by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Western Conference First Round, Game 6 -- Kings lead 3-2
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
Where to watch: TBS, Sportsnet, Bally Sports Southern California
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Oilers -140, Kings +120
BetMGM: Oilers -150, Kings +125
Caesars: Oilers -141, Kings +120
Ben Burns has reeled off a strong 24-13-0 run over the last month in the NHL. The last week of the NHL season is here before we get cracking to playoff coverage. The postseason is here, the matchups are set, and you can count on our coverage for all the playoff matchups starting this weekend. Who's going to win the Cup? You need to be tuned in here to find out all the expert analysis. Catch Ben's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Kings - Oilers preview and analysis
Ladies and gentlemen, please buckle up and get ready for a ride of a lifetime, because the Edmonton Oilers are one loss away from going full nuclear. I honestly am here for such a discourse and I am praying that it happens.
All the reason to hope that the Los Angeles Kings pull off one hell of an upset in Game 6 at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday and send the Oilers packing for the summer. May we all bask in the glory for what might be one of the final times with this core because we need nuclear options.
Adrian Kempe played the role of hero on Tuesday in the 5-4 overtime victory over the Oilers in Edmonton. That was after the Kings blew a two-goal lead in the third period thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s heroics, but no one should be giving up five goals in a must-win game. And for that reason, the Kings have all the house money right now.
"It was a great start [to overtime] by [Phillip Danault's] line, they had them in their zone for a minute," Kempe said. "The forwards on our side changed and they didn't get the puck all the way down and we got it back into their zone and caught them on their heels. They were a little tired, and that was pretty much it."
It truly is remarkable that we’re here discussing the Kings for what they’ve been able to do in this series. After getting blasted in Game 3 and Game 4 by a combined 14-2, they’ve answered with a 4-0 shutout of their own and really dominating Edmonton for about 50 minutes.
But Jonathan Quick, despite his late struggles, made plays when it counted, and the offense was able to make it happen with Kempe, their all-star, doing what he’s done all year.
"I got asked a lot of questions about momentum the other day and it can swing within the games, and obviously it did in the third," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "They had a real good period and we were on our heels a little bit. We played hard enough and long enough just to get it to overtime, and that was real important for our team."
This is the worst part of series’ like this. We should spend this time talking about the underdog being one win away, but we’re here discussing the Oilers possibly blowing another first-round exit in the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl era.
I’m not saying the Oilers should blow things up, but clearly the direction of team building is nowhere to be had. McDavid’s patience has to be wearing thin. Even though he has some years left on his deal, I can’t imagine this actually leads to something worthwhile in the offseason should Edmonton go fishing on Thursday night.
"It's disappointing," McDavid said. "Obviously, you never like to lose, but they give you seven games for a reason and we need to go get one on the road and bring it back to Edmonton [for Game 7]."
Prediction
Normal me thinks that the Oilers will make quick work and push this to Game 7. Insane me trumps this and believes the Kings will roll and end this one. You don’t want to get the Los Angeles crowd hyped for a potential winner-moves-on game. Take the home team. Kings win 4-1
Betting trends
Oilers are 6-3 in Game 6 since 1996.
Oilers are 7-10 this season after at least two consecutive losses.
Kings are 6-1 this season after winning their previous game in overtime.
Kings are 17-13 since 1996 when leading in a playoff series.
Projected lines
Oilers:
Evander Kane -- Connor McDavid -- Jesse Puljujarvi
Zach Hyman -- Leon Draisaitl -- Kailer Yamamoto
Warren Foegele -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Derek Ryan
Derick Brassard -- Ryan McLeod -- Zack Kassian
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Duncan Keith -- Evan Bouchard
Philip Broberg -- Tyson Barrie
Mike Smith
Kings:
Andreas Athanasiou -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Dustin Brown
Carl Grundstrom -- Quinton Byfield -- Arthur Kaliyev
Alexander Edler -- Matt Roy
Jacob Moverare -- Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta -- Jordan Spence
Jonathan Quick
Andreas Athanasiou -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Dustin Brown
Carl Grundstrom -- Quinton Byfield -- Arthur Kaliyev
Alexander Edler -- Matt Roy
Jacob Moverare -- Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta -- Jordan Spence
Jonathan Quick
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
