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Kings players celebrate a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Sean Durzi, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane battle during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Trevor Moore, left, celebrates a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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From left, the Kings’ Trevor Moore, Matt Roy and Alex Iafallo celebrate a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Blake Lizotte, right, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto rough it up during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, left, battles against the Kings’ Anze Kopitar during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Kings players celebrate a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Tyson Barrie skates ahead of the Kings’ Carl Grundstrom during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Andreas Athanasiou, right, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse battle during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Alex Iafallo (19) is taken down by the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard, center, and goaltender Mike Smith defend against the Kings’ Carl Grundstrom during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith makes a save as the Kings’ Andreas Athanasiou, right, looks on during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Sean Durzi controls the puck as the Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane stays on his heels during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, right, hits the Kings’ Andreas Athanasiou during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, left, and goaltender Mike Smith defend against the Kings’ Anze Kopitar during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Anze Kopitar (11) has his shot stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith, left, as Darnell Nurse defends during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Cody Ceci, left, battles against the Kings’ Andreas Athanasiou during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith makes a save as the Kings’ Trevor Moore looks on during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Blake Lizotte (46) and the Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard, right, scuffle during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Blake Lizotte (46) is tripped up by the Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard, right, during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid celebrates a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, celebrates a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, center, celebrates a goal during the first period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Matt Roy, top, checks the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Phillip Danault, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto battle for the puck during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Kings goalie Jonathan Quick is scored on by the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto, right, during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Kings goalie Jonathan Quick looks on as the Edmonton Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto, right, celebrates a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Kings goalie Jonathan Quick looks on as the Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, left, battles against the Kings’ Anze Kopitar and goaltender Jonathan Quick during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Blake Lizotte, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Derek Ryan battle during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Brendan Lemieux, right, celebrates a goal as he skates back to the bench during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman controls the puck as the Kings’ Olli Maatta defends during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, left, and the Kings’ Matt Roy battle during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Derek Ryan, left, battles against the Kings’ Sean Durzi during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, left, battles against the Kings’ Sean Durzi during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Mikey Anderson, right, skates by as the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl celebrates a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Kings on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates with the pucks as the Kings’ Andreas Athanasiou (22) and Anze Kopitar (11) defend during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman (18) battles against Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman, right, skates against the Kings’ Matt Roy during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid controls the puck as the Kings’ Alexander Edler pursues during the second period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse, left, protests a penalty as the Kings’ Trevor Moore looks on during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse battle for the puck during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith makes a save against the Kings’ Phillip Danault, left, during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. Danault went on to score what proved to be the decisive goal in the Kings’ 4-3 win. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Phillip Danault (24) scores a go-ahead goal past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Phillip Danault celebrates his go-ahead goal against goaltender Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith late in the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Canada. The Kings held on for a 4-3 win. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings’ Phillip Danault (24) celebrates his go-ahead goal with Sean Durzi (50), Trevor Moore (12), Alex Iafallo (19) and Mikey Anderson (44) during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The Kings celebrate a goal as Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith looks on during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings’ Alexander Edler, left, and the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl battle for the puck during the third period of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Kings celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. Game 2 is Wednesday night. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Fans cheer before Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Fans cheer before Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Fans cheer before Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kings headed to Canada as underdogs and stole Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night, edging the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3, on a goal from Phillip Danault with 5:14 left to grab home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series.
If that script seems familiar, it might be because a decade ago the Kings had a similarly auspicious start in Vancouver. They clinched in Game 81 (this year they did so in Game 80) and then stormed the postseason en route to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title. In that first round, they overcame the preternatural chemistry of the Sedin twins. This time, they’re confronted with the most prolific forward tandem in the NHL, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Despite the extensive postseason duty of Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, the Kings were the least-experienced team in this year’s playoffs and featured eight skaters and a backup goalie making their postseason debuts.
Regular-season team MVP Danault added an assist to his game-winner. Winger Trevor Moore and linemate du jour Alex Iafallo combined for five points, and winger Brendan Lemieux also scored a goal. Jonathan Quick stood his ground with 36 saves as the Kings earned their first postseason win since 2016.
