The Los Angeles Kings could end up playing the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth straight playoff showdown

The Los Angeles Kings, like the Edmonton Oilers, have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

In their last 10 games, both the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings boast an impressive 8-2 record.

However, while the Kings appear to have hit a bit of a plateau, the Edmonton are hitting their stride and gaining momentum at the perfect time.

The Kings concluded their second seven-game road trip with an identical record of 3-2-2 to their first seven-game road trip to start the season. In the last four games of this road trip, they managed a record of 1-1-2, which many would describe as a point-accruing slide.

Although the Los Angeles Kings are a formidable team, their recent cool-off couldn't come at a worse time for them.

Just last week, the Kings were poised to take first place in the Pacific Division, which would have reduced their risk of playing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs.

Thanks to their recent road trip slump , they find themselves in a familiar position from last season -- third place in the division, staring down at a first round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers directly for a 4th straight season.

While it's only December, one can only imagine the last thing the Kings want is another first round matchup against the Oilers.