Kings fall in overtime as Oilers even series with Game 4 win
Chriss Hughes
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after their 5-4 overtime victory against the Kings in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Matt Roy, right, plays the puck away from the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Gabriel Vilardi (13) scores against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) and goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates after scoring against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) and goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings fans cheer after right wing Gabe Vilardi (13) scored during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Gabe Vilardi (13) celebrates his goal with Alex Iafallo, center, and Kevin Fiala (22) as the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto skates away during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Arthur Kaliyev (34) and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) reach for the puck during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Actor/comedian Will Ferrell celebrates after Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) scored during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, left, celebrates his goal with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo for a 2-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson celebrates his goal with the bench during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman comes out from behind the net in front of Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) scores against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar (11) scores a goal past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner to give his team a 3-0 lead during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates his goal with Kevin Fiala, left, and Drew Doughty (8) to give them a 3-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings celebrate after center Anze Kopitar (11) scored during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Fans cheer before Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game between the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar celebrates his goal, which gave the team a 3-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) pushes Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) scores against Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A Edmonton Oilers fan celebrates after left wing Zach Hyman scored during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) stops a shot by Kings left wing Alex Iafallo (19) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) falls after being pushed by Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, center, celebrates his goal behind the Kings’ Mikey Anderson (44) and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, right, to cut the Oilers’ deficit to 3-2 during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, left, celebrates his goal with Connor McDavid, center, and Evan Bouchard, cutting their deficit to 3-2 during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl celebrates with the bench after his goal cut their deficit to 3-2 during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings center Phillip Danault (24) shoots against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, left, plays the puck away from the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, center, and Kings teammate Adrian Kempe, right, during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates his goal with Evan Bouchard, right, and Zach Hyman (18) to tie the score at 3-3 during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl celebrates his goal with Mattias Ekholm (14), which tied the score at 3-3 during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Quinton Byfield knocks down the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the second period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) knocks down Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, right, goes after the puck in front of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, left, and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo during the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman looks to pass as he is watched by Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, left, and Gabe Vilardi during the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Derek Ryan, left, plays the puck as he is pinned along the boards by the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov during the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Warren Foegele (37) tries a wrap-around shot against Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, left, during the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Warren Foegele (37) shoots against Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, right, pushes Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid during the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) scores against Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) celebrates after scoring during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, right, celebrates his game-tying goal in front of the Kings’ Anze Kopitar with 3:02 left in the third period of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate with left wing Evander Kane (91) after he scored during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate with left wing Evander Kane (91) after he scored during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) shoots against Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, left, cross-checks the Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard into the boards for a penalty during overtime in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) reacts after Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman scored during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with center Leon Draisaitl (29) after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with center Leon Draisaitl (29) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with center Leon Draisaitl (29) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with center Leon Draisaitl (29) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game against the Kings Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Oilers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, celebrates a game-winning overtime goal by Zach Hyman, not pictured, with Mattias Ekholm (14) and Evan Bouchard (2) in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, right, and forward Quinton Byfield skate off the ice after a goal by the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman gaves the Oilers a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after a 5-4 win over the Kings in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series hockey game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES — Though the Kings carried a three-goal lead into the first intermission and held an edge late in regulation, nothing could prevent Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers from evening their playoff series against the Kings at two games apiece.
The Kings mounted a three-goal advantage, allowed it to evaporate, took a third-period lead, ceded a tying goal late and ultimately lost 5-4 in overtime on Sunday night to turn the seven-game series into a best-of-three with Game 5 as well as a potential Game 7 to be played north of the border.
The Kings remained in pursuit of their first playoff series victory since the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. Three of the four matches in the series thus far have required overtime.
“The series is tied 2-2, so we can be frustrated tonight but tomorrow’s a new day and we’ve got to get ready for Game 5, that’s how it is,” team captain Anze Kopitar said.
Kopitar, Gabe Vilardi, Viktor Arvidsson and Matt Roy scored goals for the Kings. Arvidsson added an assist, while Phillip Danault contributed two, equaling the total of winger Kevin Fiala, who saw his first action since April 1. Joonas Korpisalo made 35 saves.
