In a chaotic playoff opener that had all the makings of a classic, the Edmonton Oilers clawed back from a four-goal deficit only to fall 6-5 to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Despite a remarkable third-period rally led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers were stunned by Phillip Danault’s game-winner with just 41.1 seconds left on the clock at Crypto.com Arena. The loss kicks off Edmonton’s Stanley Cup campaign with a gut punch—and a reminder that this Kings team isn’t the same one the Oilers dispatched in the first round three years running.
Edmonton entered the third period down 5-1, looking overmatched and disjointed. But Mattias Janmark’s early goal set off a furious comeback. Corey Perry and Zach Hyman followed, both crashing the net and capitalizing on chaos. Then, with the goalie pulled, McDavid found the equalizer with 1:28 left, stunning the home crowd.
But the Kings weren’t done. Danault, who already had one goal on the night, floated a knuckler past Stuart Skinner to seal the win and give Los Angeles a 1-0 series lead.
Andrei Kuzmenko, acquired at the deadline, made an immediate impact in his playoff debut with a goal and two assists. Adrian Kempe notched a goal and three points, and Quinton Byfield added a highlight-reel bank shot.
The Oilers’ big guns showed up, but the supporting cast didn’t until late. Skinner struggled, and defensive miscues—particularly from Evan Bouchard—cost Edmonton early.
The loss stings, but the takeaway is clear: this Kings team isn’t backing down. And if the Oilers are going to push through again, they’ll need more than a late push next time.
Game 2 goes Wednesday night in L.A., with Edmonton looking to even the series.
