Game 1 of the fourth straight edition of Kings-Oilers in the NHL’s postseason turned out to be an instant classic with an insane finish. Los Angeles kicked off their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with some early and late fireworks, holding off the Edmonton Oilers 6–5 in a thriller at Crypto.com Arena.
What started as a seemingly comfortable night with a 4–0 lead nearing second intermission, turned into a nerve-wracking finish for fans watching in the building and on TV at home, yet the Kings ultimately walked away with a crucial series-opening victory.
Andrei Kuzmenko made his playoff debut one to remember, notching a goal and two assists for a three-point night. He wasted no time making his mark in the postseason, scoring on the opening power play to give the Kings a 1–0 lead. In an odd footnote, his first NHL goal came against the Oilers and now his first playoff goal has been recorded against the same team, as well.
Adrian Kempe matched Kuzmenko’s output, also tallying a goal and two helpers, continuing his recent dominance against Edmonton. Maintaining his better than a point-per-game pace, Kempe leads the Kings in scoring over their last three playoff series vs. the Oilers.
Special teams proved to be a difference-maker for coach Jim Hiller’s squad, as they smashed through last year’s 0-for-12 power play record in the postseason. Monday night, the Kings went 2-for-5 with the man advantage and a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. That edge played a pivotal role in a back-and-forth contest where every momentum shift counted.
Holding a 5–3 lead late in the third period, the Kings looked poised to cruise to victory — but the Oilers had other plans. Edmonton pulled their goalie early and scored twice with the extra attacker, tying the game with under a minute and a half remaining in regulation. Just when it looked like momentum had fully shifted, Phillip Danault came through in the clutch. The Kings center netted the game-winning goal only 39 seconds after the Oilers’ equalizer, sealing a wild finish and giving LA a 1–0 series lead.
Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala each added a goal and an assist in Game 1.
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