Kings hold off Oilers to earn 6-5 win in Game 1
In a thrilling opening game of their fourth consecutive first-round playoff series, the Los Angeles Kings secured a heart-stopping 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Despite holding a commanding four-goal lead, the Kings found themselves tied in the final minutes before Phillip Danault’s late heroics sealed the win.
Danault, who scored his second goal of the night with just 42 seconds remaining, skated up the middle and unleashed a fluttering shot past Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, with Warren Foegele providing a crucial screen. Andrei Kuzmenko, making his Stanley Cup playoff debut, contributed a goal and two assists, while Adrian Kempe added a goal and two assists to lead the Kings’ offensive charge.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams, as the Kings initially surged to a 4-0 lead before the Oilers mounted an impressive comeback. Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry all found the back of the net to bring Edmonton level, before Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid scored late goals to force overtime.
McDavid, who finished the game with a goal and three assists, was instrumental in the Oilers’ late rally. Despite his efforts, the Kings managed to hold on for the win, becoming just the fourth team in Stanley Cup playoffs history to win in regulation after blowing a four-goal lead.
With the victory, the Kings now hold home-ice advantage in their playoff series against the Oilers for the first time. Game 2 is set to take place in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, where both teams will look to build on an electrifying opening matchup.
For Los Angeles, the win was a statement of intent as they seek to avenge their previous playoff defeats against Edmonton. With standout performances from players like Danault, Kuzmenko, and goaltender Darcy Kuemper, the Kings will be looking to carry their momentum into the rest of the series.
Overall, the game was a showcase of the excitement and unpredictability that the Stanley Cup playoffs bring. As the series continues, fans can expect more thrilling moments and intense battles between two competitive teams vying for playoff success.
