LOS ANGELES — There are instances when the Edmonton Oilers manage to pull through even without their formidable duo nicknamed "McDrai." However, against certain teams, this pairing can turn into quite a mismatch.
The Oilers have demonstrated through three successive playoff wins that they understand the strategy and possess the talent to defeat the Los Angeles Kings. However, without their top players— injured centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—the most defensively solid team in the NHL proved nearly impossible to break down during their 3-0 victory, which extended the Kings' lead over Edmonton to four points within the Pacific division.
Two of the top players globally, and you remove them from our team? They stand out for good reasons," remarked veteran Corey Perry with a shrug. "We did have opportunities. It was just hard to keep up the momentum.
Los Angeles excels remarkably on defense, consistently ranking first or among the top three teams in various defensive categories across the NHL. Analyzing these stats requires particular skill, which Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl possess abundantly, having shattered the Los Angeles Kings' hopes for three consecutive years.
They have practiced extensively and manipulate structures effectively," Perry stated. "We did not generate many opportunities. However, when that single moment arrives, it’s crucial to capitalize on it.
Including playoff games, the Oilers have only lost two matches in regulation out of their past 20 encounters against the Kings. Edmonton’s record stands at 14 wins, 2 losses, and 4 ties during this period.
However, this season, the Kings boast an impressive 29-4-4 home record in the NHL, setting a new franchise best for points at their arena.
The toughest challenge in the league is scoring goals and generating offense, and they're a team that doesn't provide many opportunities," explained Zach Hyman. "Our offensive output has been lacking.
Neither Draisaitl nor McDavid are anticipated to return for Monday’s match against Anaheim, and neither will Mattias Ekholm or Stuart Skinner. The game is likely to feature goaltender Olivier Rodrigue making his inaugural NHL start. This isn’t necessarily needed as a break for Calvin Pickard, who has conceded only two goals across four successive starts, including one empty-netter scored by the Kings towards the end of period three.
During what seemed like one of the less significant games of the season, we observed Pickard holding his position as Kevin Fiala scored a rebound for his 30th goal. Meanwhile, Andrei Kuzmenko struck the back of the net with a powerful snap shot during the second period.
The Oilers were riding a three-game winning streak, all games played without McDavid, Ekholm, Evander Kane, and Skinner. However, this winning run came to an end in Los Angeles, where the squads will meet again in approximately two weeks, presumably to kick off Round 1 for their fourth successive postseason matchup.
It was amusingly ironic that after swapping head coach Todd McLellan for Jim Hiller halfway through the previous season—and subsequently getting eliminated by Edmonton in just five games—the Kings candidly discussed over the summer and autumn their plans to abandon their outdated 1-3-1 defensive strategy in favor of adopting a more fluid style of play this year.
So, Kris Knoblauch, did you notice a significantly different team wearing black and silver on Saturday afternoon?
No, that squad is nearly identical," stated the Oilers head coach. "They've made slight adjustments in their neutral zone play, but it's virtually the same setup. The players have been rearranged somewhat, yet the overall structure remains unchanged.
Some fresh additions have arrived, yet the scene remains much the same in Los Angeles, where exciting hockey tends to lose its edge. The strategy often revolves around securing a win with a score like 2-0, and unless you manage to take the lead against the Kings and make them play more aggressively, they're likely to stick to their defensive game plan.
"They might not operate from the same neutral zone, but they remain the same formidable team. Tough to compete against, and have always been," stated Perry, recalling his days as an Anaheim Duck during Daryl Sutter’s era of consistently dull yet victorious Cup runs.
As a playoff matchup looms nearby, has Perry gained any insights into this Kings team?
There isn’t too much to pick up. You face them multiple times during the playoffs and also in the regular season," he stated. "They position themselves between the puck and the net, blocking your path. They excel at boxing out and playing tough defense. It’s worth acknowledging; they put in a strong effort.
“The odds weren’t great tonight; hats off to them,” noted Knoblauch, whose Oilers managed only 27 shots on goal and were credited with nine high-danger scoring opportunities according to Natural Stat Trick. “No matter who’s in our lineup, generating chances will remain tough due to how they play.”
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The match saw winger Trent Frederic's initial spin with the Oilers, but he caused concern for his new team when he was injured after only six seconds.
Frederic began the match by talking to coach T.D. Forss right away after coming back from a severe ankle injury. During a television break, he tested his legs by taking a turn on the ice, showcasing the limb he hurt when playing in Boston.
He was back on the ice at 12:22, playing consistently thereafter until the end of his shift which totaled 7 minutes and 10 seconds. During this period, he delivered a few hits and found himself involved in several skirmishes near the Kings' net area, particularly when lingering around L.A.'s goaltender Darcy Kuemper for longer than their defenders liked.
There was a minor reassessment of the ankle," Knoblauch stated. "However, when he stepped onto the ice, I enjoyed his gameplay. I appreciate what he brings to our team: a strong presence near the net and some tenacity. He also managed to execute some impressive moves during transitions.
He will make a valuable addition to our group.
Certainly, but they're less appreciated compared to a few others we might have in mind.