After getting the road split, the Los Angeles Kings will return home for the third postseason in a row versus the same opponent. Each of those series are immediate and fresh memories of how things can spiral out of hand. The highs and lows of the playoffs are evident, and to show that, captain Anze Kopitar sealed game two in overtime to send the series back to LA.
In 2021-22 LA won game one 4-3 with a Phillip Danault game winner. LA was exposed early with a 50% penalty kill performance in game one, but they pulled off the win. Edmonton would not only win the next game 6-0 but would punish the Kings 8-2 in the first game of the series in LA.
In the 2022-23 season, the Kings started off strong, winning game one with an Alex Iafallo Overtime powerplay slapper. This crucial goal was set up by a brilliant assist from Kopitar, showcasing the team's coordination and skill. However, they faced a setback in game two, losing 4-2. The series took a controversial turn in game three, with the Kings securing a win through an overtime goal by Trevor Moore, sparking debates and discussions among fans and analysts.
LA would lose three straight following their controversial OT win in game three.
This year, LA has gained the split of an incredible team effort win in which their top guns played their finest roles. They were blasted in game one, in which the series was expected to end quickly. Edmonton was back to their old ways, going 3/4 on the powerplay, while their captain, Connor McDavid, threw in five helpers. To come flying back out in game two, into a building that has become a house of horrors, and get the split, showed excellent resilience for this 'underdog team'.
The past represents extremely crucial lessons. Each year represents new dialogues and situations. With the Kings playing the Oilers for the third year in a row, the series doesn't skew too far off course. Yes, personnel have changed, but they have largely remained intact from that seven-game rout in 2021-22.
The Kings return home to an arena they have thrived at since the All-Star break. They were 14-3-1 over that stretch and ranked at the league's top. They should feel more comfortable in their own barn and will have the matchups to deploy in their favor. Edmonton was able to get the split each of the past two postseasons. Getting the sweep at home would go a considerable way toward getting past this familiar foe.
Another regular season stat to keep in mind? 35-0-3. That's LA's record when leading after 40 minutes. Goal in mind? Get the lead.
The good news for the Kings heading home is that they have yet to play their best hockey. They have yet to get the most out of guys like Viktor Arvidsson, Kevin Fiala, Trevor Moore, Phillip Danault and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Arvidsson had a great dish to Drew Doughty in game two, and Fiala added the fourth goal off a half-wall shot from distance. Moore scored on the broken stick Cody Ceci play in the game one onslaught. We have yet to see Danault make an impact on the scoresheet. You'll take anything you can in the playoffs, but there's entirely another gear for those players.
Dubois has a season-long story of not seeing anything close to his potential. As a non-natural play driver, he still represents an enigma for this club. Ideally, Dubois can be deployed, especially at home, against lesser matchups, during which he should feast. We have yet to see that all year. The closest was after the All-Star break, in which the Kings shut out the same Oilers squad minus Carrick and Henrique. He matched up regularly in that game against Leon Draisaitl and won that tilt.
Is it too late to give Dubois a carrot like that? Or does Draisaitl's playoff magic act as too much, causing the Kings to stick to the course?
A massive opportunity to take care of business at home against their most familiar foe. Regular season statistics are moot come playoffs, it'll be time to show that their home prowess remains dominant.