Ben Shelley: Kings hang on for Game 1 win over Oilers

I'm so happy today. The cOilers certainly don't disappoint.

Decent game last night.. a couple of fantom calls drawn by Draisitl. and a major breakdown on the PK, gifting Draisitl that PP goal. All 4 Kings players went to one side of the ice, leaving Draisitl all alone in the slot..

LA's PP has to be better and hopefully Arvidsson will be back for Game 2.

All in all though, a decent game for LA considering the Oilers scored 2 PP goals.

Decent game last night.. a couple of fantom calls drawn by Draisitl. and a major breakdown on the PK, gifting Draisitl that PP goal. All 4 Kings players went to one side of the ice, leaving Draisitl all alone in the slot..

LA's PP has to be better and hopefully Arvidsson will be back for Game 2.

All in all though, a decent game for LA considering the Oilers scored 2 PP goals.
- stefano76

8 penalties to start the playoffs, and some of the calls were even too soft for regular season. Yet, they chose to not call a double pick by McDavid that resulted in a scoring chance. Saying that, I don't know why EDM chose to sit back for 2 periods. LA was coming at them in waves. Smith was not good, but that's about what you can expect from him in the playoffs. Makes amazing saves one minute them waves at the puck the next. I doubt he goes up the middle again, but he is apt to put it over the glass at some point. He just hates to let the D-men do their jobs. Wants the assists.

Everything about this series says Oilers should win in 5. So Kings in 4 because Oilers gonna Oiler.

8 penalties to start the playoffs, and some of the calls were even too soft for regular season. Yet, they chose to not call a double pick by McDavid that resulted in a scoring chance. Saying that, I don't know why EDM chose to sit back for 2 periods. LA was coming at them in waves. Smith was not good, but that's about what you can expect from him in the playoffs. Makes amazing saves one minute them waves at the puck the next. I doubt he goes up the middle again, but he is apt to put it over the glass at some point. He just hates to let the D-men do their jobs. Wants the assists.
- Traveldude

The guy is our best outlet passer

Decent game last night.. a couple of fantom calls drawn by Draisitl. and a major breakdown on the PK, gifting Draisitl that PP goal. All 4 Kings players went to one side of the ice, leaving Draisitl all alone in the slot..

LA's PP has to be better and hopefully Arvidsson will be back for Game 2.

All in all though, a decent game for LA considering the Oilers scored 2 PP goals.
- stefano76

Personally I would've preferred getting lit up last night. I don't know how many lessons the players are going to take away from that game. I'm sure there's a lot of them thinking that if Smith didn't make that play everything would've been fine. When in reality the team needs to be better than they were.

Personally I would've preferred getting lit up last night. I don't know how many lessons the players are going to take away from that game. I'm sure there's a lot of them thinking that if Smith didn't make that play everything would've been fine. When in reality the team needs to be better than they were.
- Lahey

I understand the sentiment, but if Quick didn't make some 10 bell saves that he almost had no business making, EDM wins 6-3 or more. Kane was absolutely robbed. Moore clears the puck out of the crease while Quick is on his belly facing the other side of the rink... a couple of deflections that just go wide. The Kings stole that game and Smith's gift was just EDM leaving the front door unlocked and letting the Kings in to pick them clean. I expect Kane to try and be as nasty as he can and taking himself out the game in #2, but I also expect McD to score 2 on his own, maybe more. I don't know if Quick can replicate that tomorrow.

LA's PP and PK continue to be a gong show. Game was decent. No call on drai for that 2 handed hack was weird. Evan Bouchard really impressed me for EDM. He stepped up his physicality. That kid is gonna be good.

The guy is our best outlet passer
- Lahey

In the decade of darkness? Sure. Now, the entire blueline excluding Russell are more competent at breakout passes than Smith is or ever could be. In fact, the man Smith looked off to attempt his "heroics" was Bouchard- the teams best outlet passer- who was standing unmolested in the right corner.

I understand the sentiment, but if Quick didn't make some 10 bell saves that he almost had no business making, EDM wins 6-3 or more. Kane was absolutely robbed. Moore clears the puck out of the crease while Quick is on his belly facing the other side of the rink... a couple of deflections that just go wide. The Kings stole that game and Smith's gift was just EDM leaving the front door unlocked and letting the Kings in to pick them clean. I expect Kane to try and be as nasty as he can and taking himself out the game in #2, but I also expect McD to score 2 on his own, maybe more. I don't know if Quick can replicate that tomorrow.
- Stu17

Side note: I knew Moore was having a breakout year but has he been THAT good all year? Not the points necessarily but during play? The guy was everywhere at exactly the right time and was working hard & smart all night.

Side note: I knew Moore was having a breakout year but has he been THAT good all year? Not the points necessarily but during play? The guy was everywhere at exactly the right time and was working hard & smart all night.
- MaximumBone

Yes

Side note: I knew Moore was having a breakout year but has he been THAT good all year? Not the points necessarily but during play? The guy was everywhere at exactly the right time and was working hard & smart all night.
- MaximumBone

Ever since he started playing with PD he has taken it to another level on both sides of the puck. I think the biggest improvement or otherwise previously unknown, is his ability to puck handle in a phone booth and scoot up the ice with amazing vision on everything around him. I don't know if it's sustainable, but if it is, he's a diamond in the rough.