LOS ANGELES, CA - The Oilers penalty kill woes continued on Monday as they surrendered four power-play goals to the Kings in a 6-3 defeat to open their four-game road trip.
It was penalties aplenty for both teams at Crypto.com Arena, but especially for the visitors who were dealt seven minors as opposed to six for the Kings. The Oilers have now surrendered 42 power-play goals against this season, which is tied for the most in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks.
"I think the refs got involved," Head coach Jay Woodcroft said after the game. "There were a lot of calls both ways and we went 0-for-6 on our power play and they scored four on their power play, four on seven. Obviously some of those penalties are within our control and our penalty kill.
"They moved the puck around well so give them a little bit of credit, but our penalty kill can be a lot sharper and we ended up on the wrong side of the special teams battle. I thought that was the difference in the game."
The Vancouver Canucks have the lowest PK percentage in the league at 68.1, but after Monday's matchup the Oilers aren't too far ahead at 72.7, ranking 27th overall.
To make matters worse, Edmonton's PP -- one of the team's biggest strengths -- was held off the score sheet, though Kailer Yamamoto's first-period goal came just after a Kings penalty expired.
GAME RECAP: Kings 6, Oilers 3
A penalty-filled affair results in four PPGs for the home side and none for the visitors as Edmonton opens its road trip with a divisional defeat
© Andrew Bernstein/Getty Images
© Andrew Bernstein/Getty Images