LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Fiala notched his 30th goal of the campaign, Darcy Kuemper recorded 27 stops en route to securing his fifth shutout this season, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 3-0 on Saturday. Following their victory, they learned shortly after that Vegas had triumphed over Calgary, sealing their place in the playoffs.
Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor Lewis also found their names on the scoresheet.
Los Angeles stayed three points shy of the Pacific Division leader, Vegas, which secured a 3-2 victory in overtime against Calgary as the final match of the evening. They also maintain a four-point lead over third-place Edmonton.
Calvin Pickard made 26 saves for the Oilers, who were riding a three-game winning streak.
It was Edmonton’s first game since their center
Leon Draisaitl had a lower-body injury.
Against San Jose on Thursday, which will sideline the 50-goal scorer for the near future. Draisaitl is anticipated to come back before the playoffs start on April 19.
Following a scoreless opening frame, Fiala gave the Kings an unassailable lead later in the second period by capitalizing on a rebound from a shot taken by Alex Laferriere.
Takeaways
The Oilers welcomed Trent Frederic for his first game with the team in Edmonton. He was brought over from Boston as part of a multi-team deal on March 4 but has been out due to an ankle injury.
The trio consisting of Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Kuzmenko has amassed 17 goals and 22 assists in the 16 games following Kuzmenko’s arrival, which was secured using a 2027 third-round draft pick.
Key moment
What looked to be the first career goal for AHL workman Jeff Malott early in the second was overturned because of an Edmonton coach’s challenge. However, the electric offensive play sparked the Kings to take charge of the game.
Key stat
Fiala and Kempe are the first pair of Kings to each score 30 goals in a season since Kopitar and Dustin Brown in 2007-08.
Up next
On Monday night, both teams take the ice. The Oilers travel to face Anaheim, while the Kings welcome Seattle to their home arena.
___
AP NHL:
https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
