The Edmonton Oilers forced Game 7 of their first-round series with a 4-2 win over the Kings in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The Oilers need to get off to a good start, something that has never happened in the series. The mission is over, as Jay Woodcroft’s crew dominates the first stage in almost every aspect of the game.
Edmonton opened the scoring after just one minute and forty seconds of play. Connor McDavid spun Jonathan Quick’s net before pushing the puck past the Kings goaltender.
Edmonton doubled its lead with Evander Kane’s sixth goal in the playoffs. Well placed in front of the Kings goalkeeper, he redirected a shot from Brett Kulak.
Kane thought he scored again minutes later, but officials ruled there was a connection between Zach Hyman and Jonathan Quick.
The Kings took advantage of power play in the second period to break the visitors’ lead. Sean Durzi with a powerful shot from the point beat Mike Smith for his first goal in the playoffs.
From the first moments of the final third, the Kings tied the game with Carl Grundstrom’s third goal in the playoffs.
With five minutes and ten seconds left in the third period, the Oilers regained the lead when Tyson Barrie completed a play from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who defeated Jonathan Quick with a wrist shot that went to his right.
Evander Kane completed the scoring in his second of the game scoring as Jonathan Quick left his net to be replaced by a sixth striker.
Draisaitl in bad form
Leon Draisaitl apparently injured his ankle in a scrum in the opening period. He retired to the locker room for a while, then returned there a few minutes before the engagement ended.
He played throughout the match, but obviously not at 100% of his abilities. After Game 5, which was played Tuesday in Edmonton, he showed up at the press conference with symptoms like a cold, cough and hoarse voice.
Seven Defenders
To make up for the absence of Darnell Nurse, who was suspended for the game, the Oilers chose a formation with seven defensemen. Kris Russell and Philip Broberg were included in the line-up, Warren Foegele the striker who had to leave his place.
For young Broberg, it was his first playoff game. He only played three minutes and sixteen seconds. He blocked a pitch.
Source: Radio-Canada
