The Edmonton Oilers took to the ice for a Game 5 bout versus the Los Angeles Kings. With a chance to win and move on to the second round, Edmonton seized the opportunity and got the job done.
First period
This period was what I would consider a solid period of play by the Edmonton Oilers, marred by the fact that the Kings actually outshot the Oilers 10–6 and by one of the unluckiest goals the Oilers have ever had scored against them. Despite the shot differential, the Oilers looked strong defensively, not allowing any serious chances against and dealing with 2-on-1’s effectively, including an inspiring backcheck by old man Corey Perry after an ill-advised pinch from Darnell Nurse.
On the other hand, the Oilers could have been much more dominant on the offence. We all know what they are capable of but Edmonton didn’t have any more high-danger chances than the Kings. There were essentially no special teams play except for a couple pf seconds at the end of the period and consequentially the lines were rolled pretty much straight through. The bottom-six of the Oilers were noticeable and produced some of the more exciting offensive chances in the first period. Here are the goals from the first:
First goal: Evander Kane
An odd goal by all standards but an incredibly important one as the team to score the first goal has now won every single game in this series. This was a very encouraging play from Evander Kane who sent a pass to Brett Kulak who had joined the rush and received the slick return pass before quickly throwing a backhand on net. What was odd was that David Rittich was so far from square to the shot that he caught a piece of it on his arm and the shot barely changed direction before slipping into the far side of the net. The Oilers lead 1–0!
Second goal: Alex Laferriere
The Kings’ first goal was an odd one. Gavrikov cleverly slap-passed the puck to a stanchion in the employ of the Los Angeles Kings that one-touched a pass to Alex Laferriere who put it past the outstretched sticks of Desharnais and Skinner. Jonathan Huberdeau was reportedly jealous of the stanchion’s soft hands.
Seriously though, it seems like a stanchion ricochet like this happens more often in the playoffs than in the regular season. The same thing happened to Varlamov two days ago as well as to Braden Holtby years ago, though he was able to make a tremendous save.
Kelly Hrudey spoke in the intermission about how goalies shouldn’t play the puck if it’s rimmed on the glass but to be fair to Skinner, the puck was only slightly above the boards and in real time it would have been difficult to tell that it was going to hit the glass. I suppose it’s better to err on the side of caution. Even if Skinner does stay in his net that’s going to lead to a dangerous play.
Second period
The period that Edmonton needed. After an early goal by the Kings that put them on top, the Oilers were blessed with three power plays which flipped the momentum in favour of Edmonton. The entire period was dominated by special teams and Edmonton made the most of it. Here are the goals:
Third goal: Blake Lizotte
The Kings take the lead 2–1. This goal started with a poor change from the Oilers and a stretch pass from Andreas Englund to Viktor Arvidsson. Nurse attempted another unfortunate pinch on Arvidsson but was far too late and Arvidsson fed a beautiful backhand saucer pass to Blake Lizotte who fired one blocker side on Stuart Skinner. Nothing more than a bad defensive breakdown from the Oilers that the Kings quickly took advantage of.
Fourth goal: Leon Draisaitl
A power play goal for the Oilers that first appeared to be one of the nicest saves I’ve ever seen from David Rittich. After a head-turning passing play between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the latter fired a laser from what should be called Draisaitl’s office by now, only a few feet above the goal line, but Rittich flashed the leather from his back. Unfortunately for Rittich his glove completely crossed the goal line and upon further inspection, it was called a goal. It’s a 2–2 tie!
Fifth goal: Leon Draisaitl
The magic of McDavid makes it 3–2 for the Oilers. The third Oilers goal of the game was actually scored by Draisaitl and assisted by McDavid and Evan Bouchard but was orchestrated by McDavid. Through a series of feints and dazzling stick-handling while circling behind the net he simultaneously hypnotizes and induces a sense of panic in the Kings defencemen, forcing them to collapse on their own net towards him. Then he simply passes the puck to the forgotten Draisaitl who plots an easy one. Note that this was not technically a power play goal as Dubois had just quit the penalty box.
Sixth goal: Zach Hyman
Again, not technically a power play goal but only just after Drew Doughty exits the box, the Oilers make it 4–2. When the Oilers power play is on, they are indefensible, except for maybe by my beer league team in mid-season form. They snap that puck around faster than a bouncy ball inside a fish bowl. Bouchard ends up firing a wrist shot from the point which hits Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whose knee has the good sense to direct the puck into the net. Zach Hyman may or may not have tapped the puck over the line but it was headed in no matter what.
Third period
The third period marked a regression to the first period play for the Oilers, except with a looser defence. Though not dominated by the Kings, they took the lion’s share of dangerous chances. Edmonton nay-sayers could use this game as ammunition to a “power play team” argument and even though I don’t believe that’s the case, Edmonton can’t have many games like this against better teams if they want to win the Cup. The only goal of the period was scored by the Kings.
Seventh goal: Adrian Kempe
The third goal for the Kings made things very interesting. After a quiet period from the Oilers and after a few good chances from the Kings they finally break through. Matt Roy puts the puck on Adrian Kempe‘s stick for a high slot tip and a beauty.
A word on officiating
I can imagine that Los Angeles Kings fans are already spouting their fury all throughout the internet about what they consider poor and one-sided officiating. Even though the Kings received six penalties and the Oilers only two, and the Oilers essentially scored three power play goals, I thought the officiating was fair.
Especially in the case of Kevin Fiala‘s embellishment penalty, which I’m sure will be the source of the most contention. Warren Foegele‘s stick only makes contact with Fiala’s thigh, presumably the strongest part of his leg, and not with any real force since it was only held with one hand. I honestly believe I could break a 1×4 piece of lumber across Kevin Fiala’s thigh without knocking him over, even if he wasn’t expecting it. You can’t tell me that a hockey stick managed to knock him over in that situation.
Up to the point of the Kings’ penalty kills and ignoring the first Edmonton goal, David Rittich was having a good game, especially considering the save he nearly made on Draisaitl. For that reason, you have to feel bad for Rittich who was brutally victimized by the Oilers’ power play. Without the six Kings penalties, this game could easily have gone to the Kings.
The Oilers win Round 1
I predicted that the Oilers would take the series in six games but they did me one better and won in five. They have also now improved on their performance from last year, in which it did take them six games to beat the Kings, which was already an improvement on the year before that, where it took them seven games. If the Oilers end up facing the Kings next year, then Oilers in four! You heard it here first!
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
