The Los Angeles Kings certainly are disappointed to be tied with the Edmonton Oilers as they prepare to host Game 5 of their Stanley Cup playoff series on Tuesday.
Having blown a 3-1 third-period lead en route to Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss that has the Western Conference first-round series tied with two wins apiece, the Kings have a mettle test ahead of them.
However, the Kings can also take solace in the fact they posted the NHL’s best home-ice record during the regular season (31-6-4), and won the first two clashes in their own rink in the best-of-seven series.
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the result,” Los Angeles forward Warren Foegele said. “I’m proud of the guys, the way they battled. I thought … we played hard and now we’re excited to go home.”
The Kings were on the verge of gaining a stranglehold on the series, but a recurring issue cropped up Sunday. Los Angeles has blown third-period leads in three of four games this series.
On the flip side, the Kings have been good enough to build those leads, and believe they have the ability to get back into the win column.
“They fed off the crowd at the end. They had more energy and obviously they came back from two goals again,” forward Phil Danault said. “We have to find a way to seal the deal. It’s the little mistakes. It’s not only against Edmonton. In the next round, it’s the same thing. If you’re up 3-1, you have to seal the deal and make those plays when it counts. It’s hard to win, especially on the visitor side.”
Edmonton eliminated the Kings in the first round in each of the past three postseasons.
Having drawn even in this year’s meeting, with a couple of comebacks, the Oilers now must find a way to take the upper hand to bounce Los Angeles for a fourth consecutive postseason.
Certainly the Oilers have the momentum. The trick is to carry it all the way to California and win the pivotal swing game as the series is now a best-of-three.
“That’s what the playoffs are all about, going in and winning a big road game by coming together,” Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. “That’s what special groups do, and obviously, we’re trying to go win a big game in a tough building in an environment that they really thrive in. It’ll be an uphill battle, but I got nothing but belief in this group.”
The Oilers certainly could make it a little easier on themselves. It is huge for their confidence that they have outscored the Kings 11-5 in the third period of this series, but they would make it less stressful on themselves, not to mention the hearts of their fans and coaching staff, by staking a lead and not needing to claw back.
“I think we have been too cautious to start games,” coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We’ve not had that same offensive play as we’ve had in the second half of games.”
