Leon Draisaitl was unfazed when his Edmonton Oilers faced a three-goal deficit late in the first period of Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings.
Instead, Draisaitl and the Oilers were able to rally and post what could be their biggest win of the season.
Zach Hyman scored at 10:39 of overtime Sunday night as the Oilers rallied to beat the Kings 5-4 and evened their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
«I think all playoff games are great tests, but this one was huge for our group. I think we responded well,» said Draisaitl, who had two goals and one assist. «It’s not an easy team to come back against. We came back in waves in the second half and got in again.»
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Los Angeles Kings right wing Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates after scoring against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) and goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of a game game of the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoff series on Sunday. , April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Hyman’s quick shot from the left faceoff circle was his first goal of the playoffs. It was the first time since 1997 against Dallas that the Oilers came back to win a playoff game after trailing by three or more goals.
«It was a great breakout pass,» Hyman said of his first game-winning goal of the playoffs. «I was looking for a pass and it turned into a grade A scoring opportunity. I was able to pull it off and that’s the game. It’s probably the biggest goal of my career.»
Evan Bouchard had a goal and two assists, while Evander Kane forced overtime with his third-period goal. Connor McDavid had three assists.
The unsung hero, however, was goaltender Jack Campbell, who came on after Stuart Skinner was pulled after one period. Campbell made 27 saves against his former team and put himself in position to possibly start Game 5 Tuesday night in Edmonton.
Campbell’s biggest save came with five minutes left in regulation when he stopped Viktor Arvidsson on a breakaway that could have put the Kings up by two goals.
«You want to dig in and get the job done. Everybody in the room did that,» Campbell said. «It feels good to win tonight and move on.»
Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft said he thought about retiring Skinner earlier, but waited until halftime.
«I felt like our team needed a little change in momentum. Once we did that, it took off from there,» he said.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first round playoff series hockey game on Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
STAR TIE SERIES BEHIND TYLER SEGUIN’S TWO GOALS IN GAME 4 VS WILD
Arvidsson had a goal and an assist for the Kings, while Kevin Fiala had two assists in his first game since April 1. Gabriel Vilardi, Anze Kopitar and Matt Roy also scored for the Kings while Joonas Korpisalo stopped 35 shots. Phillip Danault also had two assists.
«We may be frustrated tonight, but tomorrow is a new day and we have to get ready for Game 5,» Kopitar said. «Obviously, the first period was really good, and the second period was not good, so there’s no secret to that. We’ll have to correct that in the future.»
Los Angeles dominated the first period and took a 3-0 lead to chase Skinner. Edmonton then took control in the second to tie it at 3, including two power play goals.
It was an even third period, as he went into overtime for the third time in the series.
«We lost the lead in the second half, but we lost it in overtime,» Kings coach Todd McLellan said. «The start for us was tremendous, it was something we haven’t had in the series. It’s been a strange series, the team that takes the lead takes their foot off the gas.»
Vilardi hit a rebound at 9:25 of the first half to open the scoring. Los Angeles then scored twice in a span of 84 seconds late in the period to extend their lead to 3-0.
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring during overtime of Game 4 of a Stanley Cup hockey first round playoff series hockey game of the NHL against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, April 23, 2023 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Bouchard started the comeback at 4:55 of the second with a slap shot from the wing on the power play. Draisaitl then equalized with a pair of goals, both wrist shots in front of the net.
Roy’s backhand in front of the net at 4:28 of the third put LA back on top 4-3 before Kane forced overtime with 3:02 remaining with a quick jumper to the other side.
TURNING ON
Edmonton had two power play goals and is 6-for-11 with the man advantage in the series.
HARD NIGHT FOR SKINNER
Skinner was removed at the first intermission after allowing three goals on 11 shots in the first 20 minutes.
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Edmonton’s rookie goaltender allowed a pair of goals in a span of 84 seconds late in the first period. Arvidsson put out five holes on a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle after placing the puck near the blue line and spinning past Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais.
Kopitar then defeated Skinner and scored a power play goal to put LA up 3-0.