While Edmonton’s stars delivered – Draisaitl had two goals as part of a three-point night that matched the production of McDavid and Evan Bouchard – it was Evander Kane slotting home the equalizer and Zach Hyman delivering the game-winner. Stuart Skinner surrendered three goals in 20 minutes before former King Jack Campbell earned the win in relief.
The overtime session was filled with held breath and loud gasps until 10:39 into the additional frame, when Hyman received Bouchard’s stretch pass off the boards at the Kings’ blue line before banking a shot off Korpisalo and in for the winning goal.
“It’s my first overtime playoff winner,” said Hyman, who is close friends with Game 3 overtime hero Trevor Moore from their time in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. “It’s probably the most important goal of my career to date.”
The Oilers had already surmounted a three-goal lead and, much as they rallied from two series deficits last season, they overcame a second disadvantage Sunday. With 3:02 to play, Kane provided an equalizer from the low slot. Kane scored seven goals in last year’s series, and his second of this one proved pivotal.
Unabated by a three-goal inferno that fizzled to ash during the middle of the game, the Kings had responded with a go-ahead goal in the final frame.
Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse stepped up to hit winger Trevor Moore, parting the seas for a Kings rush that was started by Roy and culminated in his activating for a goal between the wickets of Campbell. Roy had superb timing in delivering his first goal of the postseason.
“Matt Roy was heavy, he was hard, he jumped into the rush for a goal,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “He had a huge impact on the game.”
Edmonton came out determined to tilt the ice in the second period and they did just that, sandwiching an even-strength goal between two power-play markers to make it a new game, much as they’d later make this it a new series.
“They’re all big tests, but this one was really big, in that moment, it was massive for our group,” Draisaitl said. “We responded really, really well, it’s not an easy team to come back against … we just came in waves in the second period.”
A bit of controversy preceded the Kings’ third goal on Friday – Moore’s overtime game-winner – and another came before Edmonton’s third goal on Sunday. Fiala checked Draisaitl to the ice, sending the Kings on a counterattack that was blown dead because of a tripping penalty. The infraction was difficult to discern, but that didn’t prevent Draisaitl from scoring his NHL-leading fifth goal of the postseason with a power-play goal from the doorstep with just 11 seconds left in the period.
“It’s been a strange series, it seems like the team that gets the lead takes their foot off the gas a little bit and sits back,” said McLellan, whose team surmounted deficits in both its victories as well as its Game 2 loss.
Draisaitl had scored from in tight 10:08 earlier. McDavid caused defenseman Drew Doughty to fall behind the net, taking a rearguard out of the play and leaving Draisaitl unmarked to receive a pass in front for a rising wrist shot.
Edmonton had gotten on the board less than five minutes into the period with another power-play goal. Their first unit moved the puck with aplomb, setting up two one-timers for Bouchard, the second of which interrupted a shutout streak for Korpisalo that was just seconds shy of 60 minutes.
The Kings tried to reward their fans in the first period for a long wait, nine years, since the team’s last playoff series victory. They piled up three goals between the 9:25 and 18:11 marks of the frame.
After two even-strength goals, the Kings’ ostensible insurance marker came on the power play. Fiala beat Nurse off the wall and chipped a pass into the slot to a wide-open Kopitar, who waited out Skinner and deposited the puck off his backhand.
Fiala earned the primary assists on two goals and appeared none the worse for wear Sunday.
“He made a big difference in the game. He gave us an emotional lift, first of all, you could feel it in the locker room,” McLellan said. “He gave us a third line that was very dangerous offensively.”
The Kings had cushioned their edge when Arvidsson received a pass at the blue line before twirling into the zone, burning defenseman Vincent Desharnais and zooming ahead for a goal that beat Skinner through his five hole.
The Kings had gotten their first goal from a pair of players who began the series battling injuries. Fiala, who hadn’t played since April 1, dragged Desharnais to the net and banked a shot off Skinner’s pad, creating a rebound goal for Vilardi.
All the fireworks of the first period gave way to yet another arduous affair.
“We’ve prepared for a long series. We’re bunkered in for a long series,” Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft said. “Tonight, we got a big win, it’s a best-of-three now.”
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