Oilers legend Mark Messier makes shocking pick in Oilers vs Kings playoff series
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For the first time in the Oilers and Kings last four playoff matchups, Los Angeles is considered the favourite to win - even by Oilers legend Mark Messier.
Top NHL analysts at the Athletic have also released projections for the playoffs, and have given the Kings a 50.2% chance to win the series.
Mark Messier backs Los Angeles Kings in playoff series against Edmonton Oilers
When previewing the series on a segment for NHL Network, Oilers legend Mark Messier repeatedly stressed that this year's Kings team is different - and may be able to topple Edmonton this time around.
The LA Kings this year are different. I think one of the reasons why they are different is because of Quinton Byfield. I think he's really emerged as a power forward, he's scoring goals, he's a big strong guy to be able to contain.
They didn't score enough goals. It was too hard, they had to play a perfect game. And of course, we know the high powered offence of the Oilers is too much to handle.
This year, the LA Kings over the last 20 games are scoring 4 goals a game. If they can continue to find offence, and Byfield plays the way he has over the second half of the season, I think it's going to be a big task for the Oilers with their injuries to get past the Kings this year.
- Mark Messier
They didn't score enough goals. It was too hard, they had to play a perfect game. And of course, we know the high powered offence of the Oilers is too much to handle.
This year, the LA Kings over the last 20 games are scoring 4 goals a game. If they can continue to find offence, and Byfield plays the way he has over the second half of the season, I think it's going to be a big task for the Oilers with their injuries to get past the Kings this year.
- Mark Messier
Looking at the Kings roster from last season, Messier is absolutely right. The Kings roster last year looks much worse than it does this year, and Quinton Byfield was still toiling on the 4th line.
Now down the middle with Kopitar, Danault, and Byfield, the Kings are incredibly deep at the crucial center position. On defence their group is much improved, and in goal Darcy Kuemper is a significant upgrade on Talbot.
Along with the Kings improved offence, defence, and goaltending, Stuart Skinner has had a remarkably inconsistent season. If they can catch lightning in a bottle offensively and Skinner struggles, this could be a quick series.
On Edmonton's side though, they have world-beaters. If the Oilers win this year's playoff series, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will have put the team on their back for a legendary offensive run to carry the team to another win - and that's the most likely outcome.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 18 | 1061 ANSWERS Oilers legend Mark Messier makes shocking pick in Oilers vs Kings playoff series Do you think the Kings are an improved team this year? | ||
| Yes | 821 | 77.4 % |
| No | 240 | 22.6 % |
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