On Tuesday night, the Edmonton Oilers showcased a dominant performance against the Los Angeles Kings, winning 3-1 at Crypto.com Arena to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series. This victory marked the Oilers' third consecutive win in the series, putting them one step closer to advancing to the next round.
Mattias Janmark was the hero of the night, scoring the tiebreaking goal at 7:12 of the third period. Janmark’s goal came from a rebound after Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper made a save on a shot from Viktor Arvidsson. Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also contributed goals for the Oilers, with Nugent-Hopkins sealing the win with an empty-netter in the closing seconds of the game.
Calvin Pickard, the Oilers' goalie, made 20 saves, while Kuemper was busy in net for the Kings, stopping a remarkable 43 shots. Despite a strong start from the Kings, who scored first through Andrei Kuzmenko during a power play, the Oilers’ relentless pressure ultimately overwhelmed Los Angeles.
The Oilers controlled the game from the outset, outshooting the Kings 19-4 in the first period and 46-22 overall. This performance was a stark contrast to the early games in the series, where the Kings had taken a 2-0 lead. After two tough losses, the Oilers found their rhythm midway through Game 4, where they came back to win in overtime, and the momentum carried over into Game 5.
"They executed way better than us, they were stronger, they beat us in every area of the game," lamented Kings coach Jim Hiller after the match. The Oilers' improvement was evident, with winger Zach Hyman stating, "Probably, for a full 60, I think so. I don’t remember the last time we played as good a game as that." Hyman emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and confidence, especially after a rocky start to the playoffs.
Throughout the series, the Oilers have displayed a tenacity that has not only surprised their opponents but has also showcased their ability to come from behind. This latest victory marks the first time in franchise history that the Oilers have achieved three consecutive comeback wins in the playoffs.
"If you just don’t go away, if you keep believing, you give yourself a chance to win," Hyman added. The Oilers have indeed shown resilience, overcoming early deficits in each of the last three games.
Janmark, who has been a key player for the Oilers, echoed the sentiments of his teammates regarding the team’s mindset. "The feeling after the first period was we’re outplaying them and we have them where we want them and we have to keep pushing the gas," he said. His goal not only gave the Oilers the lead but also served as a testament to their determination to dominate the game.
Despite the Kings' strong start, with Kuzmenko scoring early in the second period, the Oilers quickly responded. Kane scored to tie the game just 2:43 after Kuzmenko's goal, demonstrating the Oilers' ability to bounce back under pressure.
As the series progresses, the Oilers have outshot the Kings significantly, with a staggering 66-25 advantage in shots on goal over the last four periods of play. This statistic highlights their offensive prowess and ability to control the pace of the game.
The Oilers will have the opportunity to close out the series when they return home for Game 6 on Thursday night, May 1, 2025. With the chance to eliminate the Kings for the fourth consecutive year, the Oilers are focused on maintaining their momentum and executing their game plan.
"It was one of those games where you could have got away from it because it wasn’t going in the net," Pickard said, reflecting on the game. "And credit to their goalie, he played fantastic. But we didn’t stray away from the game plan and got rewarded for it in the end and buckled down."
The Oilers' strategy has been to stay aggressive and maintain pressure, which has clearly paid off in their recent games. The Kings, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to stop the Oilers' offensive onslaught if they hope to extend their playoff run.
As the series heads into a decisive Game 6, both teams will be feeling the pressure. The Oilers are riding high on confidence after their recent victories, while the Kings will be looking to draw on their home-ice advantage to force a Game 7.
With everything on the line, fans can expect an exciting matchup as the Oilers aim to seal the deal and move forward in the playoffs. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this first-round series.
