Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, front, during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Quinton Byfield, top center, and Adrian Kempe, right, celebrate a goal past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, and Anze Kopitar celebrate a goal by Kempe during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, right, defends against the Kings’ Phillip Danault during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais, right, battles against the Kings’ Trevor Lewis during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe (9), Quinton Byfield (55) and Anze Kopitar (11) celebrate a goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates with teammates Quinton Byfield (55) and Drew Doughty (8) among others after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) and Adam Henrique (19) battle against the Kings during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, left, and the Kings’ Trevor Moore, right, battle along the boards as they pursue the puck during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais defends against the Kings’ Trevor Moore during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Monday night in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Trevor Lewis, far left, skates past as the Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Brett Kulak celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, right, takes a hit from the Kings’ Blake Lizotte during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, right, skates the puck while being pursued by the Kings’ Quinton Byfield during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala, bottom, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan McLeod vie for the puck during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty (8) scores a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty, center, scores past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty, right, scores against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Kings and Edmonton Oilers players scramble for the puck during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala, right, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais race for the puck during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty laughs as the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, argues with an official about a no-goal call during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere, right, is checked by the Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere (78) and the Edmonton Oilers’ Cody Ceci reach for the puck during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) checks the Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry, right, during the first period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Dylan Holloway celebrates a goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Dylan Holloway (55) celebrates with Sam Carrick (39) after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Cody Ceci (5), Dylan Holloway (55), Sam Carrick (39) and Darnell Nurse (25) celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Andreas Englund, left, skates against the Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Janmark during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Kings goalie Cam Talbot makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan McLeod, right, during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Dylan Holloway, right, battles against the Kings’ Jordan Spence as they pursue the puck during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Corey Perry (90) battles against Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid compete for the puck during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, left, battles the Kings’ Alex Laferriere for the puck during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, and Zach Hyman celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard (2), Connor McDavid (97) and Zach Hyman (18) celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29), Evan Bouchard (2), Connor McDavid (97), Zach Hyman (18) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrate after Hyman’s goal during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Jordan Spence, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Dylan Holloway battle as they pursue the puck during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Janmark, left, collides with the Kings’ Mikey Anderson during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, left, battles against the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, left, defends against the Edmonton Oilers’ Warren Foegele during the second period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, right, battles against the Kings’ Pierre-Luc Dubois during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala, left, and Jordan Spence celebrate a goal during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Pierre-Luc Dubois (80), Kevin Fiala (22), Jordan Spence (21) and Andreas Englund (5) celebrate Fiala’s goal during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson (33) is denied by Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Brett Kulak vie for the puck during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a tying goal as the Kings’ Alex Laferriere, right, skates past during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Dylan Holloway celebrates his goal as he skates past the bench during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, front, falls to the ice as he skates after the puck during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais, left, battles against the Kings’ Anze Kopitar (11) during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, is stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, top, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse battle for the puck during the third period of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, right, battles against the Kings’ Kevin Fiala during the overtime portion of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Andreas Englund, left, checks the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman during the overtime portion of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, left, Quinton Byfield, center, and Anze Kopitar celebrate after Kopitar’s overtime goal in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Kings won, 5-4, to tie the series. Game 3 is Friday night in Los Angeles. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kings players storm the ice as they celebrate their 5-4 overtime victory in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, Alberta — In recent playoff history, Game 2’s haven’t been kind to the Kings – but they found a way to flip the script against the Edmonton Oilers this time.
After going 0-2 the past two years in Game 2’s against the Oilers, the Kings came out on the right side of a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory on Wednesday night at Rogers Place.
Captain Anze Kopitar scored the game-winning goal just 2:07 into overtime to help the Kings even the best-of-seven, first-round series at 1-1 before it shifts to Los Angeles for the next two games. Game 3 is Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Playing in his 94th postseason game to tie Luc Robitaille’s franchise record, Kopitar picked up the puck near the Edmonton blue line, moved in and shot from the slot as Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse dove to try to block the shot. Kopitar’s wrist shot soared into the top corner of the net above Stuart Skinner’s glove.
