The Edmonton Oilers, led by standout performances from Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard, overcame an early goal from the Los Angeles Kings’ Blake Lizotte, securing a 4-2 lead by the end of the second period and eventually winning the game, advancing to the second round of the playoffs after wrapping up the series in five games.
Blake Lizotte netted an early goal in the second period. Suddenly, it seemed the Los Angeles Kings might just spice things up in the series. But, oh, the Edmonton Oilers had a different script in mind.
The Oilers’ offense, legendary in its own right, kicked into high gear. Leon Draisaitl banged in back-to-back goals. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard were busy too, each adding a couple of assists to the mix. By the end of that onslaught, Edmonton was up 4-2. They were cruising towards the final period, eyeing the next round.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? He wasn’t left out. Ended the game with two assists under his belt. One was on Evander Kane’s opener; the other helped Zach Hyman add the final touch to that second-period scoring spree.
The third period? Much quieter, at least for the first 18 minutes. No goals. Then, the Kings made a move, pulling their goalie and scoring to narrow the gap to a single goal. Penalties? Hardly any, save for a last-ditch hook to stop Draisaitl from snagging a hat trick with the net empty.
Edmonton’s goalie, Stuart Skinner, had a relatively easy night. Just 18 shots to stop, but it was enough to clinch the win. The Oilers’ special teams did their bit too. Killed off both penalties they faced and converted one of their five power plays. Not their best, but it did the job.
After wrapping this series up in five games, the Oilers get a breather. They’re waiting on the winner between the Canucks and the Predators, with Vancouver leading 3-2. Edmonton’s eyes are set on a deep playoff run, aiming for that elusive Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the McDavid-Draisaitl era. Their last shot at glory was back in 2006.
The Kings? It’s a bitter pill. Three straight seasons bowing out in the first round. Five playoffs without advancing. They’ve been in a rut since their 2014 Stanley Cup victory. Looks like a long off-season ahead, full of tough decisions and roster changes. They’re desperate to break this cycle, to avoid becoming the next Toronto Maple Leafs.
