(2P) Oilers to (3P) Kings
10 p.m. ET; TBS, CBC, SN, TVAS, BSSC
Best-of-7 series tied, 1-1
The Los Angeles Kings look to build momentum against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
The best-of-7 series is tied 1-1 after two games in Edmonton, where the Kings won 4-3 in Game 1 and the Oilers won 6-0 in Game 2.
“Some of the veterans remembered the arena and what it meant to them during their [Stanley Cup] short [in 2012, 2014]how that sixth man in the stands with his enthusiasm and energy can help,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “But it’s always up to us to fix our game.
“We could play anywhere in the world tonight, and if we play the same [as Game 2], no matter who is watching or clapping. We have to be better all over the ice, and I believe we can be, and I believe we’ll get a big boost from a really passionate fan base. »
McLellan said the Kings will be looking for rebounds in multiple areas in Game 3.
“We were second in most areas the other night so I can’t pick one,” McLellan said.
The Oilers said they felt confident after winning by a wide margin in Game 2, but would be ready for the change of venue for Game 3.
“The home crowd can work with you, but they can work against you if you take unruly penalties and so on,” the Edmonton forward said. Zack Kassian mentioned. “But I think we handled that very well in the second [game].
“But we know as much as the Kings. They’re coming home and they’re excited to play in front of their fans and they’re going to have that extra jump in their step. We expect them to be more physical but we’re ready. We’re excited to start Game 3 here.
Here are 3 keys for game 3:
1. Something special
Los Angeles is going to have to upgrade special teams if it wants to stay in the series. He went 0-for-8 on the power play in the first two games and allowed one shorthanded goal. Edmonton was 2 for 4 on the power play in each of the first two games.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the LA Kings or anyone else, any of the others [31] teams playing against Edmonton… there is a central point in staying out of the penalty area because of their powerful power play,” McLellan said. “And some of the penalties we’ve absorbed have been in the offensive zone, which we don’t need to take.”
2. Be physical
The Oilers stepped up their physical game in Game 2 and took advantage of poor execution by the Kings to produce a lopsided victory. It will likely be harder for Edmonton to replicate that on the road, but the series is trending in that direction.
Ninety-four hits were recorded in Game 2, 48 by the Oilers. By comparison, there were 78 hits in Game 1, 40 by Edmonton.
“You want to take on every team physically, make it a tough night for their D-men, look to the pucks in return, knowing they’re going to be finished,” the Oilers center said. Ryan Nugent Hopkins mentioned.
3. Change schedules
Can the Kings take advantage of the latest change in Games 3 and 4? In Game 1 and for much of Game 2 until the score got out of hand, Edmonton’s top two centers, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitlusually faced veteran centers in Los Angeles Anze Kopitar and Philippe Danault.
McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring champion with a League career-high 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 80 games and Draisaitl was fourth in the scoring race with a league-high career-high 110 NHL points (an NHL career-high 55 goals, 55 assists) in 80 games. But the Kings game worked well in Game 1. McDavid had two points (one goal, one assist) and Draisaitl had one goal in that game, but Los Angeles scored three goals from Danault’s line, one each by Danault, Trevor Moore and Alex Iafallo.
Coach Jay Woodcroft said the Oilers will focus primarily on their own pace.
“The most important thing for us is that we understand that we operate in a dynamic environment, not a static environment,” Woodcroft said. “The perfect plan is never executed. The other team also does good things. We expect problems. But we know we have the people in our room to be able to overcome whatever is thrown at us.”
Oilers projected roster
Evander Kane — Connor McDavid — Jesse Puljujarvi
Zach Hyman — Leon Draisaitl — Kailer Yamamoto
Josh Archibald –Ryan Nugent Hopkins– Derek Ryan
Warren Foegele — Ryan McLeod –Zack Kassian
Nurse Darnell — Cody Ceci
Duncan Keith — Evan Bouchard
Brett Kulak — Tyson Barrie
mike smith
Mikko Koskinen
Striped: Kris Russell, Devin Shore, Derick Brassard, Olivier Rodrigue, Philip Broberg
Injured: Nothing
Projected lineup of the Kings
Andreas Athanasiou — Anze Kopitar — Adrian Kempe
Alex Iafallo — Phillip Danault — Trevor Moore
Carl Grundstrom — Blake Lizotte — Dustin Brown
Brendan Lemieux — Rasmus Kupari — Arthur Kaliev
Alexander Edler — matt roy
Mikey Anderson — Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta — Jordan Spence
jonathan quick
Cal Peterson
Striped: Tobias Bjornfot, Gabriel Vilardi, lias andersson, Troy Stecher, Quinton Byfield, Jacob Moverare, Austin Beach
Injured: Viktor Arvidson (lower body), Drew Doughty (wrist), Sean Walker (knee)
Status report
The Oilers are expected to dress in the same formation they used in a 6-0 Game 2 win on Wednesday. … Broberg, a defenseman, was recalled from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Friday. … Kupari is set to make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, replacing Byfield on the fourth line. … Arvidsson, a striker, will miss his third game in a row.
NHL.com Independent Correspondent Dan Greenspan contributed to this report
