Oilers pounce on Kings early in Game 3 to take 2-1 series lead
Leon Draisaitl has two goals and an assist, Zach Hyman also scores twice and Edmonton rides three first-period goals and more dominance from its power play to a 6-1 victory. Game 4 is Sunday night.
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, bottom right, scores past Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, and Vladislav Gavrikov during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Oilers won, 6-1, and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, center, scores as Kings goalie Cam Talbot, right, is unable to make the save during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings lost, 6-1, and trail the best-of-seven series 2-1. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, deflects a shot by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman before Hyman scored on the rebound during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, left, and goaltender Cam Talbot, right, defend as the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman scores a goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, left, celebrates his goal as center Connor McDavid follows during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard, left, congratulates Zach Hyman after his goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) congratulate Zach Hyman, center, after his goal during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere, right, takes a shot on goal as the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse defends during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, right, tries to slow down the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais, right, passes the puck while under pressure from Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson aduring Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry, left, battles the Kings’ Mikey Anderson for a loose puck as goaltender Cam Talbot, right, defends his net during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov, right, defends against the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Kings goaltender Cam Talbot blocks a shot by the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan McLeod, right, during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, right, and Brett Kulak, left, congratulate Leon Draisaitl after his goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, left, reaches for the puck along with Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot on goal as Cam Talbot of the Los Angeles Kings blocks the shot during the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard takes a shot on goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Phillip Danault, right, takes a shot on goal as Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner block the puck during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, right, shoots the puck past Kings goalie Cam Talbot, center, and Blake Lizotte, left, for a goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid pokes at the puck and scores a goal as Kings goaltender Cam Talbot attempts to make a save during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, celebrates his goal with left wing Zach Hyman, second from right, as Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, kneels in goal while defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, left, and center Blake Lizotte watch during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers fan Dale Steil cheers after his team scored during the first period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, left, watches the puck sail by him before Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, makes the save as the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman is unable to redirect it during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kings captain Anze Kopitar, left, battles for the puck against the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, center, and Leon Draisaitl, right, during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers controls the puck during the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Kings at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, bottom left, and goaltender Cam Talbot defend against the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman (18) as he attempts to tip a shot on goal during the first period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner blocks a shot on goal by the Kings’ Adrian Kempe during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, blocks a shot on goal by the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, far right, during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane, right, scores on Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, as center Anze Kopitar watches during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane, right, celebrates his goal as Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, and center Anze Kopitar look on during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers fans cheer after left wing Evander Kane’s goal during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Kings’ Trevor Moore, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm pursue for the puck during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais, left, and Kings right wing Alex Laferriere collide during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Referee Chris Rooney talks with the Kings’ Drew Doughty, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm, left, and goaltender Stuart Skinner push the Kings’ Trevor Lewis in the crease during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere, left, takes a shot that goes wide as the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) defends during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, right, is unable to stop shot on goal by the Kings’ Drew Doughty during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, left, scores on Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, right, celebrates his goal with center Anze Kopitar, center, as Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, second from right, looks on during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere, left, and Quinton Byfield, right, congratulate Drew Doughty after his goal during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Kings center Phillip Danault, left, falls as Edmonton Oilers center Sam Carrick takes the puck during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Brett Kulak, left, and goaltender Stuart Skinner, right, push Kings captain Anze Kopitar in the crease during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, right, controls the puck past the defense of the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, right, and teammate Mattias Ekholm, left, block a shot on goal by the Kings’ Trevor Lewis (61) during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates to a puck during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala, left, and Quinton Byfield, top, battle for the puck with the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala, left, holds the stick of the Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl looks on during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, left, and Cody Ceci, center, join Evander Kane, right, as they skate by the bench after Kane’s goal during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings and the Edmonton Oilers break into an all-out brawl during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane (91) is restrained during a scuffle in the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, right, fights with the Kings’ Andreas Englund during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Kings defenseman Andreas Englund, center, and Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane, right, fight during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings defenseman Andreas Englund, left, and Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane fight during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Kings’ Andreas Englund, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane fight during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, right, fights with the Kings’ Andreas Englund during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane is led off the ice after fighting with the Kings’ Andreas Englund during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, left, shoots on Kings goaltender Cam Talbot during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry, left, battles the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov (84), Alex Laferriere (78) and Kevin Fiala (22) during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Oilers Zach Hyman (18) scores as the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov (84) defends during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, left, scores on Kings goaltender Cam Talbot during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, is scored on by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, right, as defenseman Mikey Anderson defends during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, right, reacts after scoring a goal during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, center, celebrates his goal with center Connor McDavid, left, and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings goaltender Cam Talbot looks on after a goal by the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The puck flies by Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) as Edmonton Oilers center Sam Carrick (39) jumps out of the way while defenseman Jordan Spence (21), right wing Corey Perry (90) and center Blake Lizotte (46) watch during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. There was no goal on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, left, and Kings defenseman Jordan Spence battle for the puck during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, bottom right, scores past Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, and Vladislav Gavrikov during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Oilers won, 6-1, and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, right, celebrates his goal as center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins skates behind during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, left, battles the Kings’ Jordan Spence for a loose puck during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Warren Foegele, center, interferes with Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, as the Kings’ Jordan Spence defends during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Dylan Holloway, left, and Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois fall as the go after the puck during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, left, battles the Kings’ Jordan Spence for a loose puck during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry, right, is unable to get the puck past Kings goaltender Cam Talbot during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry looks on during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, left, defends against the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman during the third period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers celebrate after defeating the Kings, 6-1, in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Matt Roy, looks on as the Edmonton Oilers celebrate their 6-1 victory in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers fan Dale Steil poses prior to Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers fan Dale Steil’s boots are seen prior to Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Edmonton Oilers fan Dale Steil, right, tries to give a young Kings fan a sticker prior to Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. The little girl gave it back. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — The momentum from a road victory and the confidence of being the NHL’s top team at home after the All-Star break meant little for the Kings on Friday night as they meandered through a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena, falling behind 2-1 in their first-round playoff series.
