The Oilers are heading home with their backs against the wall.
After a promising start to Game 2, Edmonton fell apart in the third period, surrendering three goals in under five minutes in a 6-2 loss to the Kings on Wednesday night. Los Angeles now leads the first-round playoff series 2-0.
Adrian Kempe torched the Oilers for two goals and two assists in a dominant final frame. Anze Kopitar added a goal and three assists as the Kings punished Edmonton’s sloppy defensive play and took full advantage of a suddenly lethal power play.
The Oilers had cut the Kings’ lead to 3-2 early in the third after goals from Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson, but the comeback stopped there. Kempe’s first goal came just over a minute after Arvidsson’s tally, and Edmonton unraveled from there. Kopitar and Kempe added power-play markers, chasing Stuart Skinner after a rough night in net.
“We just made too many mistakes,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Against a team like that, you can’t afford breakdowns. We need a response at home.”
Connor McDavid was held off the scoresheet for the second straight game — a rare sight in the playoffs — as Edmonton’s offense sputtered outside of Draisaitl’s efforts.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 24 of 26 shots for L.A., who have now scored 12 goals over two games after struggling with the man advantage all season.
Game 3 shifts to Rogers Place on Friday, where the Oilers will need to regroup fast. Another loss, and this series could be out of reach before it ever really began.
