The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings meet once again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, continuing a budding postseason rivalry that has quickly become one of the Western Conference’s most intriguing matchups. Game 1 on April 21, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena marks the fourth consecutive year these Pacific Division foes will square off in the first round, with Edmonton owning the recent edge in the series. The Oilers enter the playoffs led by arguably the most dynamic one-two punch in the NHL—Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—who combined for over 240 points during the regular season and remain the heartbeat of a high-octane offense. Edmonton’s league-leading power play remains one of the most lethal in hockey, consistently punishing undisciplined opponents, while their 5-on-5 play has shown marked improvement over the second half of the season. Defensively, the Oilers have seen steadier performances thanks to a maturing blue line and the reliable goaltending of Stuart Skinner, though road consistency remains a concern, as reflected by their 3–9 ATS mark in their last 12 away games. Meanwhile, the Kings are a disciplined, structured team built to frustrate opponents like Edmonton, leaning on tight defensive zone play, excellent shot suppression, and the playoff experience of players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. In net, veteran Darcy Kuemper has returned to form, and his poise under pressure will be a major factor in whether Los Angeles can slow down the Oilers’ offensive machine. Game 1 figures to be a tactical chess match, with special teams playing a potentially pivotal role.

The Oilers’ top unit, anchored by McDavid’s playmaking and Draisaitl’s one-timer, will test the Kings’ penalty kill early and often if Los Angeles can’t stay out of the box. Conversely, the Kings’ power play has quietly been effective as well, operating at a solid clip behind the vision of Kopitar and the net-front presence of Adrian Kempe. Both teams have improved depth compared to previous postseason meetings; Edmonton will rely on emerging contributors like Ryan McLeod and Zach Hyman for secondary scoring, while the Kings hope for continued growth from Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev to support their veteran core. The defensive matchups will be critical—expect Doughty to be tasked with shadowing McDavid as much as possible, while Edmonton may try to exploit speed mismatches against Los Angeles’s bottom six. The key for the Kings will be keeping the game close and methodical, while the Oilers will look to open it up with rush chances and quick-strike offense. Goaltending will also loom large—if Kuemper can withstand the early pressure and give L.A. confidence, it could be enough to grind out a Game 1 win; if Skinner backstops the Oilers with the same calm he showed late in the season, Edmonton may seize control early. Ultimately, this series sets up to be another bruising, high-intensity affair between two clubs that know each other intimately. Edmonton’s firepower gives them the edge on paper, but the Kings’ structure and defensive discipline are designed to disrupt precisely the kind of rhythm the Oilers need to thrive. Game 1 will be about setting the tone—whether it’s Edmonton dictating pace with high-speed transitions or Los Angeles slowing the tempo and forcing play along the boards. Whichever team imposes its identity first could seize a critical psychological and strategic advantage in what promises to be one of the most tightly contested series of the opening round. Both teams have the depth, talent, and urgency to make this a marathon, and with every shift magnified under playoff pressure, Game 1 will be the opening salvo in a war of attrition that may well go the distance.