Connor McDavid’s 800th career NHL game could become one of the most interesting fantasy hockey matchups of the young season. The Edmonton Oilers visit the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and the numbers point toward an opportunity for Edmonton’s elite scorers.
McDavid enters with 13 points in five games, while Evan Bouchard has six goals and 12 points from the blue line. Edmonton is averaging five goals per game. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has opened 0-2-2 and owns a penalty kill operating at just 56.3 percent.
But I wouldn’t automatically assume another offensive explosion.
The Kings have allowed only two goals in each of their past two games, and Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield are capable of punishing Edmonton’s own struggling penalty kill.
Injuries also complicate this matchup. Edmonton is missing important veteran forwards, while Los Angeles has been forced to reshuffle its supporting lines.
What I’m watching: Whether McDavid and Bouchard can exploit Los Angeles’ penalty kill, and whether the Kings’ top line can turn its offensive chances into meaningful fantasy production.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Game Information
The Oilers and Kings meet at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.
This is a regular-season Pacific Division matchup taking place during the NHL’s Frozen Frenzy, when all 32 teams are in action.
Los Angeles, CA
Sportsnet+ · TVA Sports streaming
NHL Power Play / ESPN App (out of market)
ESPN LA 710 / KLAA 830 (LAK network)
Broadcast availability can change and regional restrictions may apply. Check your provider shortly before puck drop.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
Edmonton enters with a 4-0-1 record, nine points and four consecutive victories. The Oilers have scored 25 goals while allowing 17, producing an impressive 5.00 goals-per-game average.
Los Angeles has collected two points through four games, scoring 10 goals and allowing 17. Its 2.50 goals per game ranks well behind Edmonton’s offensive pace, while its 4.25 goals allowed per game creates obvious concerns for fantasy managers considering Kings goaltenders.
However, context matters.
The Kings surrendered 13 goals in their first two contests but only four across their next two. Their latest outing was a 2-1 overtime loss to Vegas on October 10.
I see that as an important warning against blindly projecting five or six Edmonton goals.
Special teams could decide where the fantasy points accumulate. Edmonton’s power play has converted 22.2 percent of its opportunities, compared with 20.0 percent for Los Angeles.
Neither penalty kill has performed particularly well. Edmonton is at 66.7 percent, while Los Angeles sits at 56.3 percent.
For fantasy purposes, that makes first-unit power-play deployment unusually important on both sides.
The Oilers have also won their first three road games, whereas Los Angeles lost its only home game.
Their most recent meeting provides a contrasting storyline. On April 11, 2026, Anton Forsberg stopped 27 shots as Los Angeles shut out Edmonton 1-0. Panarin scored the winner.
My takeaway is that Edmonton owns the offensive advantage, but Los Angeles has already demonstrated that it can slow this opponent down.
Edmonton Oilers
- Record
- 4-0-1
- Standings Points
- 9
- Goals Scored
- 25
- Goals Against
- 17
- Goals Against / Game
- 3.40
- Power Play
- 22.22%
- Penalty Kill
- 66.67%
Los Angeles Kings
- Record
- 0-2-2
- Standings Points
- 2
- Goals Scored
- 10
- Goals Against
- 17
- Goals Against / Game
- 4.25
- Power Play
- 20.00%
- Penalty Kill
- 56.25%
NHLTradeRumor Fantasy Edge: Edmonton has scored twice as many goals per game as Los Angeles. The Kings’ 56.25% penalty kill also raises the potential value of Oilers power-play contributors. Early-season samples remain small.
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Lead Edmonton’s Fantasy Attack
McDavid remains my strongest individual fantasy selection.
With three goals and 10 assists, he has been directly involved in more than half of Edmonton’s 25 goals. He is also averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time.
That combination of opportunity and production gives him multiple routes to fantasy points, even if Edmonton’s recent shooting percentage cools.
Leon Draisaitl has three goals, six assists and 21 shots through five games. He remains particularly valuable in formats rewarding shots, power-play production and faceoff wins.
