Just because a team is in a must-win spot doesn’t mean you should bet them to do it.
The Los Angeles Kings have run rampant against the Edmonton Oilers through two games of their best-of-7 series, and the issues that the Oilers have shown throughout the season don’t seem to be a quick fix.
The Kings are the deeper team; they’ve got better goaltending, and they boast the defensive prowess to slow down Edmonton’s dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
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Oilers vs. Kings Game 3 betting preview
After falling behind 4-0 in Game 1, you’d think the Oilers would put an emphasis on making things easier on themselves in Game 2.
That wasn’t the case.
The Oilers surrendered the first three goals of the game before fighting back to 3-2, but ultimately fell apart in a 6-2 drubbing.
Edmonton continued to struggle on the penalty kill, and goaltender Stuart Skinner’s troubles continued. The Alberta-born netminder was pulled in the middle of Game 2, and owns a paltry .810 save percentage through the first two games of the postseason.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch wouldn’t commit to a starter for Game 3 in Edmonton at first, but he did indicate that journeyman Calvin Pickard would get the nod on Friday. Pickard can do a job in a pinch, but he’s a clear B-side in this goaltending matchup.
Oilers vs. Kings Game 3 pick
There are just too many areas of the game where the Kings have a decided edge over the Oilers to feel comfortable laying -135 on Edmonton, even at home.
It seems the most realistic path to success in this best-of-7 is for McDavid and Draisaitl to just wreck the game, but Los Angeles was so sturdy defensively all season that going that route seems like a stretch at this point.
The Play: Kings +115 (BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
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