Oilers Look to Extend Pacific Division Lead Against Kings

Edmonton and Los Angeles meet in a key late-season clash with playoff positioning on the line.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:26pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors representing the teams' uniforms.The Oilers and Kings battle for crucial points in a tight Pacific Division race, their contrasting styles and colors colliding in an intense late-season clash.Los Angeles Today

The Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings face off on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup. The Oilers (40-29-10) currently sit atop the division and are looking to extend their lead, while the Kings (33-26-19) are fighting for a playoff spot. Edmonton is coming off a dominant 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, led by a 5-point night from star center Connor McDavid. The Kings, meanwhile, have won three straight games and are looking to continue their late-season surge.

Why it matters

This game has major implications for the playoff race in the Western Conference. The Oilers are trying to solidify their position at the top of the Pacific Division, while the Kings are battling to secure a postseason berth. A win for Edmonton would widen the gap, while a Kings victory would pull them closer to a playoff spot with just a few games remaining.

The details

The season series between the Oilers and Kings is tied 1-1 so far. Edmonton rolled to an 8-1 win in their last meeting on February 26, but Los Angeles won the first matchup 4-3 in a shootout on January 10. Both teams have been playing well lately, with the Oilers winning 6 of their last 8 games and the Kings winning 3 straight. Goaltending will be a key factor, as Tristan Jarry is expected to start for Edmonton and Anton Forsberg for Los Angeles.

  • The game is set for a 4 p.m. ET puck drop on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Oilers defeated the Sharks 5-2 on Wednesday, April 9.
  • The Kings beat the Canucks 4-1 on Thursday, April 10.

The players

Connor McDavid

The Oilers' star center, who leads the NHL in scoring with 133 points this season.

Tristan Jarry

The Oilers' starting goaltender, who has a 18-9-3 record this season.

Anton Forsberg

The Kings' starting goaltender, who has a 14-11-5 record and has been sharp in April.

Adrian Kempe

The Kings' right winger, who scored two goals in their last game against the Canucks.

Joel Armia

The Kings' right winger, who also scored in their win over the Canucks.

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What they’re saying

“We know the Oilers are a tough team, but we're playing our best hockey of the season right now. We're confident we can match up with them and come away with the win.”

— Adrian Kempe, Kings Right Winger

“This is a big game for us as we try to lock up the division. We're going to need another strong effort from our top players, and I know Connor is ready to lead the way.”

— Jay Woodcroft, Oilers Head Coach

What’s next

The Oilers and Kings will meet again on April 13 in Edmonton to wrap up the regular season series.

The takeaway

This late-season clash between the Oilers and Kings has major playoff implications, as both teams jockey for position in the tight Western Conference race. Edmonton's high-powered offense, led by the incomparable Connor McDavid, will be tested by a Kings team that has found its stride in recent weeks. The outcome of this game could go a long way in determining the final playoff picture in the Pacific Division.