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Evan Bouchard and Connor Brown each scored twice as the Edmonton Oilers showcased their resilience in a thrilling 7-4 playoff victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.
“In Game 1, we struggled to find our chemistry given the various changes in our lineup due to injuries,” Brown reflected on the match. “We had to make the best of our situation, but today we executed our game plan effectively. We controlled the pace and scored critical goals at decisive moments. This win gives us momentum, and I believe we are on an upward trajectory.”
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane, and Connor McDavid also contributed goals for the Oilers, who, after two initial playoff setbacks, found themselves trailing 4-3 with less than seven minutes left on the clock.
“I expressed to the players how impressed I was with their determination,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch stated post-game. “It felt reminiscent of last year; being down late in the game and the composure displayed by the bench was commendable. They maintained their focus and fight, even when panic could have set in.”
Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, Drew Doughty, and Trevor Moore found the net for the Kings, who still hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
In his first start of the postseason, goaltender Calvin Pickard stepped up for Edmonton, making 25 saves. Meanwhile, Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper recorded 29 saves in the loss.
Edmonton opened the scoring swiftly, with Zach Hyman maneuvering behind the net to assist Nugent-Hopkins just under three minutes into the match. Nugent-Hopkins seized his opportunity, netting his first goal of the series. The Oilers added another shortly after; Bouchard scored on a power play, marking his first goal and Edmonton’s initial success on the man advantage after a challenging start to the series.
The Kings were quick to respond, with Kempe cutting the lead to 2-1 in the first period, delivering a well-placed shot to Pickard’s glove side. The momentum shifted further as Fiala equalized on a power play early in the second period, bringing his series total to two goals, while Kempe assisted to reach nine points in the series.
Los Angeles took a 4-2 lead with another power-play goal from Doughty, showcasing their effective offensive plays. However, Edmonton fought back, tying the game as Kane set up Brown for a goal just before the end of the second period. Yet, the Kings retook the lead almost immediately after, as Moore scored on a soft shot that slipped past Pickard.
In a determined comeback, the Oilers leveled the score with a chaotic play in front of the net; Kane poked the puck in after a review confirmed he did not kick the puck. Shortly after, Edmonton capitalized on a power-play opportunity, with Leon Draisaitl assisting Bouchard for a tip-in, granting the Oilers a crucial 5-4 lead.
“Sticking with our strategy was vital,” Draisaitl noted. “Against a team like the Kings, patience is key, and we executed well today.”
Edmonton sealed the victory with two empty-net goals from McDavid and Brown, emphasizing the significance of the win. “This is a crucial victory for our team,” Kane said. “It sets the stage for a strong Game 4 at home.”
NOTES
For the fourth consecutive year, these two teams have met in the first round of the playoffs, with the Oilers winning their previous encounters. Historically, Edmonton has only managed to recover from a 2-0 series deficit once, achieving that against the San Jose Sharks in 2006.
UP NEXT
Game 4 will be held on Sunday in Edmonton.
Source
globalnews.ca