***Playoffs Round 1, Game 1 GDT Oilers vs. Kings 4/21/25 7:00pm on ESPN2 & FanDuel***

[Statue4Deano]

For the rest of the series do you see Edmundson getting any better at keeping up with the speed of the Oilers? Yeah, me neither.

The Kings team defensive concept doesn’t really require d men who can keep up with speedy forwards. The d men are meant to push everything to the outside so the wingers can come down and shadow the attacking forwards. This is what happened for the first 2 periods. Oilers had no room to operate in the Kings zone. They couldn’t connect two passes.

So Edmundson just needs to stay on this damn feet and use his big ass frame to clear the front of the net plus lay the body behind the net along the boards. That’s the whole reason he was signed. He didn’t do that in the 3rd period last night.

 

[Rog or Reg?]

Arvy holding the stick of one of the Kings against his body to draw a holding penalty should result in a penalty to the player who holds the stick, or should be a no call.

 

[hokiecat]

I feel like this series is going 7. If it wasn't for Skinner, the Oilers would be up 1-0. The Kings still lose their composure when 97 and 29 are on the ice together. McDavid is so able to impose his will on the game that it isn't even funny. I no longer have a good feeling even though we are up 1 game to zero.

 

[Nyssa42]

Especially since the ref was LITERALLY STARING RIGHT AT IT!

this was the most infuriating of the calls/non-calls!! I sit right where I could see the whole thing plain as day up in the 300s - how could the ref not see it when he was like 4 feet away?!?

 

[Rog or Reg?]

Arvy holding the stick of one of the Kings against his body to draw a holding penalty should result in a penalty to the player who holds the stick, or should be a no call. What is the defender supposed to do, drop his stick and become a bystander? BS penalty there too.

We could see Arvy holding Mikey's stick all the way up in the 300s.

 

[Rog or Reg?]

this was the most infuriating of the calls/non-calls!! I sit right where I could see the whole thing plain as day up in the 300s - how could the ref not see it when he was like 4 feet away?!?

And don't forget Perry's cross-check to Edmundson. Or McDickhead holding Kopi's stick. We could see ALL those calls from 318! Are the refs legally blind? Or were they just trying to keep the game close? Either way it's BS.

 

[symbology]

The Kings team defensive concept doesn’t really require d men who can keep up with speedy forwards. The d men are meant to push everything to the outside so the wingers can come down and shadow the attacking forwards. This is what happened for the first 2 periods. Oilers had no room to operate in the Kings zone. They couldn’t connect two passes.

So Edmundson just needs to stay on this damn feet and use his big ass frame to clear the front of the net plus lay the body behind the net along the boards. That’s the whole reason he was signed. He didn’t do that in the 3rd period last night.

For rush chances, sure you can try that. Anderson did a great job letting Conner fly right on by on the outside in last nights game. I would like to know what happens when it is an defensive zone faceoff and the oilers control it. How is Edmundson going to keep 'em wide then? Heck even Drew figured the best play was to just splash down on the ice. That was a big fail as well.

Edmundson did not do that last night in the 3rd because the Oilers put 97 and 29 together and they basically skated circles around him and the team. Sure, you can contain them at times, but to bet on doing that enough to win games is gutsy. This has been their recipe for the previous 3 years. He has to catch them before he can hit them.

Also, the Kings lucked out last night (after dealing with some bad luck), but Knoblauch put 97/29/2 back out there with a tie score and a few minutes left in the game. He must have figured they were hot and they would get it done. Problem is, Gavi caused a turnover and those guys had no gas in the tank to back check. That turned out to be a bad coaching move IMO.

 

[symbology]

I feel like this series is going 7. If it wasn't for Skinner, the Oilers would be up 1-0. The Kings still lose their composure when 97 and 29 are on the ice together. McDavid is so able to impose his will on the game that it isn't even funny. I no longer have a good feeling even though we are up 1 game to zero.

This^^^^ Though I think Skinner was not that bad and was no worse than Darcy. It was a very weird game offensively, that is for sure. I agree that when 97/29 are on the ice the Kings have no answer. They did not have an answer over the last 3 years, they do not have one now. The Kings can hang with them 5 on 5 (non Nuclear Option (97/29)) and seem to have improved on the special teams. However, once Knoblauch throws those two guys out there the Kings struggle.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Edmundson did not do that last night in the 3rd because the Oilers put 97 and 29 together and they basically skated circles around him and the team. Sure, you can contain them at times, but to bet on doing that enough to win games is gutsy. This has been their recipe for the previous 3 years. He has to catch them before he can hit them.

If the Oilers can play the majority of the rest of this series with McDavid and Draisaitl on the same line the Kings are toast because you’re 100% right. Nobody can stop them every shift.

The only way to force those two apart is by winning if not dominating shifts against the other Oilers lines. Last night Hiller wanted Danault against McDavid (58% of shifts) Kopi (21%) Byfield (20%). So that means Byfield and Fiala need to be better moving forward. Win those shifts and the Kings win series, imo.

 

[kingnut]

Arvy holding the stick of one of the Kings against his body to draw a holding penalty should result in a penalty to the player who holds the stick, or should be a no call. What is the defender supposed to do, drop his stick and become a bystander? BS penalty there too.

Yep. Saw it as if was going down. The ref was like 6 ft away. Sad.

 

[Bill Hicks]

3 shifts total for the 4th line in the 2nd period with a 2 goal lead is just crazy. Hiller did his d men no favors by overplaying his top 4. Edmundson and Doughty looked completely dead legged in the 3rd.

Exactly. Have to let the 4th line play and learn on the job. Wear on their D and limit the breakout options.
Either you trust them or you wear out your team by not.

 

[symbology]

If the Oilers can play the majority of the rest of this series with McDavid and Draisaitl on the same line the Kings are toast because you’re 100% right. Nobody can stop them every shift.

The only way to force those two apart is by winning if not dominating shifts against the other Oilers lines. Last night Hiller wanted Danault against McDavid (58% of shifts) Kopi (21%) Byfield (20%). So that means Byfield and Fiala need to be better moving forward. Win those shifts and the Kings win series, imo.

Yes, to have a chance for the Kings to win 3 of the next 6 games, they are going to need to keep up the strong play when they can. Try to win the special teams battle and try to find a way to control 97/29. They cannot play together and be double/triple shifted all game. It almost worked for them last night. Good thing the Kings built up a nice lead.

 

[symbology]

Exactly. Have to let the 4th line play and learn on the job. Wear on their D and limit the breakout options.
Either you trust them or you wear out your team by not.

I agree, but on a few icings those guys got hemmed in. No better time to let them play and grow than with a lead though.

 

[Rog or Reg?]

Here's my gameplan for tomorrow:

Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid.

Then do it again.

That is all.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Normal Perry behavior. Douchebag level = high

I really thought I could not despise Perry more but he’s the gift that keeps on giving in that regard.

 

[waynet]

Keumper needs to be better, Doughty needs to quit flopping. Better balance in time on ice, so Kings don't wilt in 3rd. Kings in 6.

 

[KingzLA]

L

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[SirJW]

Here's my gameplan for tomorrow:

Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid. Hit McDavid.

Then do it again.

That is all.

Don't forget to do the same to Draisaitl, he's hurt and you can see him fighting through the pain after every hit.

 

[symbology]

Don't forget to do the same to Draisaitl, he's hurt and you can see him fighting through the pain after every hit.

I noticed that as well.

 

[Rog or Reg?]

Don't forget to do the same to Draisaitl, he's hurt and you can see him fighting through the pain after every hit.

Yes, yes and yes.

Even up in rafters you could see Draisaitl was not 100%.