In Los Angeles, Kevin Fiala netted his 30th goal of the campaign, Darcy Kuemper recorded 27 stops for his fifth clean sheet this season, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The celebration continued as they learned shortly after that Vegas had defeated Calgary, securing their spot in the playoffs.
Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor Lewis also found their names on the scoresheet.
Los Angeles stayed three points shy of the Pacific Division leader, Vegas, which secured a 3-2 victory in overtime against Calgary as the final match of the evening. The team also holds a four-point lead over third-place Edmonton.
Calvin Pickard made 26 saves for the Oilers, who had secured victories in their last three games.
It was Edmonton’s first game since center Leon Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury against San Jose on Thursday that will keep the 50-goal scorer out in the short term. Draisaitl is expected to return before the playoffs begin on April 19.
After a scoreless first period, Fiala put the Kings ahead for good midway through the second when he scored on the rebound of a shot by Alex Laferriere.
TakeawaysOilers: Trent Frederic made his Edmonton debut. The forward was acquired from Boston in a three-team trade on March 4 and had been sidelined because of an ankle injury.
Kings: The first line of Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe and Kuzmenko has combined for 17 goals and 22 assists in the 16 games since Kuzmenko arrived for a 2027 third-round pick.
Key moment
What looked to be the first career goal for AHL workman Jeff Malott early in the second was overturned because of an Edmonton coach's challenge. However, the electric offensive play sparked the Kings to take charge of the game.
Key stat
Fiala and Kempe are the first pair of Kings to each score 30 goals in a season since Kopitar and Dustin Brown in 2007-08.
Up nextOn Monday night, both teams take the ice. The Oilers travel to face Anaheim, while the Kings welcome Seattle to their home arena.
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