Edmonton’s October 10 projected lineup placed Vasily Podkolzin alongside McDavid and Draisaitl.
Podkolzin has responded with five goals and seven points. I like his short-term upside, although his 29.4 percent shooting percentage suggests fantasy managers should expect some regression.
Evan Bouchard Could Be the Matchup’s Biggest Difference-Maker
Bouchard’s six goals in five games are extraordinary for a defenceman.
He has 12 points, 17 shots and an average ice time approaching 25 minutes. His offensive responsibilities alongside Mattias Ekholm and his involvement in Edmonton’s attacking structure create an exceptional fantasy combination.
I would rank Bouchard among the strongest defensive options on tonight’s schedule.
Still, six goals on 17 shots is not sustainable over an entire season. The better long-term indicator is his heavy usage, shot creation and offensive involvement.
Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield Carry Los Angeles
The Kings’ greatest fantasy strength is their first forward line.
Panarin has three goals and four points through four games. Kempe has one goal and two assists, while Byfield supplies speed, puck retrieval and offensive-zone pressure.
The trio was especially effective against San Jose earlier this month, when all three scored and produced multiple points.
I believe Panarin offers the highest offensive ceiling among Kings forwards. Kempe’s 15 shots through four games make him attractive in shot-heavy scoring formats, even without a large early point total.
Byfield is my potential breakout candidate. His ability to create space for Panarin could turn into additional assists and power-play opportunities.
On defence, Brandt Clarke has three assists and remains a worthwhile fantasy watch because of his offensive instincts.
Goaltending Fantasy Outlook
Edmonton has used Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry, with Frederik Andersen unavailable because of injury.
Jarry stopped 19 of 20 shots against San Jose on October 10. Levi has also contributed victories during Edmonton’s strong opening stretch.
Los Angeles has relied on Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg. Kuemper made 30 saves against Vegas despite the overtime loss.
Neither team’s starter has been confirmed for this matchup.
Until the announcements arrive, I prefer Edmonton’s potential for a goaltender victory but would remain cautious about save percentages given both teams’ early defensive numbers.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
These are my game-specific player projections based on recent performance, established offensive roles and expected opportunities.
NHLTradeRumor Fantasy Watch
October 13, 2026 · Single-game projected point ranges
Projection disclaimer: These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes. Point ranges are editorial estimates, not guarantees. Confirm final lineups and power-play units.
These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes. They are estimates, not guarantees, and should be revisited when the teams confirm their lineups.
Top Five Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings Fantasy Scorers for 2026-27
Early-season scoring rankings are useful, provided fantasy managers don’t confuse a five-game sample with a full-season expectation.
For perspective, Edmonton’s top five scorers in 2025-26 were Connor McDavid (48 goals, 90 assists, 138 points), Leon Draisaitl (35-62-97), Evan Bouchard (21-74-95), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (20-36-56) and Zach Hyman (31-21-52).
Los Angeles was led by Adrian Kempe (36-37-73), Quinton Byfield (24-25-49), Alex Laferriere (21-23-44), Brandt Clarke (8-32-40) and Kevin Fiala (18-22-40).
Those numbers establish the longer-term scoring baseline. Injuries, new combinations and roster changes are now affecting both clubs.
For the current 2026-27 season, the NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index below compares each team’s five leading point producers entering October 13.
NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index
2026-27 regular season · Through October 12 · G-A-P and indexed point production
Edmonton Oilers
- Connor McDavid3-10-13
- Evan Bouchard6-6-12
- Leon Draisaitl3-6-9
- Vasily Podkolzin5-2-7
- Alex Formenton1-2-3
Los Angeles Kings
- Artemi Panarin3-1-4
- Brandt Clarke0-3-3
- Alex Laferriere1-2-3
- Adrian Kempe1-2-3
- Erik Haula1-2-3
NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index: Each player’s point total is indexed against his team’s leading scorer. This visualization describes past production and is not a future projection. Formula: player points ÷ team-leader points × 100. G-A-P = goals, assists, points.
