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The Los Angeles Kings evened their first round series against the Edmonton Oilers yesterday, picking up a 4-0 win in Game 4.
After a wild pace to start the game, the Kings opened the scoring eight minutes in, when Phillip Danault made a nice pass to Trevor Moore in front, who beat an outstretched Mike Smith. Then after Los Angeles continued to press, Troy Stecher’s point shot deflected in off Duncan Keith’s stick, putting the Kings up 2-0. Los Angeles took the lead into intermission, after outshooting Edmonton 20-10 in the opening frame.
Then in the second period, the Kings kept up the pace, outshooting the Oilers by a 14-8 margin. Some good chances were exchanged in the frame but neither team was able to capitalize, as with the Kings retaining their two-goal lead through 40 minutes.
It was a more even final frame, but Los Angeles didn’t let up and later in the period, Carl Grundstrom made a great play to withstand a hit from Darnell Nurse and continue to the net, then drove the puck past Mike Smith, making it a 3-0 game. Things got pretty chippy in the final few minutes after that and there were lots of penalties handed out, but Grundstrom scored an empty net goal with just a minute and a half remaining in the game, securing a 4-0 win for the Kings.
It was undoubtedly the Kings’ best game of the series, with a consistent effort and a much better job limiting quality chances, especially off the rush. They were forechecking hard and causing problems for the Oilers' defense, especially through the first 40 minutes, putting 46 shots on net for the second game in a row.
Jonathan Quick also rebounded after two pretty brutal games, managing a shutout on 31 shots. He came up big for the Kings at important times and if not for him, it could’ve been a much closer game.
Los Angeles also shut down the Oilers on all three of their power plays, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Kings will have a chance to take back the lead in Game 5 tomorrow night in Edmonton.
Quizwiz
OTHER ARTICLES FROM MAY
Playoff Preview: Kings vs. Oilers
Kings hang on for Game 1 win over Oilers
Kings suffer blowout loss to Oilers in Game 2
Kings suffer another blowout loss in Game 3, now trailing Oilers in series 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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