Oilers vs Kings: Projected Lineup, Preview, and Key Matchups

Projected lineup sees Connor Levi getting the start in goal for Edmonton as they wrap up Tuesday’s road‑trip finale against the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers, still smarting from a three‑game winless run, have publicly warned that the Kings won’t make it easy – a sentiment echoed in the headline “They’re going to make it hard on us.”

Both clubs are battling for playoff positioning. Edmonton sits near the Western Conference’s bubble, while Los Angeles is perched just inside the top‑eight. The game will likely be decided by three factors:

Goaltending duel – Levi (Eddie) versus the newly acquired Jonathan Kuemper, who returns to the lineup after a brief injury layoff. Kuemper’s 2.88 GAA and .910 save percentage this season give him a slight edge, but Levi’s recent 2.96 GAA and .905 SV% suggest he’s fully capable of stealing a win.
Special‑teams efficiency – The Oilers have a league‑best power‑play at 27.3%, while the Kings sit at a middling 19.8%. However, Los Angeles boasts a penalty‑kill that ranks fourth in the league (84.5%). Expect a tight, back‑and‑forth battle in the man‑advantage zone.
Depth scoring – Edmonton’s top‑six includes McDavid, Draisaitl, and the newly acquired forward Matt Zuccarello, who has contributed 12 points in his first 15 games with the Oilers. The Kings counter with veteran winger Alex Wright, who has logged 9 points in his last 10 outings and provides a gritty, two‑way presence.

Recent form

Oilers: 0‑3‑0 in their last three games, scoring just 4 goals while conceding 9.
Kings: 2‑1‑0 in their last four, with a 3‑2 win over the Coyotes and a 4‑3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Key storylines

Levi vs. Kuemper – Levi’s aggressive butterfly style will test Kuemper’s positioning; the latter’s experience in high‑pressure playoff games could be a deciding factor.
Zuccarello’s impact – In his first week with Edmonton, Zuccarello posted a 0.75 points‑per‑game rate, suggesting he may finally click with McDavid’s playmaking.
Wright’s resurgence – After a slow start to the season, Wright’s recent surge in face‑off win percentage (52.3%) gives the Kings a better chance to control puck possession.

Betting outlook – The odds favor the Oilers by 1.5 goals, but the Kings’ recent home‑ice performance (2‑0‑1 in their last three at Crypto.com Arena) makes the spread tighter than the numbers imply.

Bottom line – Expect a tightly contested, low‑to‑mid‑range scoring affair. If Levi can keep the Kings’ power‑play at bay and Zuccarello continues his early surge, Edmonton could snap its winless streak. Conversely, a hot night from Kuemper and Wright’s two‑way play could give Los Angeles the edge to pull off a surprise win.