The Edmonton Oilers are in Los Angeles this afternoon for Game 80 on the schedule, and I don’t think I’m being dramatic when I say this is another massive game for our boys. With three games left and the Oilers sitting one point up on both Vegas and Anaheim in the Pacific Division, Edmonton has control over its own destiny, provided our side can keep winning even while shorthanded. Lose today, and all of a sudden, we’re all back to scoreboard-watching and trying to work out the math. Mix in the fact that Edmonton can clinch a playoff berth with a single point, and you’ve got a matinee that feels a whole lot more important than your standard Sunday afternoon start.

The problem? The Kings aren’t here to do us any favours. This team hates the Oilers, has won three games in a row, is sitting in the second Wild Card spot, and I’d bet all of Gregor’s money that they’re just as motivated to lock things down as the boys are to keep climbing. Ignoring their massive number of overtime loser points that have been propping them up all season, there are some on-ice numbers worth talking about that have let the Kings stick around. L.A. doesn’t give up much (2.92 GA/GP), they get great goaltending (.916 team SV%), and they’ve done a solid job of controlling the shot share in most of their games (52.26 CF%). In other words, if the Oilers show up looking for a cute, loose game, this one could get away from them in a hurry.

At the end of the day, the result is going to come down to who can execute better because the Oilers absolutely have a very real edge in some areas that matter. They score more (3.48 goals per game), their power play is still operating at a stupid 30.7% even with the recent struggles, and even missing some serious firepower, Edmonton still has enough weapons here to win this hockey game. The issue, as we’ve seen way too often this season, is whether they actually play a clean enough game to let those advantages matter. It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out that when the puck management slips, when the coverage gets lazy, or when the saves don’t come at the right time, all those “on paper” advantages don’t mean a damn thing.

There’s also being honest about where the Oilers’ lineup is at right now. They don’t have Leon Draisaitl. No Zach Hyman. Now Jason Dickinson is out after blocking a shot against the Sharks. Connor Ingram practiced, which is great, but we still don’t really know what’s going on there or when to expect him back between the pipes. It’s pretty obvious to say that this isn’t the ideal version of the Oilers rolling into a playoff-type game. Not even close. But at the same time, nobody cares. Not the Kings, not the standings, and definitely not the schedule with Colorado waiting on Monday. You either find a way anyway, or you don’t.

The good news? Connor McDavid has decided this is the time to go full freak mode over the last two weeks. Our captain has put up 10 goals in his last eight games, and it’s coming at a time when the Oilers absolutely needed someone to grab the wheel. And with the second half of the Dynamic Duo still on the shelf, it’s almost like he decided to put the team on his shoulders and get to work. When Connor is playing like this, it changes the entire feel of a game and how everyone else behaves. One shift, one touch, one flash through the neutral zone, and suddenly everything flips. If the Oilers are going to navigate their final few games without key pieces, it’s going to start with 97 dragging them to the finish line, whether the other team likes it or not.

Getting back to this afternoon’s matinee, this one feels like one of those games that’s going to come down to details more than anything else. The Kings are going to defend, but they’re also going to give up chances. They’re going to try to slow things down, but they also know the Oilers know how to counter that tactic. They’re going to wait for mistakes and throw counterpunches when available. We know all of this stuff. So if the boys aren’t respecting the blue lines, start cheating for offence, or take dumb penalties, they’re basically playing into exactly what L.A. wants and needs. On the flip side, if Edmonton keeps things simple, uses their speed, and gets some power play luck when the opportunity comes, there’s a path here to take two points.

In a game with stakes this high, the result usually comes down to who can take better care of the details. Not systems. Not excuses. Not who’s in or out of the lineup. It’s execution and urgency. I want to see a team that understands what’s sitting in front of them right now. First place is right there for the taking. A playoff berth is there if they can get even a single point. But none of it gets handed to you because you had a good stretch in March or because you’re missing pieces from the roster. The Oilers still have to go take it. Style points? Couldn’t care less. Just get the job done.

Let’s see what the numbers say…

Podkolzin – McDavid – Savoie
Jones – RNH – Kapanen
Roslovic – Henrique – Lazar
Dach – Samanski – Frederic

Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Murphy
Walman – Emberson

Jarry

What I’ve got above are the line combos from practice yesterday, and the most notable items are the lack of Jason Dickinson and question marks around Connor Ingram. Kris Knoblauch didn’t name a starter after the team skate in Los Angeles, but I’m going to assume Tristan Jarry gets the call while they monitor Ingram’s injury. Of course, I’ll jump back in and make the edits as news becomes available.

Panarin – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Byfield – Laferriere
Armia – Laughton – Wright
Malott – Helenius – Ward

Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci

Forsberg

I’m fully expecting the Kings to be jacked up for today’s game. Not only do they hate the Oilers after losing to them four straight years in the first round, but they’re hanging onto a playoff spot for dear life. They’re going to play with some juice and urgency, and the Oilers had better be ready to handle the smoke. That’s not to say I don’t think the Kings aren’t still beatable even with the injuries on Edmonton’s side, but no one should expect anything about this afternoon’s game to come easy.

Game Day Prediction: The Oilers put the work in, outplay Los Angeles, and cruise to a 5-2 win.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: Another goal for Connor McDavid? I say yes!

Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: The bottom six accounts for three goals. One from Trent Frederic. One from Adam Henrique. One from Josh Samanski. Imagine how impressed you’ll be when I get this right.