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Edmonton Oilers Vs Los Angeles Kings: Game 1 Goal Breakdown

By Devon Hladunewich

Edmonton Oilers left winger Evander Kane (91) along with Oilers right winger Kailer Yamamoto (56) celebrate a goal on Los Angeles Kings goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Edmonton Oilers left winger Evander Kane (91) along with Oilers right winger Kailer Yamamoto (56) celebrate a goal on Los Angeles Kings goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last night the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in a fairly depressing way. The Edmonton Oilers held a two-goal lead twice in the game. They ended up blowing the lead when the Kings tied the game with under 20 seconds left in the game. The Kings then went on to win the game in overtime.

In the playoffs each goal for and against means so much more than it does in the regular season. For that reason I am going to take a look at each goal and see where there was a breakdown by the defence or if it was just good play by a player.

Edmonton Oilers 1- LA Kings 0

Leon Draisaitl for Mattias Janmark at 6:57 of the first period.

On this goal, Draisaitl starts off the play by getting the puck deep in the Kings zone. Kane takes the first defenceman out of the play with a hit. After a quick battle for the puck, Janmark gets the puck out and goes to play it to the front of the net.

Janmark’s pass goes off the skate of Edler’s skate and right into the wheelhouse of Draisaitl. Draisaitl makes no mistake and buries the wide-open look, as he usually does. There was virtually no chance for Joonas Korpisalo to make a save on that play.

Good Plays

  • Good job by Draisaitl getting the puck deep after being stopped just inside the blue line. He will sometimes try a low-percentage pass in that spot. Putting it deep is never a bad choice.
  • Evander Kane taking the body of the first man. If Kane plays the stick, the defenceman just pushes the puck back up the boards and out of harm’s way.
  • Janmark digging that puck out with precision was impressive. It also goes to show when you try and funnel the puck into a good spot good things can happen.
  • A wide-open Draisaitl is expected to score on that opportunity and he does.

Breakdowns

  • They got outworked by the Edmonton Oilers forwards in the puck battle which allowed them to get the puck in front and to a dangerous spot.
  • Someone should have been closer to Leon Draisaitl on that play. If the Kings want to have success in this series they can’t give either Draisaitl or McDavid any space.
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