LOS ANGELES – The Edmonton Oilers have turned the tide in their first-round playoff series against the L.A. Kings, taking a 3-2 lead after a decisive 3-1 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. This marked the Oilers' third consecutive win after dropping the first two games of the series, showcasing their resilience and determination.
From the outset, Edmonton demonstrated their intent to dominate, outshooting the Kings 19-4 in a goalless first period. Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper was exceptional, making numerous key saves to keep his team in the game. However, the Oilers' relentless pressure paid off as they continued to push forward.
"If you just don’t go away, if you keep believing, you give yourself a chance to win," said Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who contributed significantly with ten hits throughout the game. "Playoffs are an emotional roller-coaster for both teams. You have to make sure you can steady yourself."
Early in the second period, the Kings struck first during a power play. Forward Andrei Kuzmenko redirected a wrist shot from Anze Kopitar, giving L.A. a 1-0 lead. This was Kuzmenko's third goal of the playoffs, showcasing his importance in their offensive strategy.
However, the Oilers quickly retaliated. Just shy of three minutes after Kuzmenko's goal, Evander Kane answered back for Edmonton. Kane fired a wrist shot from the high slot, beating Kuemper on the glove side to tie the game at 1-1. This goal marked a critical moment, as it shifted the momentum back in favor of the Oilers.
"It was a nice reminder of how we can play when we’re urgent and desperate," Kane remarked after the game. "We wanted to come up with that same mindset tonight, and I think we did a great job of that."
As the game progressed, the Oilers continued to assert their dominance. Mattias Janmark scored the game-winning goal at 7:12 of the third period, capitalizing on a rebound after Viktor Arvidsson's shot was saved by Kuemper. Janmark's goal not only gave Edmonton a 2-1 lead but also marked his second goal of the playoffs, highlighting his resurgence after a quiet regular season.
The Kings pressed hard for an equalizer, pulling Kuemper for an extra attacker in the final minutes. However, their efforts were thwarted as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, bringing the final score to 3-1.
"We’ve proven we’re a pretty good hockey team," Kings head coach Jim Hiller said. "So you’re a pretty good hockey team, go there and take it back. Because they just took it away from us." Hiller acknowledged the Oilers' superior performance, stating that they were stronger and beat the Kings in every area of the game.
Calvin Pickard, the Oilers' goaltender, made 21 saves on 22 shots, further solidifying his position as a key player in the series. His performance was crucial in maintaining the Oilers' momentum and securing the win. "It was one of those games where you could have got away from it because it wasn’t going in the net," Pickard noted. "But we didn’t stray away from the game plan and got rewarded for it in the end."
The Oilers have now outscored the Kings 6-1 since the start of the third period in Game 4, demonstrating a complete turnaround from their earlier struggles in the series. This comeback marks the first time in franchise history that Edmonton has recorded three consecutive comeback wins in the playoffs.
The Kings will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for Game 6, which will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Edmonton. With their backs against the wall, the Kings are faced with the daunting task of overcoming the Oilers in hostile territory.
As the series shifts back to Alberta, the Oilers will look to close it out and advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. The atmosphere in Rogers Place is expected to be electric as fans rally behind their team in this pivotal matchup.
Meanwhile, the Kings will aim to draw upon their impressive regular-season record, where they tied franchise records for wins (48) and points (105). Captain Anze Kopitar, who recorded an assist in Game 5, expressed the need for his team to focus on the task at hand. "We’ve got to put it behind us. We’ve got to go win a game on the road, and that’s what we’re going to focus on," he said.
With the series now poised for a thrilling conclusion, both teams are set for an intense showdown that could define their playoff journeys. Will the Oilers continue their momentum and secure a spot in the second round, or can the Kings mount a comeback to force a decisive Game 7? Only time will tell as the playoff drama unfolds.
