When the Edmonton Oilers were leaving Los Angeles following Game 2, they were a team that looked like a shadow of the last year’s runner-ups. The Oilers were coming off a crushing 6–2 defeat to a Kings team that looked perfect. From tape-to-tape passes and a lethal power play to a suffocating defence, the Kings were men on a mission and impossible to stop. With the way Edmonton’s fortunes were going, there were no guarantees that the Oilers would be back in Los Angeles for a Game 5. And then Jim Hiller decided to challenge a play and the rest is now history.
Coming into last night’s match-up against the Kings, the Oilers have not only tied the series, but also poached the momentum from the Kings. Their dominant display in the third period and overtime of Game 4, where Edmonton dominated shot count 33–13, carried over into this one as Edmonton outshot Los Angeles 46–22 and beat them in a decisive 3–1 fashion to take the 3–2 lead in the series. How did Edmonton do it and what were our takeaways? Let’s dive in below.
Complete game was present
There is absolutely no doubt that this was Edmonton’s best game of the series. On the offensive front, Edmonton absolutely dominated the shot count 46–22. Were it not for Darcy Kuemper, that 3–1 final score could have been a lot worse for the Kings. From their passes, to the play on the boards and the quality of the shots, Edmonton’s four lines just seemed to click.
Edmonton’s defensive efforts, while still not perfect, were miles ahead of their prior displays. Los Angeles’ typically precise passes seemed to falter as Edmonton players found ways to get in the lane and prevent the seamless connections from happening. In fact, the Kings’ aggressive forecheck seemed to stall right out the gate, requiring a power play eight minutes into the game in order to get their first shot on goal.
Finally, Calvin Pickard just looked comfortable. Despite a lack of action in the first two periods, Pickard was on his game which included making timely pad stop with the Los Angeles net empty late in the third period.
Playing their style
Throughout this season, Edmonton playing style has not been the one of an aggressor. In fact, as the stats would suggest, they were the lowest hitting team in the league with 1241 hits. Compared to the Los Angeles Kings, that is a whole 501 less hits.
Contrary to that, Edmonton has outhit Los Angeles in every game of the series so far. The only exception? Game 5, their most dominant game of the series.
Physical play is certainly an important aspect of the game and there is no denying that finishing the check, knocking the opponent off the puck and dominating the boards can produce a game changing play. But playing with a physical edge has not been Edmonton’s calling card this season. The Oilers played a measured game: one they were comfortable with and one where they were aggressive when it mattered, avoiding an undisciplined penalty by staying composed.
Not out of the woods yet
Edmonton certainly played their best game yet and has a lot to be positive about. Seeing their secondary scoring produce from the likes of Mattias Janmark and Evander Kane was remarkable and crucial at a time where some of the team has at times been accused of being passengers on the team. Guys like John Klinberg are also starting to look more comfortable and making great plays to keep the puck and the offensive zone pressure going.
However this was only one game and Edmonton has a lot to prove. If Edmonton wants to have any chance to go far in the playoffs, let alone win against a desperate Kings team in the next game, their players besides Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will absolutely need to continue this strong display going.
What is next for the Oilers?
The Oilers will now head back to Rogers Place for Game 6 on Thursday where they will get the chance to close out the Kings team for the fourth year in a row.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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