Edmonton Oilers fall 4-3 in Game 1 against Kings – Edmonton

The Los Angeles Kings hit Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers with a 4-3 win Monday night at Rogers Place.

Despite the frenzied crowd, the Oilers continued early.

“It was hitting there, and possibly due to a bug, we ran all over the place and was able to get out of our structure a little bit because it was so fit,” Oilers netminder Mike Smith said after the game.

They had to take an early penalty for Kailer Yamamoto as the Kings had a 7-0 advantage in shots on target in the first three and a half minutes.

“It’s a long streak and a long playoff if you want to get where we want to be,” Smith said.

“No one would have thought that we had won 16 in a row. So I think it’s some kind of early adversity, but it’s something we haven’t faced and I’m sure we’ll have to deal with it again along the way. ”

The Kings took the lead with nine hours left on the first goal when Trevor Moore hit a shot just below the crossbar. Moore played the set-up late in the first game, finding Alex Iafallo with a backdoor pass to make it 2-0.

Connor McDavid gave the Oilers life in the last minute of the first season. He shined on the right flank, cut across the middle, and then swooped down the back of Kings goalkeeper Jonathan Quick.

“I think we worked our way up and found a way to be competitive, and in the end it went wrong in the third inning and they capitalized on it,” said Oilers head coach Jay. Woodcroft said.

“We made some mistakes that we haven’t made in over two months. There are definitely areas we can clean up.”

Early in the second game, Yamamoto scored his first career playoff goal. He tipped home a slapping pass from Duncan Keith for a power play goal.

“He’s had a hard time getting the test, getting his money back and doing some big plays,” McDavid said of Yamamoto.

“He obviously scored a big goal and finished the whole game tonight.”

“He won a lot of battles and went to tough areas,” Woodcroft said of Yamamoto.

“He gives what he gives and he’s a good player for us.”

The Kings regained a 1:11 lead later when Brendan Lemieux’s shot caused Smith to dodge. Edmonton striker Leon Draisaitl found himself alone at the front and snapped a shot home in the power game. The score is 3-3 behind the two.

“Our power play has kept us in it,” McDavid said.

In the third inning, Smith made a diving save after throwing the ball ahead of his net. The Kings kept the ball alive and Philip Danault scored in a deflected 5:14 left.

“I’m just trying to make something happen and obviously trying to do too much of it there,” Smith said. “In a tight game like this, you can’t make mistakes like that, and we ended up paying with the game.

“I’m obviously disappointed, but it’s a game and we go ahead and worry about Game 2.”

“There are other things in that play that I think we could have handled better,” Woodcroft said.

Finish fast with 36 saves. Smith made 31.

Game 2 will take place on Wednesday night. You can lijoin the game live on 630 CHED start with The Faceoff Show at 6 p.m. The real game starts at 8 p.m

–With files from Brenden Escott, 630 CHED

1:36
Edmonton Oilers playoff fever spreads in the capital area as Game 1 gets underway

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