This isn't the first time that the Edmonton Oilers have been down after one game in the playoffs. We saw this last season against LA, coincidentally also a 4-3 loss and against the Flames in the second round. Edmonton also lost their first game against the Sharks back in 2017. In each these cases however the Edmonton Oilers were able to regroup and come back and win in the second game. Fans are hoping to see that tonight.
Here is the positive outlook on that game. Edmonton dominated the first two periods of that game at 5 on 5 and did so with McDavid not on the scoresheet. The Oilers were rolling four lines with ease and were coming out ahead both in shot generation and defensive metrics.
The third period however can only be called disastrous and it was a problem of the Oilers own making. Edmonton started taking way too many penalties and gave the Kings all of the momentum while keeping the Oilers hemmed in their own end and unable to generate themselves at 5 on 5. I know some fans want to pick at the refs and while there maybe could have been one or two more calls to go the Oilers way, the penalties Edmonton took were blatant and undisciplined calls that aren't going to go unnoticed.
The message from the coaching staff should be simple. Play the same tempo game that they did in the first two periods and ensure they are being more careful with their sticks on the ice and success should follow.
The Kings will be getting Gabriel Vilardi back tonight, an excellent scorer which gives the Kings one more dangerous weapon against the Oilers. Meanwhile it looks like Janmark is out potentially for the series after blocking multiple shots in the first game. Edmonton wasted a chance to earn a win when their opponent was not at full strength and now they need to put in all the more effort tonight against an opponent who has tasted blood already.
Over the past two months the Oilers have been the team that dominated in the first two periods against the Kings. Keep that consistency and Edmonton can get right back in this series.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the game!