LA Kings fall to the Edmonton Oilers in game 5 of the playoffs- Must win 2 straight games now- April 2025

April 30, 2025 todd elliot

Game 5 Review: Oilers Take Control, Kings Facing Elimination After 3-1 Loss

The Edmonton Oilers moved within one win of advancing to the next round after a commanding 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5. It was a game defined by discipline, puck control, and costly mistakes — and one that leaves the Kings staring down elimination as the series heads back to Edmonton for Game 6. This would be a horrible ending to a great season and the best chance they have had to beat their rivals in the last 4 years of the playoffs. It is not over but they need to solid great efforts and it starts with game 6 in Edmonton on Thursday

First Period: All Edmonton, But No Finish

The opening period was scoreless but told a clear story: Edmonton came to play, and the Kings were on their heels. The Oilers dominated possession and spent much of the period in the offensive zone, pressing hard with a relentless forecheck. The Kings managed to survive an early penalty kill after Kumako was called for tripping, thanks to strong goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and some last-second desperation defense.

Pickard, starting again in goal for the Oilers, made several sharp saves — including a couple of crucial stops on point-blank chances — to keep the Kings off the board. Still, LA looked shaky, hesitant, and overly conservative. Their transition game was poor, and they struggled to generate sustained offensive zone time. If not for Kuemper and a bit of puck luck, the game could have slipped away early.

Second Period: Kuzmenko Strikes, But Oilers Answer

The Kings were handed a golden opportunity when they earned a power play early in the second. And for once, they took advantage. Andrei Kuzmenko opened the scoring with a long-range shot from the blue line that somehow found its way through traffic and beat Pickard cleanly — a bit of a surprise shot, but one the Kings sorely needed. It gave LA a 1-0 lead and a glimmer of confidence.

However, Edmonton kept the pressure on, controlling the pace with smart puck movement and excellent neutral zone coverage. Their persistence paid off when Evander Kane capitalized on a brief defensive breakdown. Kane took a slick feed and ripped a wrist shot past Kuemper to tie the game 1-1 — a goal that felt inevitable given how much zone time the Oilers were getting.

Despite the 1-1 scoreline at the end of two periods, it was clear Edmonton was dictating play. The Kings were hanging on, relying on Kuemper and collapsing defense just to stay in the game. Their offense, outside of the Kuzmenko goal, was largely invisible.

Third Period: Oilers Finish the Job

The third period continued in much the same vein, with the Oilers tightening their defensive structure and making it extremely difficult for the Kings to generate any dangerous chances. Los Angeles managed a few hopeful entries and low-danger shots, but Pickard never looked seriously threatened. The Oilers’ defensive core — including the much-maligned Darnell Nurse — held firm, though Nurse remained a potential weak link due to his slower foot speed and tendency to take penalties. Unfortunately, the Kings didn’t attack his side nearly enough to make a difference.

The game-winning goal came with just under seven minutes to go. Former King Viktor Arvidsson, playing with an edge all night, broke down the right wing and let a shot go that Kuemper managed to get a pad on. But the rebound bounced right to Mattias Janmark, who buried it into an open net. The Oilers had a 2-1 lead and were in full control.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Kings pulled Kuemper in the final minutes and launched a late flurry in the offensive zone. But once again, it was Edmonton’s star power that had the final say. Connor McDavid — who had been dangerous all night without scoring — set up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for an empty-net goal that sealed the win and put the Kings on the ropes.

Final score: Oilers 3, Kings 1.

Key Factors in the Kings’ Slide

As the Kings face elimination, two major mistakes earlier in the series loom large — moments that could end up defining why their season might end short of expectations:

Game 3 Challenge Error: In a crucial moment, the Kings challenged a goal by arguing it was kicked in, despite multiple replay angles showing it was not. The failed challenge resulted in a delay-of-game penalty, which immediately led to an Edmonton power-play goal — the game-winner. It was a massive misjudgment by the coaching staff in a playoff game where momentum is everything.
Byfield’s Game 4 Turnover: Possibly the most critical error of the series so far. With the Kings leading late in Game 4, Quinton Byfield had the puck on his stick and a chance to clear the zone. Instead of playing it safe, he tried to skate it out, lost possession, and gave Edmonton enough time to pull their goalie. The Oilers tied the game seconds later and went on to win in overtime — a brutal, avoidable collapse.

What the Kings Need to Fix in Game 6

If LA has any hope of forcing a Game 7, the adjustments need to be immediate and intentional:

Attack Darnell Nurse: The Oilers’ defenseman has been a weak point when pressured. The Kings need to isolate him, forecheck aggressively on his side, and draw penalties.
Shoot More, Pass Less: LA’s offense is guilty of being too unselfish. In key moments, they passed on prime shooting lanes, looking for the perfect play instead of just getting pucks on net.
Play with Urgency from the Start: The Oilers have started every game fast. The Kings have to match that intensity early to avoid chasing the game — especially in a hostile building like Rogers Place.

Bottom Line: The Oilers are in the driver’s seat, and the Kings have their backs against the wall. Game 6 will require their best 60 minutes of hockey if they hope to keep their season alive. But unless they clean up their mental mistakes and start playing with more confidence in the offensive zone, this series could be over — and remembered more for the errors than the effort.