When the series is tied 2-2 going into Game 5, historically the team that wins has gone on to win the series 79% of the time. Fortunately for the Kings, after an epic 5-4 overtime win on Tuesday night, the numbers are now on their side.
The Kings struck early to quiet the Edmonton crowd when Troy Stecher scored his second goal in as many games since being inserted back into the lineup 3:53 into the game. Then, after an Edmonton goal early in the second period, the Kings reestablished their lead when Adrian Kempe scored his first career playoff goal midway into the middle stanza. Andreas Athanasiou then doubled the Kings lead on a beautiful feed from Dustin Brown, sending the Kings into the third period with a two goal lead.
Oilers Captain began the eventful third period with a power play goal 2:50 in, cutting the Kings lead to just one. Then, with 8:54 remaining in regulation, Phillip Danault and the Kings power play returned the favor, scoring their own goal on the man advantage. Chaos would then ensue as the Oilers went on to force overtime with two Leon Draisaitl goals, one shorthanded and one on the power play.
Responding to an Oilers pushback was the Kings yet again as Adrian Kempe wasted no time sending the Kings home with a 3-2 series lead. After the Trevor Moore-Phillip Danault-Carl Grundstrom line pinned the Oilers in their own zone to begin overtime, it took just 1:12 for the Kings to win the game when Adrian Kempe took a neutral zone turnover and sliced his way into the offensive zone to beat Mike Smith with a backhand to forehand move.
Jonathan Quick stopped 24-of-28 shots to win his 25th career postseason road game, tying Tom Barrasso for the most all-time among American goaltenders. He also started his 90th consecutive postseason game for the Kings, surpassing Pekka Rinne for the fourth longest streak in NHL history.
5/10 FINAL - Kings 5, Oilers 4 (OT) (Game 5)
The Kings head home with a chance to win the series on home ice
Kempe nets 2, overtime winner in Kings Game 5 victory