The Kings ruled the roost down the stretch, going 14-3-1 at home since Feb. 10, but that provided no solace as they found themselves trailing the same club that eliminated them from the postseason in 2022 and 2023. The Kings held leads – 3-2 and 2-1, respectively – in those series, but are still in search of their first edge of 2024 after being shelled in Game 1 before winning Game 2 in overtime.
Game 4 in the best-of-7 series is Sunday night.
“I know for sure, it’s two for them and one for us, and we need to win four to win the series,” Kings interim coach Jim Hiller said. “We’ll have a similar approach. We’ll get back and we’ll have to play better than we did tonight, that’s the bottom line, just like it was in Game 2.”
Drew Doughty scored the Kings’ only goal. Cam Talbot has started all three games, and he made 34 saves on Friday to give him a paltry .861 save percentage and woeful 5.30 goals-against average in the series.
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been the most prolific performers in the NHL across the past three postseasons, and they each added three points to their ostentatious totals Friday, with Draisaitl scoring twice. Zach Hyman tallied twice to extend his goal streak to three games, Evander Kane picked up a goal and an assist and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins dished out three assists. Stuart Skinner made 27 saves.
Edmonton has scored on seven of its 14 power plays in the series while the Kings have gone 0 for 10, widening what was an already-enormous gap in special teams performance from last year’s series.
“We’re just going out there and executing. We don’t worry about what the other team’s doing,” Hyman said of the power play. “We’ve had a lot of success and we’ve been playing together for a long time.”
“The penalty kill has been the story in this series, for me. It’s been absolutely phenomenal in just keeping everything at bay and keeping momentum on our side,” he added.
In the final frame, there were two big scrums, both of which ended up creating two-man advantages for Edmonton.
On the second, Draisaitl scored his second goal of the evening and third of the series off a kneeling one-timer from low in the right faceoff circle with 7:22 to play.
Before that, Andreas Englund attempted to stir the pot by nailing Kane at center ice and, after the ensuing fracas, a complex sorting of penalties left the Kings with four minors and the Oilers with two, creating a five-on-three situation for two minutes.
During that power play, Hyman scored his second goal of the game and his NHL-leading sixth of the playoffs to cushion the Oilers’ lead after he redirected McDavid’s purposeful pass from the left circle to the right post, 6:37 into the stanza.
The second period saw an exchange of goals, with both sequences created by players who ultimately didn’t receive so much as an assist for their efforts.
The Oilers made it 4-1 when Draisaitl pressed Matt Roy as he played a lob into the Kings’ zone. Draisaitl recovered a missed shot behind the net, sending the puck to Nugent-Hopkins, who fed Cody Ceci for a shot that was deflected in by Kane. It was Kane’s first goal of the series after tallying 10 times in 13 playoff games against the Kings in the past two seasons.
“Evander’s game is suited for [the playoffs]. He plays physical, he goes to the hard areas, he scores. I think you can’t ask for more,” said Hyman, while Hiller said that goal “sunk” the Kings.
Before the series, Doughty said he didn’t want to overplay the motif of redemption against an Oilers team that had bounced the Kings from consecutive campaigns. But his goal 5:32 into the second period atoned, at least in part, for a brutal opening 20 minutes for the Kings’ top defenseman.
It was rookie Alex Laferriere, at the end of a very long shift, blowing up big Vincent Desharnais behind the net and keeping the puck in the Oilers’ zone. That allowed the Kings to make a line change on the fly, with Mikey Anderson locating Quinton Byfield zooming off the bench. Byfield spotted an activated Doughty for a tap-in goal at the back post. After not scoring a playoff goal since 2016, Doughty has two in the past two games.
Edmonton’s opening salvo saw them mount a three-goal lead, scoring at even strength at 6:42 and 15:36 before adding a power-play goal with 1:26 remaining.
While there were few Kings on their toes early, Doughty had a particularly rough period. He was on for both of the first two goals – on the first he committed a careless turnover that led directly to the score and on the second he had a shot whir past him – and in the penalty box for slashing during the third.
With Doughty in the sin bin, McDavid received the puck at the goal line, first driving toward the far post and, after his advance was rebuffed, stuffing a shot inside the near one for his first goal of the series.
Edmonton went ahead 2-0 when Kane appeared poised to attempt a wraparound but instead banked the puck off the side of the net to Draisaitl for a sharp-angled shot that he fired through Doughty for his second goal of the postseason.
On the game’s first goal, after the Kings controlled the puck off a defensive-zone faceoff, Doughty’s feeble backhanded pass into the middle of the ice was devoured by Mattias Ekholm. He eyed Hyman so open at the net front that he was able to shoot the puck on his forehand, swipe at his rebound and finally pop it past Talbot.
Hyman’s six goals in the first three games of the playoffs tied an Oilers franchise record set by Jari Kurri, who also skated for the Kings and Ducks.
“(Hyman) gets us going on a big goal,” McDavid said. “Getting the first one on the road in their building, that’s big.”
The Kings have the opportunity to shorten the series to three games with a victory on Sunday night on their home ice, where they have now lost five of seven games to the Oilers in the playoffs since 2022.
“From the beginning, it felt like we were not there. They were more hungry and they had more chances,” Kings winger Kevin Fiala said. “We just have to be ready for the next game.”
NOTE
Kings captain Anze Kopitar played in his 95th career playoff game, passing Luc Robitaille for the most in franchise history.
