EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers showcased their resilience once again, tying their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings following a thrilling 4-3 victory in Game 4 at Rogers Place on Sunday night. The game featured a dramatic finish, with Evan Bouchard scoring the equalizer with just 29 seconds left in regulation, followed by Leon Draisaitl netting the game-winner on a power play in overtime.
After the Kings took an early lead, the Oilers found themselves in a familiar position: battling back from a deficit. Trevor Moore opened the scoring for Los Angeles midway through the first period, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Edmonton. The Kings quickly doubled their lead early in the second period when Warren Foegele jammed home a rebound, making it 2-0.
However, the Oilers responded swiftly. Corey Perry trimmed the deficit with a power-play goal, showing his trademark scoring touch after a nice feed from Leon Draisaitl. The Kings struck back promptly, with Kevin Fiala restoring the two-goal cushion, taking advantage of another defensive miscue by Edmonton.
As the game progressed, the Oilers began to find their rhythm, but it wasn’t until the third period that they mounted a serious comeback. Evan Bouchard started the charge, scoring a flukey goal that redirected off a Kings defender's skate, cutting the lead to 3-2. With the clock winding down, Bouchard pulled the Oilers even, blasting a shot past Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper with the extra attacker on the ice.
“That’s our identity in here. We’ve built that years ago — it’s a mentality that we have, that we’re never going to quit, no matter what,” Draisaitl said after the game. His words echoed the spirit of the Oilers, who have shown a remarkable ability to fight back throughout this series.
The overtime period was tense, with both teams showcasing their defensive abilities. However, the turning point came when Vladislav Gavrikov was called for tripping Connor McDavid, granting the Oilers a crucial power play. Draisaitl seized the opportunity, scoring his first career playoff overtime goal at 18:18, sealing the victory for Edmonton.
“I would put it number one. It’s probably the most important goal to date that I’ve scored in my career,” Draisaitl remarked, reflecting on the significance of the moment.
Game 4 was a testament to the Oilers’ character, as they demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure. Draisaitl’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he not only scored the game-winner but also contributed three assists, showcasing his playmaking skills. Bouchard’s two-goal game further solidified his status as a rising star in the league, making him the fourth player in NHL history to score multiple goals in back-to-back playoff games.
On the Kings’ side, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite their strong start, they couldn’t maintain their lead. “I thought we skated a lot better tonight than we did in Game 3 and had plenty of opportunities to put it away. And did not,” said Kings head coach Jim Hiller. His frustration was evident as his team failed to capitalize on their early advantage.
Calvin Pickard was instrumental for the Oilers, making 38 saves, while Kuemper faced a barrage of 48 shots, stopping 44 of them. The Kings had dominated the shot count earlier in the game, leading 28-15 after two periods, but the Oilers turned the tide in the third.
This victory marks the Oilers’ second consecutive win in the series, following their 7-4 comeback in Game 3, where they scored two goals in a mere 10 seconds to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With the series now tied at two games apiece, the stage is set for a pivotal Game 5.
Looking ahead, the two teams will clash again on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 p.m. MDT. Both teams will be eager to seize the momentum as they vie for the upper hand in this fiercely contested playoff series.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Kings aim to break their playoff drought, having not won a series since 2014 when they lifted the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Oilers are determined to continue their resurgence, showing that they are a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
As the series heads back to Los Angeles, fans can expect another thrilling matchup filled with intensity and high-stakes drama. Who will emerge victorious in this battle of wills? Only time will tell.
