The Edmonton Oilers came out swinging in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, securing a dominant 7-4 victory at Rogers Place on Monday night. Zach Hyman led the charge with a hat-trick, while Connor McDavid set a playoff-record with five assists in the win.
The Oilers, who had struggled in Game 1 of their previous playoff series, came out strong and never looked back. Adam Henrique, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Warren Foegele also found the back of the net, with Evan Bouchard contributing four assists.
Despite goals from Mikey Anderson, Adrian Kempe, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Trevor Moore, the Kings were unable to keep up with the Oilers’ offensive onslaught. Los Angeles goalie Cam Talbot made 38 saves, but it wasn’t enough to stop Edmonton’s relentless attack.
After the game, veteran Kings defenseman Drew Doughty expressed frustration with his team’s performance but remained optimistic about their chances in Game 2. The Oilers, on the other hand, were thrilled with their strong start to the series and look to carry that momentum into the next game.
With the win, the Oilers now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 is set to take place on Wednesday night in Edmonton, where both teams will look to make adjustments and come out on top.