3 things Oilers must fix to take control of series against Kings in Game 5

The Edmonton Oilers successfully defended home ice with back-to-back wins in Games 3 and 4, pulling even with the Los Angeles Kings in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series. Now, the series pivots to a crucial Game 5 in Los Angeles, with both teams locked in what has effectively become a best-of-three showdown. The Oilers’ ability to adjust on the road will be critical, as the Kings boast one of the strongest home records in the NHL this season.

Although Edmonton’s offensive surge helped them regain momentum, several underlying issues still pose significant threats heading into Game 5. If the Oilers are to break through in Los Angeles and tilt the series in their favor, they must address the recurring flaws that have consistently undermined their performance throughout the first round.

1) Falling Behind

Establishing control early will be critical if the Edmonton Oilers hope to secure a pivotal Game 5 victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Through the first four games of the series, Edmonton has repeatedly fallen behind, putting unnecessary pressure on their offense to chase the game. Against a disciplined and defensively sound Kings team, allowing an early deficit is a dangerous recipe. The Oilers must set the tone in the opening period, playing with urgency and precision to avoid giving Los Angeles any momentum in front of their home crowd.

While Edmonton’s high-powered offense has shown the ability to erase deficits quickly, relying on late-game heroics is not a sustainable path to series success. Converting early opportunities in the offensive zone and limiting turnovers will be critical in Game 5. The Oilers' stars—Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman—must capitalize on chances and apply consistent pressure to keep the Kings' defense on their heels. If Edmonton can execute a more complete and disciplined game from the opening puck drop, they will put themselves in prime position to take control of the series.

2) Darnell Nurse

The absence of defenseman Mattias Ekholm is being felt heavily by the Edmonton Oilers in their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings. Ekholm’s steady presence and ability to stabilize the blue line have been sorely missed, leaving the Oilers scrambling for defensive consistency. Without their anchor, Edmonton has experimented with different pairings, but the results have been far from ideal. The lack of a true shutdown presence has exposed vulnerabilities, allowing the Kings to generate sustained pressure and capitalize on defensive breakdowns at critical moments.

Among the players under the spotlight is Darnell Nurse, whose struggles have become a major storyline this postseason. Whenever Nurse is on the ice, the Kings seem to find scoring opportunities, raising serious concerns about his defensive impact. While he continues to log heavy minutes, his lapses in positioning and decision-making have frequently cost the Oilers momentum and put additional strain on their goaltending. If Edmonton hopes to advance, Nurse must elevate his game, simplify his play, and find a way to provide stability on the back end instead of becoming a liability during high-stakes moments.

3) Odd-Man Rushes

One critical adjustment the Edmonton Oilers must make heading into Game 5 against the Los Angeles Kings is eliminating their vulnerability to odd-man rushes. Throughout the series, but especially in Game 4, the Oilers were repeatedly caught out of position, giving the Kings dangerous transition opportunities. Although Edmonton managed to limit the damage on the scoreboard at times, consistently allowing prime scoring chances is a recipe for disaster — particularly against a Kings team that thrives on quick counterattacks and structured offensive pressure.

To secure a pivotal Game 5 victory in Los Angeles, the Oilers must tighten their neutral zone coverage and be smarter with their pinches on the offensive blue line. Defensemen and forwards alike need to communicate better and show more discipline when managing the puck. Limiting odd-man rushes will not only ease the pressure on goaltender but will also allow Edmonton’s high-powered offense to dictate the pace of play, rather than constantly scrambling to recover defensively. Controlling these small but crucial details could ultimately determine whether the Oilers take control of the series or fall back into a dangerous hole.

Recent Posts