LA Kings Defeat Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in Overtime, Even NHL Playoff Series

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime in Game 2 of their first-round NHL playoff series on Wednesday night. Anze Kopitar scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway 2:07 into the extra period, firing a wrist shot past Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. Kopitar also had two assists in the game, tying Luc Robitaille's franchise record for most postseason games played at 94.

The Kings jumped out to an early lead with two goals from Adrian Kempe in the first period. Drew Doughty and Kevin Fiala also scored for Los Angeles. However, the Oilers fought back, with Dylan Holloway scoring his first two playoff goals to help Edmonton rally from a 3-1 deficit and tie the game at 4-4 in the third period.

The game was a physical battle throughout, with players from both teams engaging in confrontations and hard hits. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and Kings forward Quinton Byfield were involved in a scuffle in the second period, while Edmonton's Vincent Desharnais and LA's Carl Grundstrom dropped the gloves in the third.

Kings goaltender Cam Talbot made 27 saves in the victory, including several key stops against Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. "It was a hard-fought game," Talbot said after the win. "We knew they were going to come out hard after losing Game 1, but we stayed composed and found a way to get it done in overtime."

Why this matters: The Kings' victory evens the series at one game apiece as it shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4. The Oilers, who dominated the Kings 7-4 in Game 1, will need to find a way to slow down Kopitar and the Kings' offense if they hope to advance to the second round.

The series now moves to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Friday night. The Kings, who finished third in the Pacific Division, will have home-ice advantage for the next two games. Kopitar expressed confidence in his team's ability to build on their Game 2 win, saying "We know what we're capable of when we play our game. We just need to keep bringing that same effort and intensity every night."

Key Takeaways

• Kings defeat Oilers 5-4 in OT in Game 2 of NHL playoff series
• Kopitar scores game-winner, ties franchise record for playoff games played
• Kempe, Doughty, Fiala score for Kings; Holloway nets 2 for Oilers
• Physical game with multiple confrontations and fights between players
• Series tied 1-1 as it shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4