Ben Shelley: Kings lock up third place in Pacific, will face Oilers in first round

If the Kings dont have a healthy KF and GV then it's going to be tough to score and probably EDM in 5/6. Kings have a full complement of players and it's anybody's in game 7.

With Ekholm powering Bouchard up and giving the Oilers 2 good to very good defensive pairings, with the depth in the bottom 6, with Skinner playing well, and with THAT guy and THAT OTHER guy on the power play, I think the Kings could take it to 6. But the Oilers are too damn good this year.

Fiala might be an x-factor if he can come back strong AND the officials don't swallow their whistles. The Oilers are a very physical team and the Kings can't answer that (or, they haven't yet in the last few years). If the officiating isn't tight, the Oilers will dominate the boards and corners.

If only the cup were decided by convincing arguments to back up predictions. Looks like we’ll have to watch it play out. I think the Oilers should win this series , Kings could win in a mild upset. I’m gonna predict Edmo ton in 5 or 6

EDM's attitude is so much different than last year. Ekholm was a huge addition for them. Holland did something right for once. Well besides the gamble on Kane. I said it at TDL. Kings need to add a center. And everyone then says no and names off all the centers on LA. Which most of them haven't played said position in the NHL because they aren't good enough. They needed to get a 3rd line center.

LA needs a healthy GV and Fiala. Also need Byfield to have a coming out party.

GKG

If only the cup were decided by convincing arguments to back up predictions. Looks like we’ll have to watch it play out. I think the Oilers should win this series , Kings could win in a mild upset. I’m gonna predict Edmo ton in 5 or 6
- HonkyTonkMan

Only reason Oilers win this series if the Kings don’t get Fiala and Vilardi back. If not then this will be a low scoring affair with probably the majority of goals PP, because the Oilers hardly score on the Kings 5v5. And we all know the Oilers will get plenty of chances on the PP.