The Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings collide in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth year in a row. What began two decades ago as a conflict of the Western Conference titans has evolved into one of the most intense and compelling rivalries in the NHL.
CONFIRMED ✅
— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 17, 2025
Round One Schedule is here 📲 https://t.co/GBuBWqCo9w#GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/Jsh2OQgqSH
With the 2025 first-round series now booked, the Kings are looking for payback following three consecutive first-round exits by Connor McDavid and the Oilers. But to appreciate the stakes of this series, you need to know the history—a legacy that began during the Wayne Gretzky era.
The Gretzky Years: Birth of a Rivalry
In the early 1980s, the Oilers were a dominant team, boasting superstars like Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey. The Kings, meanwhile, were seen mainly as underdogs—until 1982, when they posted one of the greatest upsets in NHL history, known as the "Miracle on Manchester."
In Game 3 of their best-of-five series, the Kings overcame a 5-0 third-period deficit to defeat the Oilers 6-5 in overtime, eventually taking the series in five games.
But that was just the beginning. When the Kings acquired Wayne Gretzky in a blockbuster trade in 1988, the rivalry intensified. Los Angeles became an overnight hockey town, and the two teams would meet again in the playoffs four times over the next five years.
From 1989 to 1992, the Oilers defeated the Kings in three of their four playoff meetings, including a seven-game series that proved back-breaking in 1989. Despite the presence of the trio of superstars Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, and Rob Blake, the Kings never quite managed to surpass their northern rivals.
A Sleeping Rivalry Awakens
After the early 1990s, the playoff wars between the Kings and Oilers became dormant. There was a time when each franchise went into rebuild phases, and the fiercely contested playoff matches were nothing more than a forgotten memory. This all came to an end in 2022, as modern-day incarnations of the Kings and Oilers eventually met for the first time in the first round of the playoffs.
That set a new benchmark. The Kings, a ravenous young group that included veteran players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, pushed high-scoring Oilers to seven games. Although the Kings lost to Edmonton, the series showed the city of Los Angeles was again on the roster.
They reunited again in 2023. The Kings began quickly this time, taking a 2-1 series lead, but were unable to keep McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at bay, as they combined for 21 points between them in six games. The Oilers wrapped up the series in six.
By 2024, the tale was starting to sting. The Kings were again outclassed in the first round, beaten in five games by an Oilers squad that was purring along at full throttle. Even after beefing up their depth and defense, the result remained the same.
2025: The Kings' Best Opportunity Yet?
This year has a different tone to it than any other year these two teams have met. The Kings won a franchise record 31 games at home this season and secured home-ice advantage over Edmonton for the first time in this four-year cycle. Their goalie tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich has given them quality work down the stretch, and Kevin Fiala just completed a career-high 35-goal season.
NHL Hall of Famer and Kings President Luc Robitaille thinks @LAKings have a great shot to win the Stanley Cup this year.
— L.A. in a Minute (@LaInaMinute) April 18, 2025
I sit down for an excellent 1-on-1 as we go deep into his first impression of L.A. & legacy as a Top 100 player in NHL History.
Full Interview:… pic.twitter.com/YEwL1TWIUQ
Most significantly, Los Angeles enters this series with a balanced roster. While the Oilers still have otherworldly offense in McDavid and Draisaitl, the Kings counter with a deeper bottom six, an improved defensive setup, and a higher level of desperation.
Quinton Byfield has established himself as a two-way presence, and young stars like Trevor Moore and Alex Laferriere have given the Kings valuable secondary scoring. Drew Doughty patrolling the blue line and Kopitar still playing elite hockey well into his late 30s, L.A. may possess the right mix to dethrone the Oilers.
X-Factors and Legacy
This series will hinge on X-factors. Goaltending will be a massive concern: if Kuemper can match Skinner save for save, the Kings can ride in every game. Fiala's clutch ability to score in pressure situations might tip the tide. And Byfield's defensive role—especially if called upon to shadow McDavid—will be critical.
Again, if the Kings can do precisely what they did in the regular season, especially with home–ice advantage in this series, they will be tough to beat. It all comes down to being consistent for the Kings, which is something they’ve lacked over the last few seasons against this team. However, only time will tell if they can flip that script starting Monday night.
From a legacy standpoint, this season could redefine the Kings' DNA. Another postseason flameout would raise challenging questions about the long-term future of this team. But a breakthrough win over Edmonton could mark the beginning of a larger playoff run—and the end to the Oilers' psychological advantage over them.
Heck of a regular season...
— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 19, 2025
and we're just getting started 📈
Final Word
With the puck being dropped on Kings-Oilers Round IV, history cannot be evaded. From the Miracle on Manchester to the present-day showdowns between McDavid and Kopitar, this has been a rivalry that has always been dramatic. And with there being more on the line than ever, the 2025 edition may be the most significant chapter yet written.
It is not about getting over it for the Kings. It is about rewriting history.