Chaos continues to show up in different ways between these two teams. The Oilers evened up the best-of-7 series and took home ice advantage back after a come from behind 5-4 overtime victory in Game 4.
The Kings played their best period of the series to open Game 4, blitzing the Oilers with three goals. Beginning with return of the Kings top playmaker Kevin Fiala, the Swiss forward made his Kings playoff debut. After missing 13 regular season games and the first three games of the series, Fiala made his presence known immediately. After barely missing a highlight reel assist 30 seconds into his first shift, Fiala picked up the primary helper on the game's first goal with a pass of the pads to a streaking Gabriel Vilardi 9:25 into the game. Vilardi's second goal of the series extended his point streak to three games (2-1=3).
Viktor Arvidsson then doubled the Kings lead with 3:12 remaining in period, beautifully pirouetting his way around Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais upon entering the offensive zone and beat Stuart Skinner five hole for the highlight reel goal. With the goal, Arvidsson, who has been a thorn in the Oilers side all series long netted his first career playoff goal with the Kings after missing last year's first round. Just 1:23 later, Anze Kopitar gave the Kings a 3-0 lead with a power-play goal off of an amazing tip pass by Fiala. In tight, Kopitar made a beautiful move around Skinner for his team-leading sixth point (2-4=6).
Up 3-0, the Kings entered the second period with a familiar face newly in the Oilers net. Former King and fan favorite Jack Campbell replaced Stuart Skinner to begin the second period after allowing three goals on 11 shots. The switch in the opposition's net had an impact on the away team as the Oilers comeback quickly began. Just under five minutes into the second period, Evan Bouchard cut the Oilers deficit to 3-1 with a power-play goal, assisted by Leon Draisaitl. An Oilers push continued all period, outshooting the Kings 20-8. Draisaitl went on to score the game's next two goals, including tying the game 3-3 with 11 seconds remaining in the second period. The three point period gave Draisaitl a league-leading nine points (5-4=9) in the playoffs.
Like the Oilers did between the first and second period, the Kings reset and came out flying for the final 20 minutes of regulation. Playing practically a perfect first 17 minutes, the Kings retook the lead when Matt Roy received an Arvidsson pass in the slot and deposited his first career playoff goal with 15 minutes to go in the game. Stifling the Oilers for much of the third period, the Kings held the lead late into the game. With just 3:02 remaining in regulation Connor McDavid weaved his way through the black jerseys upon entering the Kings defensive zone and set up Evander Kane for a shot that beat Joonas Korpisalo glove side to tie the game. For a the third time in four games this series the teams were tied after 60 minutes and went to overtime.
After the Kings won Games 1 and 3 in extra time, it was the Oilers who got the last laugh this time. After killing off an Oilers power play 6:26 into the sudden death period, the Kings were unable to extend the series lead to 3-1. With 9:21 to go in the first overtime, Zach Hyman took a stretch pass from Bouchard and tied the series with a wrist shot that beat Korpisalo between the blocker and his body.
Korpisalo stopped 37 shots on 42 attempts.
4/23 GAME 4 FINAL - Kings 4, Oilers 5 (OT)
LAK Recap: Arvidsson has 2 points in Game 4 OT loss
