EDMONTON, AB - California, here we come.
Centre Nick Bjugstad recorded his first-career multi-goal playoff game, including the game-winner on a deflection during the second period, as the Edmonton Oilers earned the 6-3 victory in Game 5 at Rogers Place on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings heading into Saturday's pivotal Game 6 at Crypto.com Arena.
"We're not spending a lot of time in the penalty box like we were in the first few games of the series, and that's totally different," defenceman Brett Kulak said. "You're working your whole lineup, everyone's involved in the game, and everyone's legs are fresh, so it changes the dynamic of the game."
Evander Kane, Leon Draisaitl, Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman rounded out the scoring for Edmonton, while all three of Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse had a pair of assists in the victory that saw 13 separate Oilers record points.
"That's why we're a good team, because we have so many guys that can put the puck in the net and create chances and goals for us," Draisaitl said. "It's great seeing those guys get on the board and just keep going."
Goaltender Stuart Skinner returned to the Oilers crease after being relieved by Jack Campbell to begin the second period of Edmonton's comeback victory in Game 4, making 25 saves on 28 shots on Tuesday in what was a steady bounce-back performance for the 23-year-old Calder Trophy candidate.
"That's what we expected. This is what we expected," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said of his netminder. "That's the Stuart Skinner I've come to know over my time coaching him in the American League and in the NHL, and he played a good game and gave us a chance to win this game tonight."
After a three-day break in between action, the Oilers will look to close out the series in Game 6 on Saturday night back in Los Angeles.
"They're going to come out hard with their backs are against the wall, so it's going to be a tight-checking game," Draisaitl said. "We just have to make sure we're ready for that."
GAME RECAP: Oilers 6, Kings 3 (Game 5)
The Oilers take the lead 3-2 in the series after Bjugstad scored twice and Skinner made 25 saves in Tuesday's 6-3 victory over the Kings in Game 5 at Rogers Place
![DEV_2599](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_auto/prd/ndn5dhyq8plaz8ayicyr.jpg)
![DEV_2517](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_auto/prd/h27zsda4w1h2ozfksosz.jpg)
LAK@EDM, Gm5: Kane gives Oilers a 1-0 lead with a PPG
LAK@EDM, Gm5: Draisaitl, McDavid combine for a goal
POST-RAW | Leon Draisaitl 04.25.23
POST-RAW | Brett Kulak 04.25.23
LAK@EDM, Gm5: Kulak puts Oilers ahead 3-1 in the 1st
LAK@EDM, Gm5: Hyman scores deflection PPG in the 2nd
POST-RAW | Zach Hyman 04.25.23
LAK@EDM, Gm5: Bjugstad scores his second goal of game
POST-RAW | Nick Bjugstad, Stuart Skinner 04.25.23
POST-RAW | Jay Woodcroft 04.25.23