best Version vs. Missing Pieces Again!
- Hot At The Right Time vs. Kryptonite (Game 7)
Stats on Centerpieces: Connor McDavid (82 GP, 64-89-153 +22); Leon Draisaitl (80 GP, 52-76-128 +7); Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (82 GP, 37-67-104 +12); Zach Hyman (79 GP, 36-47-83 +13); Evander Kane (41 GP, 16-12-28 -4) vs. Anze Kopitar (82 GP, 28-46-74 +20); Kevin Fiala (69 GP, 23-49-72 +2); Adrian Kempe (82 GP, 41-26-67 +22); Viktor Arvidsson (77 GP, 26-33-59 -4); Phillip Danault (82 GP, 18-36-54 -8); Gabriel Vilardi (63 GP, 23-18-41 +10)
Premium Defense: Darnell Nurse (82 GP, 12-31-43 +26); Evan Bouchard (82 GP, 8-32-40 +6); Since Trade: Mattias Ekholm (21 GP, 4-10-14 +28) What!? vs. Drew Doughty (81 GP, 9-43-52 +12); Sean Durzi (72 GP, 9-29-38 - 12); Matt Roy (82 GP, 9-17-26 +8); Mikey Anderson (77 GP 5-15-20 +20)
Goalies: Stuart Skinner (50 GP, 29-14-5, 2.75, .913); Jack Campbell (36 GP, 21-9-4, 3.41, .888) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (39 GP, 18-14-4, 2.87, .914); Pheonix Copley (37 GP, 24-6-3, 2.64 GAA, .903 SV)
Out: (LA) Kevin Fiala and Gabriel Vilardi. (How Long? Lost Arvidsson and Doughty Last Year.
PP: 32.4 (1) Historic All-Time. Six Percent Higher Than TOR vs. 25.3 (4) PK: 77.0 (20) vs. 75.8 (24); GF: 3.96 (1) vs. 3.34 (10); GA: 3.12 (17) vs. 3.10 (16)
My Thoughts: EDM has been on an absolute tear since getting Ekholm at the Trade Deadline. I normally don’t read into regular season numbers or wins when it comes to compiling goals like a 7-2 consistently, because we saw what happened to the EDM against COL. But with the injuries to Fiala and Vilardi I’m concerned. LA has been shutting down an offense that averages 3.96 to the 2.10-2.30 range. If they can do that and still score enough without some pieces, it’s a series.
Who wins the series? Give some reasons for both....
Series Opener: Monday April 17, 10 p.m. EST ESPN
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