Game 4 of the Los Angeles/Edmonton round 1 was a heart-stopping, high intensity and entertaining game with a lot on the line for the Oilers. They found themselves down 2-0 and 3-1 and outshot by the Kings 28-15 after the second period. This is not an unusual situation for the Oilers as they have been down two or three goals in several other games in this series. With their backs to the walls, someone or some trigger has ignited them wake up and play like a playoff team on a mission to win the Stanely Cup.
One of those individuals has been the 39 -year-old Corey Perry. He has played in 219 NHL playoff games with 56 goals and 130 points. He has won numerous trophies including the Maurice Richard Trophy and Hart Trophy in 2011, as well as the Stanely Cup in 2007 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. He has also won two Olympic gold medals in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014 for Team Canada. Lastly, he has appeared in three IIHF World Championships (2010, 2012, 2016) winning gold in 2016. Thus, an amazing career before joining the Oilers in 2023.
Outstanding Oilers performances in 4 playoff games versus the Kings
Perry has had key points in two of the four games in round 1 against the Kings. He looks like the player he was in the 2005-06 playoffs when his then Anaheim Ducks took the Oilers to five games to only lose the series 4-1. During that playoff year he had 15 points in 21 games to prove his worth. Now, in the 2024-25 playoffs, almost 20 years later, he has three points in four games with more to come.
He had been amazing player for the Oilers during the regular season with 19 goals and 30 points playing mostly on the third or fourth line. His efforts have been rewarded in the playoffs with significant ice time as a component of the Oilers' powerplay and one of the key reasons why their powerplay is back on track at 40 percent after game 4. I think he had an electrifying performance in game 4 winning many battles, scoring once and being instrumental in the overtime goal by Leon Draisaitl. He has had amazing net front presence, tenacity in holding his position and high hockey IQ and hands to make smart plays. His performances and work ethic has no doubt inspired the team and the fans to believe again in this team.
“One of the smartest players to play the game”
During his post-Game 4 interview Perry said: “Nothing is ever easy” and we have “big guys making big plays” and he “takes pride in winning battles”. Draisaitl commented that Perry is ”one of the smartest hockey players I have met…so unique and impressed by how he think’s the game and, honestly, I think he can play until his is 50”. Other teammates have similar comments about Perry and the fans can see these comments show themselves on the ice.
In the next few games, I am sure Perry will be a leader and inspiration to the rest of the team again as they attempt to close out this hard fought series against the Kings. Since game 3, the Oilers have been rolling with four lines, their penalty kill and powerplay has improved. Finally, the defense and forwards have provided protection for their goaltender by blocking shots, cutting off shooting lanes, pushing the Kings forwards to the outside and wearing the Kings players down by massive hits.
Besides Perry, players like Mattias Janmark, Evander Kane, John Klingberg and Trent Frederic have stepped up their game, as well as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. The Oilers are playing with desire and purpose, demonstrating to the NHL and the Kings that they are no pushovers and can flip the switch to win. That said, we as fans, wish that their last-minute or seconds heroics is not going to happy every game but that they can play with leads and not play catch up hockey.
Game 5 will be another huge contest for the Oilers and an uphill battle as the Kings are 33-6-4 at home, includes the two wins in Games 1 and 2. It will be a tough win, but Perry is ready for the battle like the rest of the team. I think we finally see the Oilers believe in themselves and have confidence in their ability to compete and hopefully bring the series back to Edmonton with a lead. Be inspired by the play of Perry and other members of the Oilers as they pursue the quest for the Stanley Cup.