Raiders & Oil Kings to reacquaint in first round of 2025 WHL Playoffs

The East Division-champion Prince Albert Raiders will go toe-to-toe with the Edmonton Oil Kings to open the first round of the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.

The Raiders (39-23-5-1, 84 points) laid claim to the East Division crown in dramatic fashion Saturday night, edging out the Saskatoon Blades by a 4-3 tally, including a game-winning goal from Seattle Kraken prospect Lukas Dragicevic with a mere 3:01 remaining in regulation.

The Oil Kings (36-27-2-2, 76 points) return to the WHL Playoffs for the first time since winning the 2022 WHL Championship. In 2025, they enter post-season play as the seventh seed.

For Prince Albert, it was a race to the finish for the East Division crown, as the upstart Raiders won a three-horse race in the final week of the 2024-25 WHL Regular Season, fending off the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Blades. Not only did Prince Albert win on home ice Saturday, they scored a home-and-home sweep of the Blades this weekend, including a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime triumph Friday in Saskatoon.

Edmonton will complete its 68-game slate with a Sunday afternoon matinee, hosting the Red Deer Rebels at Rogers Place.

St. Louis Blues prospect Tomas Mrsic has enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Hockey Town North, racking up 89 points (33G-56A) in 65 games to lead the Raiders in scoring. Veteran forward Aiden Oiring has also been a driving force, collecting 85 points (29G-56A) in 68 outings.

For the Oil Kings, an incredible season from Florida Panthers prospect Gracyn Sawchyn has helped to pace the offense. The product of Grande Prairie, Alta., secured a 30-goal, 77-point campaign to lead Edmonton in scoring.

Back in 2019, the Raiders and Oil Kings met in an electric Eastern Conference Championship. That spring, it was the Raiders emerging in six games en route to winning the 2019 WHL Championship.

The two teams also met in the first round of the 2014 WHL Playoffs, with the Oil Kings sweeping the Raiders before eventually marching on to claim the 2014 WHL Championship.

The best-of-seven first-round series between the Raiders and Oil Kings Kings will start up Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. MT.

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