The Los Angeles Kings are set to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday evening in a game that hints at a potential first-round playoff series in 2025. The puck will drop on NHL Network. Currently, the Kings are ahead and would host home ice advantage, but this could shift depending on Monday`s game outcome, as only two points separate these teams in the standings. Notably, these two teams have clashed in the first round of the playoffs for the past three years, with Edmonton emerging victorious each time. In the most recent postseason, the Oilers defeated the Kings in five games.

Los Angeles boasts a strong and diverse offensive lineup, with seven players having scored 18 or more goals this season. The Edmonton Oilers, who were finalists in the previous Stanley Cup, are aiming to return to the final series. Edmonton might play without their top scorer, Leon Draisaitl, who is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. Connor McDavid is expected to be the primary focus of Edmonton`s offense in Monday`s game.

The Oilers are slightly favored to win. Betting odds indicate the Oilers are at -111 money line, while the Kings are underdogs at -109. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5.

Player prop bets are also available, with Adrian Kempe of the Kings listed at -150 to score over 0.5 points, followed by Kevin Fiala (-135), Anze Kopitar (-120), and Quinton Byfield (-110). For the Oilers, Connor McDavid is at +100 to score over 1.5 points, and Evan Bouchard is at -190 to score over 0.5 points.

This is the final game of the season series between the Kings and Oilers. Los Angeles has won both previous games and holds the advantage in their head-to-head record regardless of Monday’s result. For Edmonton to secure home ice advantage, they would need to win their remaining two games in regulation and hope that Los Angeles does not earn more than two points from their last two games after Monday`s match.

Here`s a prediction from a sports model for the game`s outcome:

LOS ANGELES KINGS at EDMONTON OILERS | 4/14

Money line
Pick: Oilers -111
The model predicts Edmonton wins in 68% of simulations.

Puck line
Pick: Oilers -1.5 (+224)
The model predicts Edmonton covers in 41% of simulations.

Over/Under
Pick: Over 5.5
The model predicts the Over hits in 57% of simulations.

Projected score: Oilers 3.6, Kings 2.6