The Edmonton Oilers are set to face off against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of their NHL Playoff series tonight at Rogers Place, with puck drop scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. This matchup is crucial for the Oilers, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can eliminate the Kings for the fourth consecutive season with a victory.
The Oilers have turned the tide after dropping the first two games of the series in Los Angeles, where the Kings initially showcased their strength with a thrilling 6-5 win in Game 1 and a more dominant 6-2 victory in Game 2. However, since the series shifted to Edmonton, the Oilers have rallied, winning three consecutive games by scores of 7-4, 4-3 in overtime, and 3-1, showcasing their resilience and ability to adapt.
In their latest outing on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Oilers outshot the Kings 46-22, a testament to their offensive pressure. Mattias Janmark scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period, while Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also found the back of the net. Goaltender Calvin Pickard made 20 saves, continuing his strong performance since taking over the starting role.
“I think the feeling was really there after the first period that we’re outplaying ‘em, we got them where we want, and now we’ve just got to push,” Janmark said after the game. “Keep pushing the gas.”
Connor McDavid has been a key player for the Oilers, leading the team with eight assists and ten points in the series. His dynamic playmaking ability has been pivotal, and he has registered points in each of the last three games. Leon Draisaitl has also stepped up, contributing three goals and seven assists, matching McDavid’s total of ten points.
On the other side, the Kings are in a precarious position, needing a win to force a Game 7 back in Los Angeles. Star forward Adrian Kempe has been crucial for the Kings, leading the team with ten points (four goals, six assists) in the series. However, his production has slowed in the last two games, where he has only managed one assist. Center Anze Kopitar, another key player, has also been quiet recently, with just one assist in the past two games after a strong start.
“We know that they’re a good hockey team, they’re going to play with a lot of desperation,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch remarked. “They feel that they can beat us, and for us, we need to match our level of play that we had in Game 5 as much as possible.”
The Kings' goaltender, Darcy Kuemper, has faced a barrage of shots in the last two games, making 43 saves in Game 4’s 4-3 overtime loss and 20 in the most recent defeat. Despite his efforts, the Kings have struggled with secondary scoring, and their top players must step up to extend their season.
In terms of betting odds, the Oilers are favored with a moneyline of -175, while the Kings sit at +146. The spread is set at Oilers -1.5, indicating confidence in Edmonton’s ability to win by at least two goals. The total for the game is set at six points, reflecting expectations for a competitive matchup.
Historically, the Oilers have dominated the Kings in playoff matchups, winning six straight series-clinching games against them since 1990. They have also secured victories in eight of their last ten postseason series against Los Angeles, dating back to 1982. This trend adds pressure on the Kings, who have not won a playoff series since their Stanley Cup victory in 2014.
As the Oilers look to close out the series, they will rely on their depth, with contributions from players like Evan Bouchard, who has four goals in the series, and a strong defensive effort led by Pickard, who has allowed just eight goals in his three starts since taking over the net.
For the Kings, the challenge is clear: they must find a way to break through Edmonton's defense and support Kuemper with offensive production. “What happened in the past is in the past; they were different teams, different players. It really has no effect on this game tonight, at all,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said, emphasizing the need to focus on the present.
With both teams hungry for victory, tonight’s Game 6 promises to be an intense battle as the Oilers aim to secure their spot in the next round, while the Kings fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN or via streaming services like FuboTV.
As the puck drops at Rogers Place, the excitement is palpable. Will the Oilers seal the deal and eliminate the Kings, or can Los Angeles pull off a comeback to force a deciding Game 7? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: tonight’s game will be one for the ages.