“Honestly, it was kind of a whacky play where Mikey (Anderson) throws it up the boards, and I think it was Q (Quentin Byfield) who tipped it, or was trying to tip it just to prevent the icing,” Kopitar said. “Next thing you know, I had it right on my stick, so I figured I’d make the most of it.”
“To see Kopi get that one at the end, great to see the goal go in, but I can tell you for me personally, and I’m sure the guys, just for a guy that’s done as much as he has, to get another overtime game-winning goal was special,” Kings interim coach Jim Hiller said. “One game for them, one game for us and now we go to L.A.”
Adrian Kempe scored twice in the first period for the Kings. Drew Doughty also connected, making it 3-1. Kevin Fiala scored in the third, and Cam Talbot made 27 saves.
Dylan Holloway scored twice for Edmonton, tying it at 4-all early in the third period. Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman also scored for the Oilers, and Skinner stopped 21 shots.
It was a huge bounce-back win for the Kings, who didn’t play close to their normal level of play in Game 1.
This one wasn’t pretty, as the Kings squandered leads of 3-1 and 4-3, but not many wins in the playoffs are, and after the Oilers had plenty of momentum after a dominant Game 1 win, the Kings have stolen home-ice advantage.
“It was good. It was a lot better game in terms of managing and making the right plays than we did in Game 1,” Kempe said. “We came out strong. Obviously, we scored a couple goals, which always helps.
“We’ve talked about it before in the playoffs. There’s usually ups and downs – within the series, within the games, so we just got to go about it every shift and try to make the most of it.”
The Kings jumped out to an early lead on Kempe’s second goal of the series. Kopitar picked off an outlet pass from Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard and fed a pass into the slot to Kempe, who made no mistake to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, just 3:19 into the game.
Kempe scored his second of the game with 5:03 remaining in the first period when he batted the puck out of mid-air on a hard pass from Kopitar.
“Everything happened so quick. Kopi threw a pass there, and I don’t know if it bounced off their D-man’s stick, and everything kind of just stopped through the air, and everything was slo-mo, so I just tried to whack it out of the air,” Kempe said.
“I think their goalie thought it was going to go far side, and it ended up going short-side, so it ended up working out well. It was a little bit of luck, but you deserve it sometimes.”
After Kulak’s goal cut the lead to 2-1, Doughty restored the Kings two-goal lead after they capitalized on a neutral zone turnover and Viktor Arvidsson sprung Doughty on a breakaway to score his first of the series.
The Oilers got goals from Hyman and Holloway in the second period to knot the score at 3-3, but the big turning point in the game came late in the second period when Talbot stoned Oilers sniper Leon Draisaitl three different times on an Edmonton power play.
His last save in the waning seconds of the period was arguably his biggest of the season.
“We talked after last game that our PK needed to be better and I said that it started with me and I was trying to do everything I could to keep the puck out of the net and not give them any momentum going into the third period,” Talbot said.
“They make so many good plays, they play with each other all the time, so I was just trying to stay patient and stay in front of the puck for two minutes there.”
In the third, Fiala’s shot from distance beat a screened Skinner just 1:46 into the third to give the Kings a 4-3 lead, but Holloway quickly tied the score again with his second goal of the night just 1:37 later.
Kings feeling healthy ahead of another playoff matchup against Edmonton
The Kings got away from their identity in their Game 1 loss. Their penalty kill gave up three goals, and they had far too many defensive breakdowns, but in Game 2, it was a different story.
The team’s penalty kill unit responded, only allowing one (Hyman’s goal), and as a group they made it much tougher on Edmonton to gain the offensive zone with speed and create chances off the rush.
Veterans like Kopitar and Doughty, veterans of the Kings teams that won Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014, led the way.
“They’re a big part of our team throughout the whole season,” Byfield said. “We all didn’t feel good about our first game, so we had a lot to prove this game and everyone stepped up their game and Kopi led the way.
“Leaders lead, and that’s what we did, we just followed him and it was a lot better.”
