Stakes are high for Kings vs. Oilers

No pep talk needed for crucial Game 7

LOS ANGELES >> Tonight’s Game 7 will pit a band of brothers against a one-man gang as the Kings and Edmonton Oilers face off in a winner-take-all matchup to close the curtain on their first-round series.

It’ll be part of an supreme day of hockey that features two Game 7s in the Eastern Conference before the Kings and Oilers hit the big stage.

In franchise history, the Kings have won seven of 11 Game 7s, in addition to a decisive Game 5 (when the first round was shorter) and a winner-take-all Game 3 of a preliminary series. They’ve prevailed in their last four Game 7s — one in 2013 and a record three straight in 2014 — though only three players on their active roster were part of those victories.

Despite his team’s overall inexperience, Kings coach Todd McLellan said he would not have to sell the group on a growth opportunity or offer any boisterous monologues about the importance of the moment.

“I don’t think I’m going to have to go in there and give them any type of ‘Let’s win one for the Gipper’ type speeches,” he said. “There’s enough leadership in there and there’s a lot of proud guys in that room. We’re going to go play a hockey game.”

For the Kings, winger Adrian Kempe has led them in goals during the regular season and points during the playoffs, but his zone entries and creation of