The Edmonton Oilers are intimately familiar with the Los Angeles Kings’ defensive structure, having gone up against it in two previous first-round series. They know the Kings’ primary aim is to slow down their high-speed attack.
On Monday, the Oilers took it right to the Kings in their playoff-opening 7-4 win, forcing the game to be played on their terms.
“I thought we played a really connected game,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid told reporters. “I thought all five guys were working together. Even if we had to dump it in, I thought we had good numbers on the forecheck. But ultimately, we didn’t have to dump it in all that much, because we were connected coming through (the neutral zone).”
The Kings make it extremely difficult to enter the offensive zone with possession, but the Oilers had no issues with that in Game 1, carrying in the puck 36 times. Los Angeles allowed an average of 31.4 carry-ins per game during the regular season, which ranked fourth in the NHL.
Seventeen of Edmonton’s 36 carry-ins (47.2 per cent) resulted in a shot on net — much higher than the 10.7 that Los Angeles gave up per game in the regular season. (The Kings allowed a shot on net on 34 per cent of opposing carry-ins over 82 games.)
“The rushes were just too many,” Kings defenceman Drew Doughty told reporters. “We’re letting their top guys get way too much speed and just go through the neutral zone like it’s nothing. It’s tough on the ‘D’ when those guys are flying.”
Zach Hyman, who led the league in inner-slot shots on net (2.01 per game) and inner-slot goals (45), feasted on the Kings around the blue paint Monday. He scored all three of his goals from the inner slot on six shots from that area of the ice. No other player had more than four inner-slot shots in a game against Los Angeles this season.
By comparison, Hyman had three total inner-slot shots in four regular-season games against the Kings. His line with McDavid and Adam Henrique was responsible for all three of the Oilers’ 5-on-5 goals in Game 1.
“You want to exert your style and (play) the game in the flow that you want it in,” Hyman told reporters. “You’re not happy if they’re imposing their will on you. It’s not a great feeling.”
The Kings had that feeling Monday night after an uncharacteristic performance, which included going a ghastly 1-for-4 on the penalty kill. They will be highly motivated Wednesday, but perhaps the Oilers simply have their number.
All stats via Sportlogiq