It’s still true — a three-goal advantage is the worst lead in hockey.
After coming out flying for Game 4, the Kings took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission, only to give it all back and eventually be tied 4-4 after 60 minutes of regulation. Unlike the two previous overtime games in the series, where the Kings claimed victory, this time they were downed by Zach Hyman and the Oilers.
Sunday night’s drama and intrigue began much earlier in the evening, though. Kings forward Kevin Fiala not only skated in warmups, but returned to the lineup, skating alongside Gabe Vilardi and Alex Iafallo. The were a highly effective trio throughout the game, and kicked off the scoring when Vilardi found the back of the net just before the midpoint of period one. Viktor Arvidsson and Anze Kopitar later scored to extend the Kings lead and cap off the best opening 20 minutes by Los Angeles in the series thus far.
A goal by Evan Bouchard and two more from Leon Draisaitl saw the Oilers own the second period, where they also outshot the Kings 20-8 and managed to erase the earlier hole they had dug for themselves. LA flipped the script for most of the third period, outshooting their opponents 17-7 and an early goal from defenseman Matt Roy had the Kings nursing a one-goal margin for most of the time remaining in regulation. Then, Evander Kane tied it with just over three minutes remaining; eventually created the need for overtime.
LA managed only three shots in the extra frame and Hyman found a way to get a shot behind Joonas Korpisalo at 10:39 of overtime to tie the series at 2-2. Game 5 will be Tuesday night in Edmonton.
Video highlights via Sportsnet/ESPN:
Kevin Fiala postgame thoughts:
https://twitter.com/BallySportWest/status/1650361930891112450
Additional notes and stats:
— FIRSTS: Arvidsson and Roy scored their first career playoff goals as members of the LA Kings.
— STREAKS: Vilardi now has a three-game postseason point streak coming off his second goal of the series. Meanwhile, Kempe had one assist, extending his postseason-opening point streak to four games. He became the first Kings skater to do so since 2014 (Kopitar 10 GP).
— OILERS: Kopitar scored his second power-play goal of the series and his team-leading sixth point this playoff season. The goal also marked Kopitar’s 10th career playoff point against the Edmonton Oilers, the second-most playoff points against the Oilers among active players. Only Kempe has more (11 points).
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