I'm a big fan of NHL Edge. Here's a team by team comparisons of Oilers and potential first round opponents Kings and Vegas Golden Showers. Interesting stuff:
Oilers and Vegas team results:
NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Comparisons
Oilers and Kings team results:
NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Comparisons
Let me say that I hate Vegas and Dallas and prefer those two beat the shit of out of each other in the first round. Flush one turd in round one.
I do think there is far, far greater volatility in facing the Golden Showers. Their goals scored was nicked with only 61 games of an elite Eichel and 56 games of LTIR fraudster Stone. Injuries to Theodore and Peter Angel affected their blue line and goal suppression. They show solid mid-range scoring with 82 goals versus 59 by a largely healthy Oilers teams. Plus their deadline acquisitions of Hertl and Hanifan add quality support depth.
The Kings core were largely healthy. Team shot only 9.7% compared to Oilers 10.5% (+ Vegas 10.4%). There's not super elite talent with no one over 73 points. Team is big and play a stifling system. Guy like Dubois could be a sleeper or stay sleeping. Kopitar and Danault are elite defensive centres.
Blank slate with game 1 of the playoffs. Oil can play with anyone in a single game. Switching to grinding playoff series hockey is where the true test is taken. They have built significant resiliency through this year's elevator ride to start the season and have solid playoff experience. Gotta go through good teams all along the way. Will be interesting.