2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

When the Kings hit the accelerator on their rebuild, their intention was to rush the team to contention status before their veteran franchise players Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty retired. All in all, this was pretty successful: four straight seasons flirting with 100 points in the standings and comfortable positions in the playoffs. Unfortunately, once they've gotten to the postseason they've had the misfortune of running into two of the best players in the world in the first round again, and again, and again. The Edmonton Oilers have been a brick wall blocking the Kings from any chance at executing their vision.

Over 30 years ago, these two teams were just as closely entwined; following the Gretzky trade, the Kings and Oilers faced off four straight seasons as well. Los Angeles won the firs