LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe had two third-period goals and two assists, captain Anze Kopitar added a goal and three assists, and the Los Angeles Kings routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 on Wednesday night to seize a 2-0 lead in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Quinton Byfield and Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the second straight game, and Brandt Clarke had his first playoff goal to begin an overwhelming performance by second-seeded Los Angeles.
The Kings blew a four-goal lead before winning Game 1, and they let a three-goal lead slip to 3-2 early in the third period of Game 2 before seizing control with three goals in less than five minutes while chasing goalie Stuart Skinner.
“We've played really well," Kings coach Jim Hiller said. "Tonight, we had some shots alone with the goaltender, and we beat him. We're just playing good, solid hockey offensively and defensively. Both parts are there.”
These Pacific Division rivals are meeting in the first round for the fourth straight year, but the Kings had home-ice advantage for the first time. They've largely dominated two games in the building where they had the NHL’s best home record, scoring 12 goals — including five by their revitalized power play, which was the worst among playoff teams in the regular season.
“We got home ice, battled hard for it, and we wanted to take advantage,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We're happy so far. We've taken the two. You come to the rink tomorrow and focus on the next game. But so far, it's been a good start.”
Game 3 is Friday night in Edmonton.
Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Oilers, but the defending Western Conference champions' endemic defensive struggles couldn’t be covered up by the brilliance of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who was held scoreless.
“They’re very hungry with a lot of belief, and they’re playing well at home,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We can play better. Special teams is the biggest part of it, (but) everywhere we can step up our game. ... We’ve seen this team face difficult situations, a lot more difficult than it is right now. There’s no quit in this group. It’s certainly not an ideal situation, but we certainly won’t panic.”
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings.
Los Angeles went up 3-0 midway through the second when Kuzmenko added to his extraordinary start with the Kings by smacking home a rebound.
Edmonton finally got on the board when Draisaitl redirected a nifty pass from John Klingberg.
Arvidsson scored against his former team with 15:55 to play to tighten it up, but Kempe answered moments later on a pass from Kopitar, who added LA's third power-play goal shortly afterward.
Calvin Pickard replaced Skinner, but Kempe scored again.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
Greg Beacham, The Associated Press
