When the Kings boarded their charter flight to Edmonton last week they had a commanding lead in their first-round playoff with the Oilers. After going 0 for Edmonton, they got back on their plane early Monday with the series even at two games apiece.
The best-of-seven series is now a best of three, beginning with Game 5 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. But a 2-0 series lead isn’t the only thing the Kings lost in Canada. They also gave up third-period advantages in both games in Edmonton, losing a 3-1 lead Sunday on two goals from defenseman Evan Bouchard, the second with 29 seconds left in regulation.
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That sent the game to overtime, where Leon Draisaitl won it 4-3 on a power-play goal with 92 seconds to play, leaving the frustrated Kings to ponder what they’ve squandered.
“We have to find a way to seal the deal,” center Phillip Danault whispered in a locker room so quiet you could hear the team’s playoff hopes drop. “The little mistakes. You’re up 3-1, you’ve got to make those plays when it counts.
“It’s hard to win. Especially on the visitor side.”
That last point would seem to favor the Kings since two of the final three games in the series, if needed, will be played in Los Angeles, where the team won a league-best 33 games this season. But if the Kings still have the home-ice advantage, they no longer have the momentum.
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Now it’s the Oilers who believe.
Read more: Kings must overcome power of rabid Edmonton Oilers fans after faltering in Game 3
“We have a strong belief. A strong belief that we’re never out,” said center Connor McDavid, who had assists on both Bouchard goals. “We’re trying to find ways to win games. We found a way tonight.”
It’s actually the same way they’ve used to outscore the Kings 12-5 in the third period and overtime in the series. In Game 1, the Kings let a three-goal lead get away before rallying to win. In Game 3, they were outscored 4-0 in the final 20 minutes in a game the Oilers won. And in Game 4 they gave up the final three goals, watching a two-goal lead turn into another loss.
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The series has truly been a tale of two cities: The Kings never trailed in Los Angeles, but have been outscored 11-7 in Edmonton. The Oilers failed to score on five power-play opportunities in Los Angeles, but converted four of five chances in Edmonton — the last of which was Sunday’s game-winner.
So it’s no surprise the Kings couldn’t wait to get on the plane…