Winger Viktor Arvidsson missed the game, Sunday’s practice and most of Saturday’s skate for an undisclosed reason, but he has not been ruled out for Game 2.
McDavid and winger Kailer Yamamoto had a goal and an assist apiece, while Draisaitl contributed a goal. Mike Smith stopped 31 shots for an Oilers team that has now lost seven consecutive playoff games.
“For the most part, we were able to check. We got excellent goaltending, as we expected, and we were opportunistic,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “We played in our skin, we played to our identity, it was just a carbon copy of how we’ve done it.”
With just over five minutes left, the Kings nearly scored twice before finally finding the net to take a 4-3 lead. Smith turned the puck over to Iafallo in the slot, but Smith dove to deny Iafallo’s shot at the open net before Danault sent the rebound over the cage. But the Kings regrouped and patiently moved the puck high to defenseman Sean Durzi, whose shot was deflected in by Danault.
In addition to scoring the winner and assisting on another of the three goals his line produced, Danault shouldered a heavy defensive responsibility in a game in which Edmonton’s two stars logged a combined 48 minutes.
“It’s what I live for, it’s my fuel, that’s my job, I want to be part of those big moments,” Danault said.
Even though the score was tied at the second intermission and overall possession numbers were almost dead even, the second period belonged to Edmonton. The hosts out-shot the Kings 16-4 and earned three power plays, during which they scored twice.
Midway through the game, the Oilers found another equalizer when, during a power play, a cross-ice pass hit a broken stick in the slot and drifted to Draisaitl. He picked his spot and beat an aggressively challenging Quick to the far side.
After handing back a two-goal edge, it had taken the Kings just over a minute to reclaim the lead. Winger Adrian Kempe collected a loose puck in the slot and zoomed ahead, backing up Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse before leaving a drop pass for Lemieux, whose wrist shot connected through a screen by defenseman Matt Roy.
Edmonton went to the power play early in the second period, where it had failed to score in all four regular-season meetings with the Kings despite having one of the NHL’s top units. It appeared as though the Kings would remain unblemished when Quick leaned, leaped and then lunged to deny Draisaitl’s threatening bid.
But as the man-advantage opportunity was about to conclude, former Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith teed up a shot-pass that found the stick of Yamamoto for a redirection goal 2:39 into the period.
Though the Kings dominated stretches of the first period and mounted a 2-0 lead, they could not suppress the NHL’s fastest and fiercest talent for the full 20 minutes, especially once he got a favorable line matchup. In the final minute of the frame, McDavid scored the goal of the night, if not the playoffs, using his blazing speed unconventionally and finishing with a snipe. He skated back toward his own goal before covering three-quarters of the ice and scorching four defenders en route to a short-side goal.
“You know those guys are gonna have pushes, they’re two of the best players in the world,” Moore said. “They’re going to have their moments and I thought Quickie made big saves when we needed them.”
The series’ first goals came from Moore and Iafallo, with Iafallo assisting in Moore’s goal 11 minutes into the game and Moore setting up Iafallo’s tally 5:48 later.
First, the Thousand Oaks native had a brilliant shift from start to finish. He angled McDavid into giving up the puck, then he battled McDavid along the boards and took the puck off him before initiating transition. Moore’s dump-in and pursuit allowed the Kings to establish a possession that culminated in him rifling a rising shot from the slot past Smith.
Then it was Iafallo collecting a puck in the defensive zone and flipping it in to ignite a forechecking sequence that concluded when Moore turned the puck from below the goal line to the side of the net where Iafallo hammered it home.
“Al was huge for us tonight. He can fit anywhere,” Danault said. “He’s working the right way, he’s good defensively, so, he’s a good two-way player and he stepped up for us tonight.”
Game 2 is Wednesday night before the series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.
What a strange sequence of events, ending with a @SeanDurzi goal!
We have the lead!#GKG #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/bUxqUNeTda
— x – LA Kings (@LAKings) May 3, 2022
Danault talks with the media following the game 1 win#GoKingsGo | @LAKings pic.twitter.com/ieOVvCPMLX
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 3, 2022
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 3, 2022
Mr. Thousand Oaks talks with the media postgame#GoKingsGo | @LAKings pic.twitter.com/IoR0YNda1T
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 3, 2022
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