Start date for Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings playoff series revealed
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time, and the series is very likely to begin on Sunday, April 20, or April 21st.
The Oilers met the Kings last night for a chippy affair, but it wasn't much of a playoff preview with 8 regular Oilers out of the lineup due to injury.
Likely start date for Edmonton Oilers playoffs revealed
With the Kings 5-0 over the Oilers last night, they officially clinched home ice advantage over Edmonton.
The NHL playoffs are slated to begin on April 19th. The Los Angeles Lakers, who share a building with the Kings, are slated to play their final regular season game on the 19th at 6:30MT.
That would likely mean the Oilers and Kings playoffs will begin on the 20th.
Fans still don't know what times the first games will start yet, but they will likely all be late games - 8:30MT start times - after the Eastern Conference games.
In addition, the Oilers will reportedly hear regular play-by-play broadcaster Jack Michaels all throughout the playoffs, instead of the usual switch to a National broadcaster.
Oilers officially lose out on home ice advantage in playoffs to LA Kings
Unfortunately, the Oilers losing home ice advantage will be quite a sting to the team for multiple reasons.
The Oilers have one of the most hostile environments for any road team with the deafening fans in Oil Country, and should've been good enough to secure home ice this year. Not finishing in the top 3 in the Pacific Division is quite a disappointment.
Not only that, but the LA Kings have the best home record in the NHL this season, with an absurd 31 wins.
Without Mattias Ekholm, and potentially Darnell Nurse, the Oilers critical Game 1 against LA may be more difficult than years past.
Still, the Oilers have the elite talent, playoff experience, and all the motivation in the world to get back to the Cup Final and win this season. Connor McDavid will be on a mission to beat the Kings, and carry the Oilers further into the playoffs.
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AVRIL 15 | 924 ANSWERS Start date for Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings playoff series revealed Who do you think will win in the first round playoff series? | ||
| Oilers | 742 | 80.3 % |
| Kings | 182 | 19.7 % |
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