The Edmonton Oilers delivered their best performance of the season Tuesday night in L.A., throttling the Kings 3-1 and grabbing a 3-2 series lead with one foot on the gas and the other on Los Angeles’ throat.
From puck drop, the Oilers dictated every inch of the ice. They outshot the Kings 19-4 in the opening frame and never let up, controlling the tempo, the puck, and the scoreboard. Only a heroic showing from Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper kept the game close.
“We were stronger. They beat us in every area,” admitted Kings coach Jim Hiller. “They were just better.”
The turnaround started late in Game 4, when Edmonton erased a 3-1 deficit and stole momentum. Since then, they’ve outshot L.A. 70-35 and outscored them 6-1.
Mattias Janmark scored the winner Tuesday — his second of the series — and the Oilers got contributions across all four lines. Evander Kane was a physical menace, Calvin Pickard was rock-solid in goal, and Evan Bouchard quarterbacked the back end with poise and precision.
“We stayed in the fight,” said Kane. “We didn’t get frustrated. We just kept pushing.”
Even with no goals from the power play and just one point combined from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers dominated. That says everything.
This wasn’t a good game. It was a warning shot.
The Oilers played like a team that knows what playoff hockey requires — and knows how to finish a series. They’ll get their shot in Game 6 at Rogers Place.
“We’ve got them where we want them,” said Janmark. “And away we went from there.”
One more win, and the Oilers are off to Round 2 — and maybe a lot further.
