Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings

Los Angeles squandered a great opportunity to even the series as Edmonton overcame a 33-13 disadvantage in shots and won 1-0 on Sunday. David Rittich stopped 12 of 13 shots for the Kings, who arguably played their best game of the series, but couldn't get anything past Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner. Now it is do-or-die for Los Angeles, who likely will have the experienced Cam Talbot back in net. Talbot is 27-20-6 with 2.50 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with three shutouts this season. Rittich could be an even better option as he shut out the Oilers 4-0 with 26 saves on Feb. 10. The Kings are due to get some shots going their way after their overwhelming advantage in Game 4, and they are 8-2 their past 10 games against teams that allowed two or fewer goals their previous game. Five of the past eight meetings have gone UNDER and the Kings are 50-33-2 UNDER this season. The Oilers are 44-38-4 UNDER. Take the Kings as my Playoffs Dog of the Year, and play this game UNDER as a Max Play.

All three games have gone OVER and Los Angeles is in need of a bounce-back performance after losing 6-1 on Friday to go down 2-1 in the series. The Oilers held a 41-28 edge in shots and never trailed. Two good trends favor the Kings as they are 8-1 against teams that allowed two or fewer goals their previous game and Edmonton is 1-6 its past seven games after scoring at least five goals. Los Angeles has gone OVER six straight playoff games as an underdog and the Oilers are 4-0-1 OVER their past five as favorites of -110 to -150. Edmonton has gone OVER six first round playoff games in a row. The Kings must be better on the power play both on offense (0-for-10 in the series) and defense as the Oilers are 7-for-14. Take the Kings and then take the OVER as a Max Play.

The first two games have soared OVER the total as Edmonton won Game 1 by a 7-4 score and then Los Angeles 5-4 in overtime in Game 2. Anze Kopitar scored 2:06 into the extra session to win it for the Kings, who are 1-5 their past six games as home underdogs and they have lost five of six against teams that allowed at least five goals their previous game. Both teams have gone OVER five straight in first round games and the Kings are 5-0 OVER overall their past five games as underdogs. The Oilers have won seven of the past nine meetings and Los Angeles won only 22 of 41 home games this season. Take the Oilers as a Max Play and the OVER as a Max Play.

Los Angeles dropped Game 1 in a rare poor defensive performance. The Kings were third during the regular season in goals given up (2.56 per game), fourth in shots on goal allowed, and fifth in save percentage (.912). They're 48-33 when revenging a same-season loss to an opponent and 19-8 on the road after a road game where both teams netted three or more goals. Edmonton is on a 5-6 run losing as chalk of -210, -270, -110, and -170. The defense finished 13th in save percentage (.904) and they're 9-16 after allowing four or more goals. Take Los Angeles as a Max Play. 

Los Angeles has won six of eight and is 48-32 when revenging a same-season loss to an opponent. You need defense to contend on the road in the playoffs and the Kings have it, ranked third during the regular season in goals given up (2.56 per game), fourth in shots on goal allowed, and fifth in save percentage (.912). Edmonton is on a 4-6 run heading into the playoffs losing as chalk of -210, -270, -110, and -170. The defense finished 13th in save percentage (.904). With the Oilers 70-112 when working with three or more days of rest, back the dog in Game 1. Play Los Angeles as a Max Play.