March 13, 2026, promises a feast for hockey fans as two exciting NHL matchups take center stage. The New York Islanders are set to host the Los Angeles Kings, while the Edmonton Oilers travel to face the St. Louis Blues. Both games are pivotal as teams jockey for playoff positioning.

NHL Game Preview

Islanders Aim to Defend Home Ice

The Islanders are looking to extend their home dominance when they take on the visiting Kings. According to our GameSim model, the Islanders are favored with a 56% chance of victory, predicting a close 2.8 to 1.9 win over the Kings. With key players like Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair expected to shine, the Islanders are well-poised to outpace the Kings in front of their enthusiastic fans.

Barzal’s finesse and Duclair’s scoring ability will be crucial. Barzal is projected to notch 0.4 goals and 0.4 assists, while Duclair is expected to contribute 0.4 goals and 0.2 assists. On the defensive side, Tony DeAngelo is anticipated to be a playmaker, with projections of 0.1 goals and 0.7 assists. The Kings, meanwhile, will rely heavily on Brandt Clarke, who is predicted to deliver 0.2 goals and 0.5 assists, as they try to penetrate the Islanders' defensive stronghold.

Oilers Face a Battle in St. Louis

In another thrilling matchup, the Edmonton Oilers take their high-octane offense to St. Louis. The GameSim prediction slightly favors the Oilers, with a projected score of 3.4 to 3.2. This game is expected to be a shootout, showcasing some of the league's top talent.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are set to lead the charge for the Oilers. McDavid is projected to score 0.5 goals and 0.8 assists, while Draisaitl could add 0.3 goals and a whopping 1.2 assists. Evan Bouchard is also expected to make a significant impact with 0.4 goals and 1.0 assists. On the Blues' side, Pavel Buchnevich is the player to watch with his sharp shooting, projected at 0.6 goals and 0.6 assists, while Robert Thomas is likely to be a key playmaker with 0.3 goals and 0.6 assists.

Both games are set to be intense battles, with playoff implications adding to the stakes. As these teams vie for crucial points, the individual performances of these stars could make all the difference.

For those who crave detailed player statistics and in-depth analysis, these projections and more are available exclusively to GameSim+ subscribers. Dive into the numbers and enhance your game-watching experience by subscribing to GameSim+ today.