Kings Aim to Avenge Earlier Loss to Oilers in Final Home Game

Pacific Division rivals meet in crucial late-season matchup with playoff positioning on the line.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:07am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, with the players and the action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette of purple, gold, orange, and blue.The Kings and Oilers renew their heated rivalry in a crucial late-season matchup that could shape the Western Conference playoff picture.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 NHL regular season. The Kings are looking to bounce back after an 8-1 loss to the Oilers in their previous meeting, as both teams battle for crucial playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Why it matters

This game has major implications for the playoff race, with the Kings fighting to secure their postseason spot and the Oilers vying for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The outcome could significantly impact the final standings in the West.

The details

The Kings are expected to use the same lineup as their previous game, except for forward Jeff Malott who is a game-time decision. Goaltender Anton Forsberg is likely to 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

This late-season clash between the Kings and Oilers will have a major impact on the Western Conference playoff picture, as the two teams look to secure favorable positioning heading into the postseason. The Kings will be seeking redemption after their lopsided loss to Edmonton earlier in the season, setting the stage for an intense and potentially pivotal matchup between these Pacific Division rivals.