Kings Host Oilers in Final Home Game of Season

Los Angeles looks to continue strong homestand against Pacific Division-leading Edmonton

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Kings and Oilers renew their heated rivalry, with both teams battling for crucial playoff positioning in the Western Conference.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Kings (33-26-19) host the Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10) in the final home game of the 2025-26 regular season. The Kings are in the midst of their most productive homestand of the season, going 4-1-1 so far, and will look to continue that success against the Pacific Division-leading Oilers. This matchup features several key storylines, including the productive forward line of Artemi Panarin, Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, as well as the defensive pairing of Brandt Clarke and Joel Edmundson, who have been a driving force for the Kings' offense.

Why it matters

This is a crucial game for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Kings are fighting to secure their spot in the postseason, while the Oilers are battling for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The outcome of this game could have significant implications on the final standings.

The details

The Kings are expected to ice the same lineup as their previous game against the Vancouver Canucks, with the exception of forward Jeff Malott, who is a game-time decision. Goaltender Anton Forsberg is likely to get the start in net for Los Angeles after winning his last three starts. For the Oilers, defenseman Evan Bouchard has been a key contributor in the two previous meetings between these teams, recording three assists.

  • The Kings and Oilers last met on February 26, when Edmonton defeated Los Angeles 8-1 at Crypto.com Arena.
  • The Kings are concluding a seven-game homestand, having gone 4-1-1 so far.
  • This is the final home game of the 2025-26 regular season for the Kings.

The players

Artemi Panarin

A highly skilled forward who has been instrumental in the Kings' offensive success, particularly when paired with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.

Anze Kopitar

The veteran center and longtime Kings captain, who has developed strong chemistry with Panarin and Kempe.

Adrian Kempe

A dynamic forward who has been a consistent scoring threat for the Kings, especially against the Oilers, with 43 points in 42 games over the past five seasons.

Brandt Clarke

The young defenseman has formed a productive partnership with Joel Edmundson, contributing to the Kings' offensive output.

Joel Edmundson

The veteran defenseman has complemented Clarke's offensive abilities, helping to create scoring opportunities for the Kings' top forwards.

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What they’re saying

“We've played however many years it's been and we know that's kind of a standard for a really good playoff team, so it's going to be a good test for our group to go up against those guys.”

— Alex Laferriere, Kings Forward

“That last game is still in our mind, where they took it to us, so we want to get revenge for that game.”

— Brandt Clarke, Kings Defenseman

“I'm just trying to keep up with the other four, honestly. It feels good. It seems like that's the game plan, get us out there with them and let Clarkie make some plays and get some movement around.”

— Joel Edmundson, Kings Defenseman

What’s next

The Kings and Oilers will meet again in the postseason if both teams secure a playoff berth. Their potential playoff matchup could be a highly anticipated series given the history and intensity between the two clubs.

The takeaway

The Kings' strong homestand has kept them in the playoff hunt, and a win against the division-leading Oilers would be a significant boost to their postseason aspirations. The productive forward line and defensive pairing have been key to the team's recent success, and their continued chemistry and communication will be crucial in this important late-season matchup.