Adrian Kempe had two third-period targets and two assists, captain Anze Kopitar added a aim and three assists, and the Los Angeles Kings routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 on Wednesday evening to grab a 2-0 lead within the first-round Stanley Cup playoff collection.
Quinton Byfield and Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the second straight sport, and Brandt Clarke scored his first playoff aim to start an awesome efficiency by second-seeded Los Angeles.
The Kings blew a four-goal lead earlier than profitable Sport 1, they usually let a three-goal lead slip to 3-2 early within the third interval of Sport 2 earlier than seizing management with three targets in lower than 5 minutes whereas chasing goalie Stuart Skinner.
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These Pacific Division rivals are assembly within the first spherical for the fourth straight yr, however the Kings had home-ice benefit for the primary time. They’ve largely dominated two video games within the constructing the place they’d the NHL’s greatest residence report, scoring 12 targets — together with 5 by their revitalized energy play, which was the worst amongst playoff groups within the common season.
Sport 3 is Friday evening in Edmonton.
Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Oilers, however the defending Western Convention champions’ endemic defensive struggles couldn’t be lined up by the brilliance of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who was held scoreless.
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings.
Los Angeles went up 3-0 halfway by way of the second when Kuzmenko added to his extraordinary begin with the Kings by smacking residence a rebound.
Edmonton lastly obtained on the board when Draisaitl redirected a nifty go from John Klingberg.
Arvidsson scored in opposition to his former workforce with 15:55 to play to tighten it up, however Kempe answered moments in a while a go from Kopitar, who added LA’s third power-play aim shortly afterward.
Calvin Pickard changed Skinner, however Kempe scored his second aim 90 seconds later.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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