NHL 2023/24 play-offs, 1st round, game 1 on Tuesday, 23.04.2024
I’m sure that millions of German field hockey fans will suddenly become LAC fans at the start of these 2024 NHL playoffs!
The reason for this is simple: In May, the Ice Hockey World Championships begin in the Czech Republic and should the Oilers be eliminated early, the NHL’s MVP, Leon Draisaitl, would be unexpectedly available early for a possible call-up for the DEB.
However, my Oilers Kings betting tip is all about promising bets that are worth making on this Game 1 of the postseason that has just begun
The Oilers lost the last game of the regular season by 1:5! However, there’s no shame in losing to the most potent offense before the start of these playoffs. The Avalanche have already scored 304 times so far.
In addition, the German World Championship hopeful was spared. Leon Draisaitl was given the evening off to prepare for Game 1 against the Kings.
Probably also in the hope that he and his outstanding forward partner Connor McDavid, who also took a break, will be able to dismantle the Californians like they did on March 29th.
Just under three weeks ago, it was thanks to the individual class of Draisaitl (3 assists) and the Canadian (1 goal, 2 assists) that Edmonton still came out on top 4-1 in a game that was evenly matched in terms of the respective percentages.
In the rest of my Oilers Kings prediction, I will reveal why these two superstars and especially their goalie will make the difference in this series.
Meanwhile, the Kings have secured third place in the Pacific Division despite winning one fewer game (44) than the Golden Knights (45).
The reason for this is the eleven overtime defeats accumulated in the regular season, which brought them to a total of 99 points (Las Vegas, 98).
Incidentally, the Oilers scored 104 points, which once again shows just how tight the division is
Beating the Oilers at home won’t be easy! Because the only franchise that has managed to do so without overtime since March are the Canucks!
However, the Oilers’ upcoming opponent cannot be compared to the first-place team in the Pacific Division.
The Kings do have a strong defense – on all four lines – but the individual class of McDavid and Draisaitl has already caused them several headaches this season.
Still, sports betting fans shouldn’t overuse their Betway app regarding an over-goal bet, as Los Angeles has the second-best defense in the entire Western Conference with 235 goals against (199) after the Jets.
About McDavid & Draisaitl: The Canadian and the German are a congenial duo that embarrassed their upcoming opponents not only in their last meeting, but throughout the entire regular season.
In all regular-season games against the Kings, the Oilers were led by Connor McDavid, who scored seven points (two goals, five assists) in the four games.
Draisaitl, on the other hand, collected six scoring points (two goals, four assists) and Evan Bouchard five points (two goals, three assists).
I mentioned the Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner at the beginning, who, according to various expert Youtubers, is not considered one of the five best goalies in the NHL at the moment for nothing.
I couldn’t agree more, and I’m sure most Oilers field hockey fans feel the same way. Against the Kings this season, he’s certainly been catch-proof!
Skinner ended up starting all four games against Los Angeles, posting a record of 3-1-0 with a goals-against average of 1.99 and a save percentage of .936.
Los Angeles also has a pretty long road trip ahead of them to get to Edmonton. The franchise from sunny California generally doesn’t like road trips.
Four of LAK’s last five regular-season away games have all ended in defeat, three of them on visits to Canadian franchises …
German ice hockey fans may forgive me at this point, but in view of the Betano sports betting offer, I will associate McDavid and not Draisaitl with a possible goal.
The Canadian has scored nine fewer goals than the Cologne native in the regular season so far, but in games like these, he usually turns up the heat
Conclusion: In the end, the series should go to the Oilers 4:2. Los Angeles definitely has a chance to win a game or two at home, but overall the Canadiens have a bit more individual class.
The LAK’s strong defense should push the score down a bit, but the regular-season games so far have proven that the Canadiens’ first line is bound to score sooner or later.
Given the choice, I prefer the Canadian on my betting slip. With his help, Game 1 should ultimately go to Edmonton.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if his Cologne forward partner also scores in the course of the game.
My Oilers Kings tip: Victory Edmonton & McDavid scores
