As the NHL gears up for an exciting Sunday night, nine games are on the schedule, with a particular focus on the late matchups. The highlight is the nationally televised clash between the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks, set to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This game marks the fourth and final encounter of the season between these two teams, with the home side currently holding the advantage in their previous three meetings.

The Stars, with a record of 20-13-1, look to bounce back after a narrow 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks, struggling at 12-22-2, are on a three-game losing streak following a heavy 6-2 defeat in Buffalo. The Stars’ Jake Oettinger is projected to start in goal, while the Blackhawks will rely on Arvid Soderblom.

In another matchup, the Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Kings, boasting a record of 20-10-5, previously defeated the Flyers 7-3 in their last encounter. With both teams coming off recent games, the Kings appear to be better positioned for success in this matchup, particularly with their solid goaltending.

Betting insights suggest taking the Stars on the puck line against the Blackhawks and favoring the Kings to cover against the Flyers, with favorable odds available across various sportsbooks. The night promises to be action-packed with potential for significant outcomes in the NHL standings.

The Los Angeles Kings secured a significant 4-3 overtime victory against the Edmonton Oilers, marking their first meeting of the season and a crucial moment in their ongoing rivalry. Having faced the Oilers in the playoffs for the last three seasons, the Kings were eager to prove their growth and competitiveness, especially with the potential of facing the same opponent again in the playoffs. Kings forward Phillip Danault acknowledged the rivalry's intensity, while coach Jim Hiller emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than the past playoff failures.

This win not only tied both teams for second place in the Pacific Division but also suggested that the Kings might be closing the gap with the Oilers. The Kings have revamped their roster, adding seven new players since their last encounter, which included contributions from Warren Foegele and Tanner Jeannot. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their new lineups. Ultimately, Quinton Byfield's goal in overtime sealed the victory for the Kings, providing a much-needed boost as they aim to overcome their historical struggles against Edmonton.

Despite the excitement surrounding the win, Hiller maintained a measured perspective, indicating that the true significance of the game would be determined in the playoffs. This matchup was more than just another game; it served as a litmus test for the Kings' progress and resilience against a familiar foe, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling playoff series in the spring.

The Los Angeles Kings faced a significant challenge on Saturday as they took on the Edmonton Oilers, a team that has historically troubled them in the playoffs. With the Kings' previous three seasons ending in first-round exits against the Oilers, this matchup at Crypto.com Arena served as a crucial test for the Kings. Despite the weight of the rivalry, Kings forward Phillip Danault downplayed the importance of the game, emphasizing that regular-season performance doesn't dictate playoff outcomes. Coach Jim Hiller echoed this sentiment, stating that while the Oilers are a team they want to beat, they wouldn’t overemphasize the game.

However, the Kings' 4-3 overtime victory was anything but trivial. The win, highlighted by Quinton Byfield's decisive goal, not only tied the teams for second place in the Pacific Division but also indicated a potential shift in the balance of power between the two teams. The Kings have made significant changes since their last playoff encounter, adding seven new players, while the Oilers have seen ten departures. This transformation was evident as Kings players like Warren Foegele, who previously played for Edmonton, contributed significantly to the win.

Throughout the game, the intensity of the rivalry was palpable, with both teams exchanging leads and battling fiercely. The Kings rallied from behind twice, showcasing their resilience and determination. The matchup marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing rivalry, with the Kings aiming to overcome their historical struggles against the Oilers. As the season progresses, the implications of this victory could resonate into the playoffs, where the true test of the Kings' evolution will be revealed.

Quinton Byfield delivered a thrilling performance for the Los Angeles Kings, netting his second goal in overtime to secure a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. This win marks the Kings' first of four regular-season encounters against the Oilers, who have historically eliminated them from playoff contention in recent years. Byfield's decisive wrist shot from the right circle not only clinched the game but also highlighted the Kings' determination to overcome their playoff nemesis.

Warren Foegele was instrumental in the Kings' success, contributing a goal and two assists, while Tanner Jeannot also found the net. The Kings have now extended their home winning streak to six games, showcasing their improved performance this season. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves, helping to keep the Oilers at bay.

For the Oilers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power-play goal, with contributions from Kasperi Kapanen and Viktor Arvidsson. Despite the loss, the Oilers had been riding a three-game winning streak prior to this match. Stuart Skinner also recorded 24 saves but could not prevent the defeat.

In a strategic off-season move, the Kings added Foegele and Jeannot to enhance their physical play, a response to the Oilers' dominance in their previous playoff encounters. The duo's performance alongside Byfield resulted in a combined seven points and a notable plus-7 rating.

The game had its pivotal moments, especially in overtime when Jeannot's aggressive play led to a crucial turnover, allowing the Kings to seize control. Notably, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl extended their impressive point streaks to ten games, with McDavid's streak being the second-longest in NHL history.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to compete again soon, with the Oilers facing the Anaheim Ducks and the Kings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers.

Quinton Byfield showcased his talent with a dramatic overtime goal, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. This win marked the Kings' first of four regular-season encounters with the Oilers, a team that has historically posed challenges for them in the playoffs. Byfield's decisive goal came from a wrist shot in the right circle, sealing the Kings' sixth consecutive home win. The game was characterized by strong performances from Warren Foegele, who contributed a goal and two assists, and Tanner Jeannot, who also found the net.

On the other side, the Oilers saw Ryan Nugent-Hopkins score on a power play, with Kasperi Kapanen and Viktor Arvidsson also contributing goals. Despite this loss, Edmonton had been on a three-game winning streak prior to this matchup. Kings' goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves, while Stuart Skinner of the Oilers matched that save total but could not secure the win.

The Kings made strategic roster changes in the offseason, bringing in Foegele and Jeannot to enhance their physical play against the Oilers, a tactic that proved effective in this game. The Kings' penalty kill, a noted weakness in previous playoff encounters with the Oilers, was tested but ultimately limited the Oilers to just two power-play opportunities. A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Jeannot wrestled the puck away from Evan Bouchard in overtime, allowing the Kings to gain crucial possession and tire out star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Notably, McDavid and Draisaitl continued their impressive form, each extending their point streaks to ten games. McDavid's streak marks the 16th time he has reached double digits in points, a feat surpassed only by Wayne Gretzky in NHL history.