Oilers eliminate Kings for the third year in a row

The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings and a 4-1 series win. Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Down with the Kings: Oilers eliminate L.A. for the third year in a row

By Paul Harris | Last updated 5/2/24

That's three in a row.

The Edmonton Oilers advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by eliminating the Los Angeles Kings in the first round for the third consecutive season.

The Oilers hung on for a 4-3 win on Wednesday night on their home ice at Rogers Place to take the Western Conference series in five games.

Edmonton will play the winner of the series between the Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators. The Canucks lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 on Friday.

Edmonton scored three goals in the second period to wipe out a 2-1 Los Angeles lead.

Leon Draiasitl got the first two and Zach Hyman poked in the other marker. While only Draisaitl's first goal — 7:44 into the period to tie the game 2-2 — was officially on the power play, the other two came seconds after Oilers power plays ended.

Draisaitl got his second of the game with 7:39 left in the middle period, and Zach Hyman scored with 53 seconds left in the second stanza.

Evander Kane got the other Edmonton goal. Defenseman Evan Bouchard had three assists and Connor McDavid two. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner made 18 saves.

Draisaitl had five goals and 10 points in the series, McDavid racked up a goal and 11 assists for 12 points and Hyman had seven goals and an assist in the five games.

Adrian Kempe made it 4-3 with Kings goaltender David Rittich pulled for the extra attacker with 2:18 left.

Alex Laferriere and Blake Lizotte also scored for Los Angeles. Rittich stopped 22 shots.

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