You can doubt the Edmonton Oilers if you want. Just don’t expect them to quit.
Facing the prospect of a 3-1 series hole, the Oilers roared back Sunday night with a gutsy 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, leveling their first-round series at two games apiece.
Down 3-1 in the third period, Edmonton turned up the pressure. Evan Bouchard led the charge, cutting the lead to one, then ripping home the tying goal with 29 seconds left after stripping Quinton Byfield. Leon Draisaitl sealed the comeback with the overtime winner, off a setup from Connor McDavid, who collected three assists on the night.
“We’re digging our way out,” McDavid said. “We found a way tonight. I’m proud of everyone in here.”
Through two periods, the Oilers had just 10 shots from their forwards. But when it mattered most, Edmonton took over, outshooting the Kings 18-7 in overtime and 33-13 from the start of the third.
Experience is starting to show. This isn’t the same flashy Oilers team that leaned on pure skill. They’re older, grittier — and on Sunday, they looked like a team that knows how to survive.
“They’re a great team,” McDavid said of the Kings. “But we’re fighting.”
Bouchard was massive all night, putting eight shots on goal and forcing the Kings to scramble. As L.A.‘s thin bench wore down — running just four defencemen and nine forwards for long stretches — Edmonton’s depth tilted the game.
Now it’s a best-of-three, and the Oilers head to Los Angeles for a crucial Game 5 with momentum finally on their side.
They’ve been here before. And they know exactly what it takes.
