The Los Angeles Kings have faced the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Edmonton won each series, needing seven games in 2022, six games in 2023 and just five in 2024.
They are meeting again in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, with the opener set for Monday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Game time is 10 p.m. EDT and you can watch it on ESPN2 or livestream it on ESPN+, fubo TV (FREE trial), Sling TV (discount) or DirecTV Stream (FREE trial and discount).
Thanks to the NHL’s playoff format, two Pacific Division teams that probably know each other too well are back together for a fourth time, starting with Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Monday night.
“Obviously, if you want to make it all the way, you’ve got to beat them at some point,” Kings forward Quinton Byfield told The Associated Press. “So it’s good that it’s the first round, and we’ve got to get this over with.”
While the Oilers are beginning their quest for another title shot after losing Game 7 of last year’s Stanley Cup Final by one goal, the Kings have much simpler goals.
Los Angeles still hasn’t won a playoff round since it raised the Stanley Cup in 2014.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — two of the top five points-per-game scorers in NHL playoff history — are once again in the way.
“I’m glad we’re in, and I’m glad we get a chance to break through anybody,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “We haven’t broke through for a while. It’s time for us. I don’t think it carries any special weight that it’s the Oilers. This is about us, and we want to push through.”
Not only are the Kings and Oilers meeting in yet another postseason, they’ve already faced each other twice this April, with the Kings winning both by a combined 8-0. Their meeting in Edmonton one week ago was a gong show, with the Oilers racking up 53 penalty minutes and three misconduct penalties before losing Darnell Nurse to a one-game suspension for his dirty cross-check of Byfield.
Los Angeles has home-ice advantage for the first time in these four series, and the Kings were the NHL’s best home team this season, going 31-6-4 at their downtown arena. The Kings have won 17 of 22 overall since the trade deadline, seizing second place in the division even though both teams finished with 48 wins.
HOW TO WATCH
- WHAT: Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, Round 1 of Western Conference series, Game 1
- WHEN: 10 p.m. EDT Monday
- WHERE: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
- TV: ESPN2
- LIVESTREAM: ESPN+, fubo TV (FREE trial), Sling TV (discount) or DirecTV Stream (FREE trial and discount
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Moreover, the Kings seem to be healthier, deeper and just plain better than they’ve been in the previous three seasons. That’s no comfort when facing McDavid and Draisaitl, but it’s a place for belief to root.
Edmonton (48-29-5, in the Pacific Division) is led offensively by Draisaitl (106 points) and McDavid (100 points), and Stuart Skinner (50 starts, 26-18-0-4, 2.81 goals-against average) and Calvin Pickard (31 starts, 22-10-0-1, 2.71 GAA) have shared time in net.
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) controls the puck past Edmonton Oilers left wing Max Jones (46) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)AP
Los Angeles (48-25-9, in the Pacific Division) is led offensively by winger Adrian Kempe (73 points), center Anze Kopitar (67) and winger Kevin Fiala (60). Darcy Kuemper (50 starts, 31-11-0-7, 2.02 GAA ) and David Rittich (31 starts, 16-14-0-2, 2.84 GAA) have been their two primary goaltenders.
Both teams have been playing well: The Kings are 8-2 and the Oilers are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
