Introduction to the Series
The Los Angeles Kings have taken a 2-0 lead in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, with Adrian Kempe leading the charge. Kempe had two third-period goals and two assists, while captain Anze Kopitar added a goal and three assists in the 6-2 win.
The Game’s Turning Points
Quinton Byfield and Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the second straight game, and Brandt Clarke had his first playoff goal to begin an overwhelming performance by the second-seeded Los Angeles. The Kings blew a four-goal lead before winning Game 1 and let a three-goal lead slip to 3-2 early in the third period of Game 2 before seizing control with three goals in less than five minutes while chasing goalie Stuart Skinner.
Post-Game Analysis
“We’ve played really well," Kings coach Jim Hiller said. "Tonight, we had some shots alone with the goaltender, and we beat him. We’re just playing good, solid hockey offensively and defensively. Both parts are there.” The Kings have largely dominated two games in the building where they had the NHL’s best home record, scoring 12 goals — including five by their revitalized power play, which was the worst among playoff teams in the regular season.
Home Ice Advantage
These Pacific Division rivals are meeting in the first round for the fourth straight year, but the Kings had home-ice advantage for the first time. They’ve taken advantage of it so far, with Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson saying, “We got home ice, battled hard for it, and we wanted to take advantage. We’re happy so far. We’ve taken the two. You come to the rink tomorrow and focus on the next game. But so far, it’s been a good start.”
Looking Ahead to Game 3
Game 3 is Friday night in Edmonton. The Oilers will look to bounce back from their 2-0 deficit, but they’ll need to address their defensive struggles. Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Oilers, but the defending Western Conference champions’ endemic defensive struggles couldn’t be covered up by the brilliance of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who was held scoreless.
Oilers’ Response
“They’re very hungry with a lot of belief, and they’re playing well at home,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We can play better. Special teams is the biggest part of it, (but) everywhere we can step up our game. … We’ve seen this team face difficult situations, a lot more difficult than it is right now. There’s no quit in this group. It’s certainly not an ideal situation, but we certainly won’t panic.”
Key Players and Moments
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings. Los Angeles went up 3-0 midway through the second when Kuzmenko added to his extraordinary start with the Kings by smacking home a rebound. Edmonton finally got on the board when Draisaitl redirected a nifty pass from John Klingberg. Arvidsson scored against his former team with 15:55 to play to tighten it up, but Kempe answered moments later on a pass from Kopitar, who added LA’s third power-play goal shortly afterward. Calvin Pickard replaced Skinner, but Kempe scored again.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Kings have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their series against the Edmonton Oilers. With their strong performance at home, they’ll look to carry this momentum into Game 3 in Edmonton. The Oilers will need to address their defensive struggles and find a way to contain the Kings’ offense if they hope to get back in the series.
FAQs
Q: What is the current series score between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers?
A: The Los Angeles Kings lead the series 2-0.
Q: Who led the Kings’ offense in Game 2?
A: Adrian Kempe led the Kings’ offense with two third-period goals and two assists.
Q: What is the next game in the series?
A: Game 3 is Friday night in Edmonton.
Q: What has been the key to the Kings’ success so far in the series?
A: The Kings’ revitalized power play and strong defensive performance have been key to their success.
Q: Can the Oilers come back from a 2-0 deficit?
A: Yes, while it will be challenging, the Oilers have shown resilience in the past and can still come back from a 2-0 deficit with strong performances in the remaining games.
