Just when it seemed the Los Angeles Kings had things perfectly wrapped up to take a 3-1 series stranglehold on their longtime rival, the Edmonton Oilers, they had the rug pulled out from underneath them.
The Oilers rebounded from a 3-1 deficit in the third period of Sunday’s Game 4, knotting the score at 3-3 thanks to a pair of goals, including the tying marker from Evan Bouchard in the last minute of regulation.
In overtime, it was Leon Draisaitl scoring the deciding goal after a controversial penalty call on Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on Connor McDavid, whom many fans feel embellished. There’s nothing that can be done about it now, as the result is in the books, and both teams are deadlocked at 2-2.
Oilers Seized Victory Over the Kings From Jaws of Defeat
Edmonton’s goaltending issues were on full display during the contest, as Calvin Pickard (who replaced Stuart Skinner following his rough performances in Los Angeles in Games 1 and 2) allowed a tally from Trevor Moore midway through the first period.
Ex-Oilers forward Warren Foegele extended the lead to 2-0, only to have current Edmonton forward Corey Perry cut the lead in half with a power-play goal. However, Kevin Fiala restored the two-goal lead soon afterward.
With a 3-1 lead in the third period and a chance to take a 3-1 series lead, the Kings instead collapsed into a prevent defense mode that ultimately proved costly. Bouchard scored twice in the final frame, including his tying goal with 29 seconds left to knot the score at 3-3.
After a questionable tripping call on Gavrikov, Draisaitl sealed Edmonton’s victory with a goal late in the first overtime.
Los Angeles Players Who Missed the Mark Against Edmonton
Anže Kopitar
The leader of the Kings and a two-time Stanley Cup winner, Anže Kopitar knows all about pressure-packed situations and the need for the face of the team to come through. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to for his club against the Oilers.
Kopitar was held completely in check by Edmonton’s defense, kept off the scoresheet, and didn’t make a noticeable impact. He managed only a single shot on goal during the entire contest, which included nearly a full extra period of play in OT.
Quinton Byfield
The final minute of regulation will haunt Quinton Byfield for the foreseeable future, as it was his inability to clear the puck that led directly to Bouchard’s tying goal that sent the game to overtime.
Byfield played just over 28 minutes during regulation and overtime and didn’t record a single point, adding to what will be a tough memory of Game 4.
Vladislav Gavrikov
Regardless of whether or not fans think McDavid dove on the fateful overtime penalty, Gavrikov still committed it and put his team at a major disadvantage. He could only watch helplessly in the penalty box as Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal, and it was certainly a sinking feeling.
It didn’t help that Gavrikov also committed three giveaways.
