Clues on social media may have just revealed the full playoff schedule between the Oilers and Kings, which is set to likely begin on Sunday or Monday.
The Edmonton Oilers will begin their Stanley Cup Playoff run on the road, but when does their series against the Los Angeles Kings begin?
While the official schedule is not yet released, arena availability indications on social media and throughout the internet offer a probable picture.
The Lakers begin their playoffs Saturday at home, which means the Oilers can't play
The Stanley Playoffs begin Saturday, coincidentally the same day the NBA's L.A. Lakers will begin their own playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. That would have the Oilers-Kings series beginning Sunday or Monday.
The Lakers' next game is Tuesday, so the reasonable assumption would be Wednesday for Game 2. Games 3 and 4 in Edmonton could be April 25 and 27 at Rogers Place, with April 29 being open at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. for Game 5.
Because of arena scheduling, the series may need two-day breaks prior to Game 6 and Game 7. Cypress Hill is playing at Rogers Place on May 1, making May 2 a logical option for Game 6 in Edmonton.
Game 7, if necessary, could be played on May 4, but that would require the Lakers and Kings to play on the same day, which could create a logistical nightmare.
May 5 is a possibility as well, which would make the most sense, traffic-wise wise in and out of the arena too.
If we assume the NHL starts the series on Monday to reduce the amount of two-day breaks, the series could look something like this:Game 1: Monday, April 21, Edmonton at L.A.
Game 2: Wednesday, April 23, Edmonton at L.A.
Game 3: Friday, April 25, L.A. at Edmonton
Game 4: Sunday, April 27, L.A. at Edmonton
Game 5: Tuesday, April 29, Edmonton at L.A.
Game 6: Friday, May 2, L.A. at Edmonton
Game 7: Monday, May 5, Edmonton at L.A.
The NHL will announce the official playoff schedule in the next couple of days.
