In a thrilling showdown on April 27, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, leveling the series at two games apiece. The Kings, who had controlled much of the game, found themselves unable to secure the victory despite holding a 3-1 lead entering the final period.
The Kings struck first, with forward Trevor Moore lighting the lamp at 10:35 of the opening period. After intercepting a pass along the boards, Moore received a feed from Phillip Danault, maneuvered into the right circle, and fired a wrist shot past Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead.
Just 1:31 into the second period, the Kings doubled their advantage when Warren Foegele scored his first goal of the postseason. Once again, Danault was instrumental, setting up Foegele, who initially had his shot stopped but followed up to push the puck across the goal line, making it 2-0.
However, the Oilers responded quickly, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at 4:11 of the second period. Corey Perry capitalized on a power play, batting a loose puck out of midair and into the net after a flurry of activity in front of Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.
Kevin Fiala then restored the Kings' two-goal lead at 7:32 of the second period. After receiving a pass from Alex Laferriere, Fiala showcased his skill by batting the puck out of midair and finishing with a shot that beat Pickard, putting the Kings ahead 3-1.
As the third period unfolded, the Oilers mounted a fierce comeback. Evan Bouchard scored a flukey goal at 7:51, cutting the Kings' lead to 3-2. A shot from the high slot deflected off Kings defenseman Drew Doughty’s skate, changing direction and eluding Kuemper.
With just 29 seconds left in regulation, the Oilers tied the game at 3-3. After a failed clearance attempt by Kings forward Quinton Byfield, the Oilers took advantage. Draisaitl found Bouchard at the point, who unleashed a powerful one-timer that found the back of the net, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime saw the Oilers continue their momentum. The Kings struggled to regain control, and a critical tripping penalty assessed to defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov put Edmonton on the power play. With 1:42 remaining in the extra period, Draisaitl scored the game-winner, tapping in a rebound after a shot from Bouchard, securing the victory for the Oilers.
The win marked Draisaitl's first career playoff overtime goal and underscored the Oilers' resilience, having trailed in all four games of the series but managing to score nine goals in the third period alone.
Phillip Danault, who had two assists in the game, reflected on the Kings' inability to close out games, stating, "We have to find a way to seal the deal. You have to make those plays when it counts." Coach Jim Hiller also acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in the critical moments of the game.
Despite the loss, the Kings had notable performances, with Moore scoring his second consecutive goal, Foegele finding the net for the first time this postseason, and Fiala extending his point streak against the Oilers to five games. Danault's contributions have also been significant, as he now boasts seven points in the series.
Looking ahead, Game 5 is set for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena, where the Kings will aim to regain control of the series. The stakes are high, and both teams are aware that the next game could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this tightly contested matchup.
As the series shifts back to Los Angeles, the Kings will need to address their late-game struggles to avoid a repeat of their recent disappointments. With the crowd behind them, they hope to capitalize on home ice advantage to take a crucial lead in the series.