My fantasy takeaway is that Edmonton’s early production is concentrated heavily among its top offensive players. Los Angeles has a much smaller scoring sample, making role and usage particularly important when evaluating its forwards.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
Edmonton’s early injuries have already changed how head coach Mike Babcock distributes offensive responsibility.
Zach Hyman has been sidelined by an upper-body injury, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been unavailable with a lower-body issue. Both are important components of Edmonton’s usual offensive structure.
Their absences create opportunities for players such as Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen, particularly if they receive additional top-six or power-play responsibilities.
Colton Dach has also been placed on injured reserve, while Matt Savoie, Mattias Janmark and Frederik Andersen have been unavailable.
Jake Walman missed the October 10 game with a lower-body injury that the coaching staff did not expect to be long term. His status should be checked before selecting Edmonton defencemen.
Los Angeles has its own problems.
Kevin Fiala remains unavailable following leg surgery. Mats Zuccarello and Alex Turcotte were placed on injured reserve on October 10.
That makes Alex Laferriere, Trevor Moore and Erik Haula worth monitoring for additional offensive responsibility.
Jared Wright was also brought into the lineup for the Vegas game. I would consider him a prospect or deep-league monitoring option rather than an automatic fantasy starter.
My biggest injury-related fantasy takeaway: Pay attention to who replaces injured players on the power play. Extra first-unit minutes can matter more than a nominal promotion in the five-on-five lineup.
Los Angeles appears to have greater projected flexibility for short-term roster adjustments. Edmonton’s situation requires closer attention to LTIR and daily roster accounting.
Neither figure changes my prediction directly, but injuries and transactions can create unexpected fantasy opportunities.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Fantasy Hockey Prediction
My Score Prediction: Edmonton Oilers 4 – Los Angeles Kings 3
I’m taking Edmonton to win, but I expect a closer game than the early standings might suggest.
The Oilers have too much established offensive talent to ignore, and McDavid’s current production makes him particularly difficult to contain. Draisaitl and Bouchard strengthen Edmonton’s ability to create chances in different situations.
Los Angeles, however, has improved defensively over its past two games. I also expect Panarin and Kempe to challenge Edmonton’s vulnerable penalty kill.
My projected scoring environment is moderately high, with both teams capable of producing multiple goals.
The biggest uncertainty involves goaltending. A strong Kuemper or Forsberg performance could keep the game low-scoring, while an early Edmonton power-play goal could force Los Angeles into a more aggressive approach.
I expect McDavid to collect at least one point, with Bouchard having a reasonable opportunity to contribute offensively. Panarin is my preferred Kings player to produce a significant response.
What matters more than the final score?
For fantasy managers, the bigger story could be Edmonton’s power-play configuration and whether Podkolzin maintains his prominent offensive role when injured veterans return.
I’m also watching how Los Angeles deploys Clarke and its top forwards on the man advantage.
Those decisions may tell us considerably more about sustainable fantasy value than one October result.
How to Watch Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
The game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Puck drop is 10:30 p.m. ET, 9:30 p.m. CT and 8:30 p.m. MT (7:30 p.m. Pacific).
In Canada, the published television listings include Sportsnet One and TVA Sports, with streaming through eligible Sportsnet+ and TVA Sports services.
In the United States, the Kings’ local broadcast is on ABTV, with local streaming options through LA Kings on DAZN. Eligible out-of-market viewers can use NHL Power Play through the ESPN App.
For radio, Edmonton fans can listen through the Oilers Radio Network, including 880 CHED. Los Angeles’ regular radio outlets include ESPN LA 710, KLAA 830 and associated apps; confirm tonight’s specific carriage.
Regional blackouts mean that a streaming subscription does not always provide access to a local team’s games. Availability depends on your location, television territory and subscription.
Check your provider shortly before puck drop.
For more information, visit our Edmonton Oilers TV schedule and Los Angeles Kings TV schedule. You can also follow the 2026-27 NHL point leaders throughout the season. While you’re here, join our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills against other hockey fans and compete for ultimate bragging rights.
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