One of the biggest storylines emerging from the Edmonton Oilers' playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings is the Oilers' ability to dominate the latter stages of games. While some of that is natural given the elite talent Edmonton has at its disposal, there’s a deeper reason behind their late-game goal surge: the Kings are simply running out of gas.
A closer look at the time on ice (TOI) and shift numbers from both teams tells the story. LA has been leaning far too heavily on their top players, shortening their bench to the point that by the third period, fatigue becomes a serious problem.
Take the Kings’ defense for example. In game 4, Joel Edmundson played 50 shifts and logged a grueling 36:16 of ice time, while Drew Doughty played 46 shifts at 32:57. Vladislav Gavrikov wasn't far behind with 42 shifts for 31:40. In contrast, depth options like Jacob Moverare and Samuel Helenius barely touched the ice, with each playing just three shifts and under three minutes total.
On forward lines, the story is much the same. Anže Kopitar, at 37 years old, is being asked to play 31 shifts and 25:33 of ice time, while Trevor Lewis (9 shifts, 5:19), Jeff Malott (5 shifts, 2:27), and Samuel Helenius (3 shifts, 1:44) are practically non-factors. This massive imbalance forces LA’s stars into heavy, relentless minutes. A risky strategy against an opponent like Edmonton that thrives on speed and execution late in games.
Meanwhile, the Oilers have managed their bench far more effectively. While top stars like Connor McDavid (35 shifts, 30:47) and Leon Draisaitl (32 shifts, 30:50) still play big minutes, Edmonton has gotten more out of its depth. Players like Corey Perry (27 shifts, 20:18), Adam Henrique (26 shifts, 20:17), and Evander Kane (29 shifts, 23:23) are contributing meaningful minutes. Even Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown, not exactly core offensive drivers, logged 18 and 24 shifts respectively.
The difference becomes even more glaring when you see the bottom of Edmonton’s lineup. Only Ty Emberson (12 shifts) and Vasily Podkolzin (14 shifts) saw limited usage, and even they were given far more trust than their Kings counterparts. This better distribution of workload keeps the Oilers' top players fresher for key moments late in games, while LA’s stars are often running on fumes.
The numbers don’t lie. It’s hard to expect even players like Doughty, Kopitar, and Danault, seasoned veterans though they are, to maintain a high level deep into a game when they’re essentially double-shifting all night. Especially when Edmonton's own top players, though used heavily, aren't carrying the entire load themselves.
In the playoffs, stamina and depth matter just as much as skill. The Kings’ decision to ride their top players into the ground might keep them in games early, but it’s playing right into Edmonton’s hands when it matters most.
Unless LA can find a way to trust their depth and balance their ice time more effectively, the Oilers will continue to take advantage and continue to pile up late-game goals as tired legs and mental lapses mount for the Kings.