LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29, 2023: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) skates away as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrates with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) after they beat the Kings 5-4 to win Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Despite losing, the Oilers get their licks in against the LA Kings in the playoff preview.
It might go down as a loss in the standings, but the Edmonton Oilers’ showdown with the Los Angeles Kings felt far more consequential than the scoreline would suggest. In a heated contest that had all the makings of a playoff battle, the Oilers may have fallen 4-3 in overtime, but they sent a clear message: this series won’t be for the faint of heart.
With the two teams almost certainly on a collision course for a first-round matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tuesday night’s clash in Crypto.com Arena gave fans and players alike a taste of what’s to come. The Kings snagged the extra point on a sudden-death winner from Adrian Kempe, but the Oilers left with their pride intact—and perhaps an edge in the physical and mental warfare that’s about to unfold.
The Rivalry Renewed
This is quickly becoming one of the NHL’s most compelling modern rivalries. For the third postseason in a row, the Oilers and Kings are set to meet in the opening round. The past two series have both been fierce, six- or seven-game slugfests, and Tuesday’s game only reinforced the animosity that’s been steadily building between the two clubs.
Edmonton entered the game riding a hot streak, and while the loss technically ended their five-game win streak, there was plenty to be optimistic about. The Oilers controlled large stretches of play, especially in the second period when they outshot Los Angeles 15-7 and tilted the ice in their favor.
Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard found the net for Edmonton, each goal emblematic of the Oilers’ aggressive approach. More importantly, it was the way the team responded to the Kings’ signature gritty style that caught the eye. The Oilers didn’t back down from scrums, laid some punishing hits, and weren’t afraid to go into the dirty areas. Darnell Nurse’s third-period scrap with Blake Lizotte underscored the tension, with both benches standing and shouting.
Message Sent
“We didn’t come here to play soft,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch after the game. “We know who we’re going to face in the first round. We wanted to show that we’re ready—not just to play our game, but to push back physically when we need to.”
It was a tone echoed by Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who had two assists and was noticeably more involved physically than usual. “It’s playoff time,” McDavid said. “That’s the mindset already. We wanted to play hard, play fast, and play our brand of hockey. We didn’t get the result, but I think we got something else out of tonight.”
McDavid was hounded all night by the Kings’ Philip Danault line, a matchup that’s likely to feature heavily in the playoffs again. Yet even with Danault shadowing him, McDavid managed to make plays and generate chances, including a brilliant feed to Hyman for Edmonton’s second goal. The Kings may have limited his space, but they couldn’t keep him off the scoresheet.
Physicality and Emotion
From the opening puck drop, the game had an edge. Hits came early and often. Cross-checks went uncalled. Glove punches flew. It was playoff hockey in every sense, and the Oilers didn’t shy away. In fact, they seemed to embrace it.
Evander Kane was a lightning rod for confrontation, jawing with Drew Doughty at nearly every whistle and setting the tone with a massive hit on Trevor Moore in the first period. Ryan McLeod, typically more reserved, mixed it up along the boards, and even Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got tangled up in a post-whistle scrum.
“You could feel it on the bench,” said Draisaitl. “It didn’t matter that it was a regular season game. We were treating it like Game 1, and so were they. These are the games you live for.”
The Kings took their shots too. Quinton Byfield had a thunderous open-ice hit on Brett Kulak. Anze Kopitar played his usual composed, two-way game but wasn’t afraid to throw his weight around. And of course, Doughty was Doughty, chipping away at Oilers players all night, stirring the pot like only he can.
Still, for all the physicality and snarl, there was an underlying respect. These are two teams that know each other inside and out. They’ve been through wars. Each knows that the margin between victory and defeat is razor-thin, and neither is taking anything for granted.
Goaltending Duel Looms
One of the most fascinating elements heading into the playoffs will be the goaltending. Stuart Skinner started for the Oilers and was solid, turning away 29 of 33 shots, including several difficult saves on Kings power plays. While Kempe’s game-winner wasn’t a soft goal, Skinner acknowledged afterward that he “wants that one back.”
On the other end, Cam Talbot looked like a man trying to seize the playoff starting role. The former Oiler made 32 saves and bailed the Kings out during a frenetic second period that saw Edmonton swarm the crease. His performance may have solidified his standing over David Rittich as the likely Game 1 starter.
Goaltending hasn’t always been Edmonton’s strength in recent postseasons, but Skinner seems determined to change that narrative. “We’ve been working on playoff habits for a while now,” he said. “That’s how you have to play. That’s how I have to play. Be sharp, be confident, and give the guys a chance.”
Strategic Adjustments Already in Motion
Beyond the physical play and emotional sparks, there were signs of tactical preparation already underway. Both teams rolled out specific line matchups that will almost certainly carry over into the series. The Kings looked to clog the neutral zone and force Edmonton into dump-and-chase hockey—a strategy that paid dividends in last year’s series. The Oilers, by contrast, pushed for quick breakouts and tried to get their defensemen involved in the offense, especially Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm.
“We’re not going to try to win the same way we did last year,” Knoblauch said. “We’ve evolved. And we know they have too.”
Edmonton’s power play, lethal all season, was held in check for most of the night, going 1-for-4. But the looks were there, and Bouchard’s goal on the man advantage reminded everyone that giving the Oilers time and space is still a recipe for disaster.
Looking Ahead: The Real Battle Begins
The Oilers and Kings will face off again next week in the final game of the regular season, a possible tune-up for the playoffs. But with both teams likely to rest key players in that one, Tuesday’s game stands as the last true glimpse of what we can expect when the puck drops for real.
If that game was any indication, buckle up.
The Kings may have won on the scoreboard, but the Oilers walked out with valuable intel, hardened confidence, and a burning desire to flip the script when it counts. Their stars showed up. Their toughness matched L.A.’s blow for blow. And they made it clear they won’t be intimidated by the Kings’ rough-and-tumble brand.
Battle-Tested and Hungry
At this point in the season, wins and losses still matter—but mindset matters more. The Oilers proved they’re mentally ready for the grind ahead. Despite the overtime defeat, the emotional victory was tangible. This wasn’t just about points. It was about pride. About posture. About playoff readiness.
“I don’t think anyone left that game feeling like we were outmatched,” McDavid said. “We’re ready. And we’re going to keep coming.”
The Oilers have long been known for their high-octane offense, but it’s their grit, structure, and unity that could finally propel them deep into the postseason. Against a relentless team like the Kings, all those qualities will be tested—but based on what we saw Tuesday, Edmonton is eager for the challenge.
So while the scoreboard shows a loss, the bigger picture tells another story. The Oilers got their licks in. And they’ll be coming back for more.
