There was a time when it seemed like the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings were destined to meet every spring in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. From 1982 to 1992, the two faced off in seven postseason series, and that includes playing each other every year between 1989 to 1992.
When Edmonton defeated Los Angeles in Game 6 of the Smythe Division Semi-Final on April 28, 1992 — winning the series 4-2 — no one would have ever guessed that it would be another three decades before the teams next faced off in the postseason.
Three decades and four days, to be precise.
Related: Kings: 3 Keys to Defeating the Oilers in Round 1
On Monday, May 2, Edmonton will host Los Angeles for Game 1 of the first round of the 2022 NHL Playoffs, reviving one of the great postseason rivalries in Oilers history. Some of the Oilers’ most memorable and momentous playoff games have come against Los Angeles, and as Edmonton gets set for its eighth series with the Kings, here’s a look back at the previous seven.
1982 Smythe Division Semi-Final
The first postseason meeting between the Oilers and Kings will forever be remembered for the “Miracle on Manchester”, regarded by many as the greatest comeback in NHL history.
Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
With the best-of-five series knotted at one game apiece, the teams squared off in a pivotal Game 3 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. Edmonton surged to a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes, only to watch the Kings score five unanswered goals in the third period, then complete the rally when Darryl Evans ripped the puck past Oilers netminder Grant Fuhr at 2:35 of overtime for the stunning 6-5 win.
Edmonton rebounded to win Game 4, 3-2, and bring the series back to Northlands Coliseum. But the Oilers were unable to take advantage of home ice in the deciding Game 5, falling 7-4 to the Kings, who won and took the series 3-2. It was a massive upset, as Edmonton had finished first in the Campbell…
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