The Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] in their first of four meetings during the 2024-25 NHL regular season. LA lost last season’s regular season series 3-1 before the Oilers eliminated the Kings in the first round of the playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/kings-and-oilers-feel-destined-for-another-first-round-clash]. This will be the first of a five-game home stand for LA who are 10-2-1 at Crypto.com Arena, this season. The Oilers come into this contest with an 8-2-0 record in their last ten games played. OLD FOEGY When the free agency period began on July 1st, 2024, General Manager Rob Blake leaped into action bringing Forward Warren Foegele to LA from Edmonton. In his three seasons with the Oilers, Foegele appeared in two hundred thirty-one regular season games registering ninety-five points (45G, 50A). Additionally, he totaled twelve points (5G, 7A) in forty-seven playoff appearances. In the offseason, Foegele and Quinton Byfield trained together at St. Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, the former’s high school alma mater. The duo were paired together early in the preseason, adding Tanner Jeannot a few weeks later. The trio has recently registered seven goals for and zero goals against. THE WELL HASN'T RUN DRAI Oilers Forward Leon Draisaitl is on a nine-game point streak, averaging 2.22 points per game (7G, 13A). In that span, there have only been two games where he’s notched a single point. In his NHL career, Draisaitl has faced the Kings thirty-five times and has been nearly a point per game player (35-12-21-33), with half of those points coming in their last ten meetings (10-8-9-17). Currently, Draisaitl is riding a seven-game point streak against LA (7-6-9-15). On September 3rd, 2024, Draisaitl signed a massive contract extension to stay in Edmonton at 8-years/$112M ($14M AAV) which will kick in next season, making him the highest paid player in the NHL. Edmonton’s offer was steep, considering they’ll have to match or exceed that total when they re-sign Connor McDavid at the end of next season. But they’re banking on the well not running dry any time soon. TO THE VIKTOR GO THE OILS Back on July 1st, 2021, the Kings made a trade with the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/] acquiring Forward Viktor Arvidsson. In three years with the Kings, Arvidsson was a solid contributor with one hundred twenty-three points (52G, 71A) in one hundred sixty-one regular season games, as well as ten points (1G, 9A) in eleven playoff contests. This despite suffering multiple, prolonged injuries. He really found his groove paired with Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore who, at times, were heralded as the team’s best Forward line. This past offseason, Arvidsson signed with the Oilers as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at 2-years/$8M ($4M AAV). Arvidsson has caught the injury bug again, in Edmonton, missing fifteen games from November 12th, 2024 to December 19th, 2024. Since returning, he’s recorded two points (1G, 1A) in three games played, blanked in two of those appearances. In fact, over his last ten games, Arvidsson has gone without a point seven times. Regardless, I expect the Kings will welcome Arvidsson back to LA [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/oilers-viktor-arvidsson-returns-to-la-for-crucial-matchup] with a video tribute and/or a chance for fans to appreciate him. Puck drop is slated for 1:05 PM PST. You can watch the game on television via FanDuel Sports Network or listen live with the ESPN LA app. Related Videos: LA Kings Weekly Preview THNWeek1222KeithFries
