Takeaways from the Kings’ 4-3 shootout loss vs Edmonton Oilers

2nd period:

EDM: Connor McDavid (37), ASST: None

LAK: Quinton Byfield (5), ASST: None

LAK: Carl Grundstrom (8), ASST: Phillip Danault (19), Alexander Edler (11)

3rd period:

None

Overtime:

None

Shootout winner:

EDM: Leon Draisaitl

Goals:

LAK: 3

EDM: 4

Shots:

LAK: 41

EDM: 33

Power-plays:

LAK: 0/3

EDM: 0/2

1. Turnovers lead to goals

The LA Kings got off to a really good start as Alexander Edler’s goal 2:46 into the game gave the Kings the lead on their first shot of the game. Fast forward to the end of the first period and the Kings found themselves trailing 2-1 heading into the intermission. Both goals the Kings allowed were off of turnovers in their own zone.

The first goal by the Oilers was off a pass by Anze Kopitar to Sean Durzi behind the net. Durzi couldn’t handle it cleanly and Oilers forward Connor McDavid stole the puck and fed the puck to defenseman Cody Ceci in the right circle who beat Jonathan Quick glove side. 1-1.

The second goal by the Oilers came off a failed clearing attempt by Phillip Danault. Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak kept the puck in at the blue line and Zach Hyman skated around the net and while falling down, backhanded the puck across the crease to Leon Draisaitl who tapped the puck into a wide-open net. 2-1 Oilers lead.

As was the case in the loss on Monday to the Kraken, quite a few turnovers or miscues by the Kings last night ended up in their own net.

2. Crazy second period

The middle frame seemed to be where it opened up just a bit. Connor McDavid netted his 37th goal of the year banking the puck off the stick of Alex Iafallo to extend the Oilers’ lead to 3-1. The Kings didn’t roll over and quit, they battled back. 47 seconds after McDavid scored, Quinton Byfield fired a shot by the glove of Mikko Koskinen to bring the Kings within one.

14 seconds after Byfield brought the Kings to within one, Carl Grundstrom tied the game at three-all.

After a wild 61-second sequence, both teams traded chances the next few minutes with some end-to-end action. The two teams went into the intermission tied at 3-3.

“I thought that line played one of their better games since we put them together. They spent time in the offensive zone, they checked well, and used their speed when they had to…Q shot the puck…and it was good for him to get rewarded,” head coach Todd McLellan said after the game when referencing the play of the third line, especially Quinton Byfield.

3. Playoff preview?

Last night could have very well been a playoff preview of a seven-game series between the two clubs. If the playoffs were to start today, the Kings and Oilers would match up in the first round with the Kings getting the home-ice advantage.

It would be a great series, no doubt about it. But, we still have four weeks left to go in the regular season and anything can happen. If they do meet up, we’ll be in for a real treat.

Isn’t it great to see the Kings play meaningful hockey games towards the end of the season again?

The Kings will be back at it again tonight against the Calgary Flames. The game time is 6:00 PM PT.