{"id":466124,"date":"2025-04-05T08:53:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T12:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=466124"},"modified":"2025-04-05T08:53:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T12:53:02","slug":"nhl-predictions-april-5-edmonton-oilers-vs-los-angeles-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/05\/nhl-predictions-april-5-edmonton-oilers-vs-los-angeles-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: April 5 Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/04\/leon-draisaitl-injury-not-serious\/\" target=\"_self\">\u00a0Edmonton Oilers\u00a0<\/a>taking on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/03\/14\/nhl-rumours-los-angeles-kings-hope-to-extend-defender\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a>.\u00a0Don\u2019t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as\u00a0our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-2 Devils<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> ABC; Sportsnet; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>We open up NHL predictions with an early matchup between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/03\/new-york-rangers-rookie-duo\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/03\/31\/new-jersey-devils-playoff-chances-faltering\/\" target=\"_self\">New Jersey Devils.<\/a> The Blueshirts are expected to go <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Quick<\/a> in goal for this game. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. New York is led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a>, who is first in goals (34), assits (48) and points (82) this season.<\/p>\n<p>New Jersey is expected to counter with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marksja02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Markstrom<\/a> in between the pipes for this game. The Devils 5-4-1 in the last 10 and winners of two straight just like the Rangers are. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/brattje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Bratt<\/a> is tops in assists (66) and points (86) so far this campaign for New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>The Rangers need points, but the Devils get the home win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Devils win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-1 Kings<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time<\/strong>: 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> Sportsnet; Fan Duel Sports West; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>We go to our feature <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/nhl\/events\/30638\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our main game<\/a> of NHL predictions between the Oilers and the Kings. Edmonton is likely to start with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pickaca01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvin Pickard<\/a> in between the pipes for this game. The Oilers will be without both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a> for this game. Players like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nugenry01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bouchev01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Bouchard<\/a> will have step up.<\/p>\n<p>Los Angeles will probably start with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuempda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darcy Kuemper<\/a> in net for this likely first round Stanley Cup Playoff preview. The Kings are 7-3 in the last 10 and have taken their last three games entering this one. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kempead01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adrian Kempe<\/a> is first in goals (33) and points (63) for Los Angeles this season.<\/p>\n<p>The Oilers will feel the loss of both superstars and the Kings should take advantage of it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Kings win 4-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 2-0 Bruins<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> NESN; Fan Duel Sports South; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>Our last game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/03\/carolina-hurricanes-centre-mark-jankowski-success-story\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> going for the season-sweep against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/04\/nhl-rumours-boston-bruins-coaching-search\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a>. The Hurricanes are expected to start <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/anderfr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frederik Andersen<\/a> in goal for this game. Carolina is 7-3 in the last 10 games, but coming off a loss entering this matchup. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ahose01,ahose02&amp;search=Sebastian+Aho&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebastian Aho<\/a> is first on the Hurricanes in assists (42) and points (70).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/swaymje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Swayman<\/a> is the likely starter for a Boston team that has lost a dizzying 10 games in a row. The Bruins are struggling mightily and are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference entering play on Saturday. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> is a bright spot with the team-lead in goals (37), assists (52) and points (89).<\/p>\n<p>Carolina is coming off a loss on Friday, but should bounce back.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our props. For Edmonton, take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hymanza01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Hyman<\/a> to get a power-play point. On the Los Angeles side, go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kopitan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-05_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anze Kopitar<\/a> to get the over on 0.5 assists.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-273541d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-content\" data-id=\"273541d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-content.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<p><em><strong><span class=\"s6\">Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b5d790 elementor-author-box--avatar-yes elementor-author-box--name-yes elementor-author-box--biography-yes elementor-author-box--link-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"3b5d790\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-author-box\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the\u00a0Edmonton Oilers\u00a0taking on the\u00a0Los Angeles [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":441416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,4547,24,4548,4524],"tags":[6081,6010,6017,6028,6079,6122],"class_list":["post-466124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oilers","category-hockey","category-kings","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-carolina-hurricanes-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions","tag-los-angeles-kings-predictions","tag-new-jersey-devils-predictions","tag-new-york-rangers-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=466124"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":466135,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466124\/revisions\/466135"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/441416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=466124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=466124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=466124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}