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The Los Angeles Kings weren’t able to finish off the Edmonton Oilers at home last night, with the Oilers picking up a 4-2 win in Game 6 to extend the series.
Edmonton opened the scoring under two minutes into the game, with Connor McDavid driving down the wing then beating Jonathan Quick with a wraparound. The Kings ended up outplaying the Oilers following the goal and generating some shots, but Edmonton took momentum late in the frame, keeping a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Oilers then extended the lead early in the second period, with Evander Kane tipping in Brett Kulak’s point shot. It looked like Edmonton had then potentially scored again just a few minutes later, but the goal was immediately waived off for goaltender interference. The Kings did start to generate some momentum later in the frame though and Sean Durzi got Los Angeles on the board with six minutes remaining in the period, stepping into a one-timer on a power play and beating Mike Smith, cutting the lead to one through 40 minutes.
Then only 28 seconds into the third period, Matt Roy found Carl Grundstrom in front with a great pass and Grundstrom beat Smith, tying the game. The teams exchanged some chances after that in what was a relatively even frame, but with just five minutes remaining, a pass was dropped back to Tyson Barrie who moved down with the puck and beat Quick with a wrist shot to give the Oilers a lead once again. The Kings had chances to tie the game on a late power play after that, but an empty net goal from Evander Kane secured a 4-2 Oilers win and a Game 7.
The Kings didn’t put together as strong of an opening first period as we’ve come to expect and never really found their footing to build sustained pressure later for any significant stretches of time. They were allowing more chances off the rush and had a difficult time defending the Oilers at even strength.
That said, they did a good job staying out of the box, limiting the Oilers to a single power play, even if it didn’t result in a win. They have to continue to stay disciplined in Game 7, given how deadly Edmonton’s power play will be.
The good news is the Kings have managed to take two of three games in Edmonton so far in the series, so we know they can beat the Oilers on the road. Overall, the Kings were actually better on the road than at home this year, so home ice advantage really doesn’t seem to play much of a factor for them at this point. It should be another exciting matchup for Game 7 tomorrow, but this time with the Kings’ season on the line.
QuizMaker
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
Kings shut out Oilers in Game 4 to even series
Kings blow lead but win Game 5 in OT, take 3-2 series lead over Oilers 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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