Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: ESPN (U.S. national), SNW (Sportsnet West/Canada), FanDuel Sports Network West (Kings regional)
Game Context
Pacific Division matchup with major playoff implications. Edmonton sits 3rd in the Pacific (64 points) and is battling for a top-three seed or wild-card positioning in the West. Los Angeles is 5th in the division (60 points) and sits three points behind the second Western wild-card spot (currently held by Seattle). Both clubs are on the outside looking in on a guaranteed playoff berth and desperately need points in this critical late-season stretch.
Recent Form
- Oilers: 4-6-0 in their last 10 and have lost four straight (including a wild 6-5 road loss at Anaheim on Feb. 25). Offense remains potent (3.41 GF/GP) but defense has been porous (3.28 GA/GP). They are 13-13-4 on the road and playing the second half of a back-to-back.
- Kings: 0-3-1 in their last four and also lost their most recent game 6-4 at home vs. Vegas on Feb. 25 (second half of a back-to-back). LA ranks middle-of-the-pack offensively and defensively but has struggled to close games lately. They are 8-12-7 at home this season.
Injury Report
Edmonton Oilers:
- Kasperi Kapanen (RW) – Undisclosed (out; expected to miss at least the first two post-Olympic games)
- Positive notes / returns: Adam Henrique (C) activated and back after missing 15 games with upper-body injury. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and other Olympians available and expected in the lineup.
Los Angeles Kings:
- Kevin Fiala (LW) – Fractured leg (out for the remainder of the regular season; underwent surgery post-Olympics)
- Positive notes / returns / activations: Mikey Anderson (D) and Alex Turcotte (C) activated from IR and expected to play. Artemi Panarin (new acquisition) played in his Kings debut Wednesday (2 assists). Andrei Kuzmenko and others listed day-to-day but projected to dress.
Projected Lineups & Goalies
Oilers (Coach Kris Knoblauch)
F: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
F: Matt Savoie – Leon Draisaitl – Jack Roslovic
F: Vasily Podkolzin – Adam Henrique – Trent Frederic
F: Andrew Mangiapane – Curtis Lazar – Josh Samanski
D: Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
D: Darnell Nurse – Jake Walman
D: Spencer Stastney – Ty Emberson
G: Connor Ingram (expected; 14-6-5, 2.71 GAA, .895 SV% in limited action) / Tristan Jarry
Scratches: None listed
Injured: Kapanen
Kings (Coach Jim Hiller)
F: Artemi Panarin – Alex Laferriere – Adrian Kempe
F: Quinton Byfield – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Moore
F: Warren Foegele – Alex Turcotte – Andrei Kuzmenko
F: Joel Armia – Samuel Helenius – Corey Perry
D: Brian Dumoulin – Drew Doughty
D: Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke
D: Mikey Anderson – Cody Ceci
G: Darcy Kuemper (expected) / Anton Forsberg
Scratches: Jeff Malott, Jacob Moverare, Taylor Ward
Injured: Fiala (season)
Key Player Matchups
- Connor McDavid / Leon Draisaitl vs. Anze Kopitar / Drew Doughty: McDavid (still chasing Hart-level production) faces LA’s shutdown center and elite veteran Doughty. Edmonton’s stars must generate against a structured Kings forecheck.
- Artemi Panarin’s integration vs. Oilers’ top pair (Ekholm-Bouchard): Panarin already has multi-point impact in his debut; Edmonton’s transition defense will be tested by the new-look Kings top line.
- Zach Hyman / Ryan Nugent-Hopkins net-front presence vs. LA’s blue line: Physical battles expected along the boards and in front of Kuemper.
- Goaltending edge: Ingram has been serviceable but leaky; Kuemper gives LA a veteran steady option at home. Both teams have shown vulnerability in recent high-scoring losses (6-5 and 6-4).
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Los Angeles leads the season series 1-0.
Historically, the Kings have had success containing Edmonton’s speed at Crypto.com Arena (strong home record in the rivalry), but the Oilers have taken points in several recent visits when McDavid/Draisaitl are rolling.
Betting Trends
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of the last 8 combined games for these clubs.
- Both teams have lost four straight and allowed 5+ goals in their most recent contests (Oilers 6-5 loss, Kings 6-4 loss).
- Kings are 2-3-1 in their last six as slight home favorites; Oilers are 4-6 SU in last 10 but strong when McDavid/Henrique are healthy.
- Back-to-back fatigue for both sides (Kings on second night, Oilers traveled from Anaheim) often leads to higher-event, mistake-filled hockey.
- Edmonton has covered the +1.5 in 8 of its last 10 road games vs. Pacific foes.
Game Odds
Edmonton Oilers 6.5
Los Angeles Kings – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 25, 2026
