Darcy Kuemper (35) of the Los Angeles Kings stops a shot from Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) as Drew Doughty (8) helps defend during the second period of their NHL playoff game in Edmonton on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)
Leon Draisaitl stepped up when it mattered most, scoring on a power play late in overtime to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. His heroics evened the first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
The Oilers looked headed for defeat until Evan Bouchard saved the night, tying the game with just 29 seconds left in the third period. That set the stage for a tense overtime, where Edmonton earned a critical power play after Vladislav Gavrikov tripped Connor McDavid. Draisaitl seized the moment, burying a rebound for his third goal of the playoffs. He also collected three assists in a stellar performance.
Corey Perry added a goal and an assist, while McDavid chipped in with two helpers. With Sunday’s win, the Oilers completed a strong bounce-back at home after dropping the opening two games in Los Angeles.
The Kings, desperate to end a playoff drought that dates back to their 2014 Stanley Cup win, had goals from Trevor Moore, Warren Foegele, and Kevin Fiala. Despite the loss, Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper was outstanding, turning aside 43 shots. Edmonton’s Calvin Pickard held firm as well, making 38 saves to earn the victory.
Los Angeles struck first midway through the opening period. After a sloppy Oilers turnover, Phillip Danault dug the puck out of the corner and fed Moore, who squeezed his second goal of the series past Pickard.
The Kings quickly doubled their lead just 91 seconds into the second period. Foegele, a former Oiler, found the net on his own rebound after Pickard made the initial save.
Perry got Edmonton on the board during a power play four minutes later, batting his own rebound into the net for his second postseason goal.
But the Kings weren’t done. Another Edmonton giveaway gave Fiala a breakaway, and he slipped the puck past Pickard for his third playoff goal, restoring a two-goal cushion. After two periods, the Kings led the shot count 28-15.
The Oilers kept fighting. Midway through the third, Bouchard fired a shot that deflected off Kings defender Drew Doughty’s skate and into the net, cutting the deficit to one.
With Pickard pulled for an extra attacker and time running out, Draisaitl fed Bouchard, who hammered home a slap shot to tie the game. It was Bouchard’s second goal of the night and his third of the series, making him just the fourth player in NHL history to score multiple goals in back-to-back playoff games.
Overtime belonged mostly to Kuemper, who made 17 saves in the extra frame before Draisaitl ended the battle during Edmonton’s late power play.
Game Notes: This series marks the fourth straight year Edmonton and Los Angeles have clashed in the opening round. Edmonton won in 2022 (seven games), 2023 (six games), and 2024 (five games). It’s a rare stretch in NHL history, matched only by rivalries like Canadiens-Bruins from 1984–1987. Since 2014, the Kings have missed the playoffs five times and failed to advance past the first round in the other five seasons. Edmonton’s only previous comeback from a 2-0 series deficit happened in 2006 against San Jose.
