The Oilers are now 1-2 when harmonicas are used for the American anthem.

Edmonton came out of the gate with the same energy they finished Sunday night with. Kuzmenko would take the first penalty after tripping Zach Hyman, who was slow to get up – hopefully no longer term problems there. The Kings were able to just barely stave off the powerplay unit, but the Oilers maintained momentum – that is, until Kane blew a tire.

Deep in LA’s end Evander Kane’s blade flew out of his boot and he was caught out in no man’s land. As he tried to skate back to the bench, LA regained possesion; after some back and forth (and some interference against Edmonton) a two on one breakaway came flying towards Calvin Pickard. Pickard was knocked down and out by his own sliding defenceman, but Adrian Kempe somehow didn’t get a shot off on the empty net.

Janmark took a roughing penalty after he pushed a Kings player straight through their goaltender. On the one hand, the Oilers had momentum and Kuemper was already rattled – roughing him up can’t be the worst thing for Edmonton; on the other hand… the Oilers had momentum; maybe it isn’t smart to take penalties when you’re up 10 shots to 0. Regardless, it didn’t matter – Edmonton killed the penalty with ease.

Unfortunately they wouldn’t kill the next one. Nurse went to the box on a tripping call and LA quickly converted to open scoring while being out shot three to one. Edmonton immediately had a chance to respond on the odd man advantage. LA managed to kill the penalty, but couldn’t get the puck out of the zone and Kane would tie the game after the ensuing scramble.

The next goal wouldn’t come for a full twenty minutes. A breakdown in LA’s defence in the neutral zone led to a rush opportunity – Podkolzin’s initial shot was batted wide, right into Janmark, who wasted no time to give Edmonton their first lead of the night.

Down a goal and with time ticking down, LA did what they do best: revert to playing the 1-3-1 trap. Eventually LA pulled the Kuemper in an attempt to score the equalizer. On an extended two minute play all eleven players on the ice were completely gassed and Nugent-Hopkins found the empty net insurance with an assist from Connor McDavid.

Edmonton out shot LA 46 to 21 to win the game 3-1.

A special note should be paid to Calvin Pickard; he has stepped up to the plate and then some to help dig Edmonton out of the hole they had dug themselves last week. He’s made timely saves which has allowed the defence and penalty kill to make aggressive plays.

On the other side, LA is regressing. Old habits are beginning to creep back, and cracks are beginning to show. LA had many chances to bury a shot from a cross-ice pass, but each time it seemed like the pass just couldn’t quite connect. If it weren’t for Kuemper playing his best game of the series this game could have easily been 6-1.

The Oilers and Kings are now heading back to Alberta where Connor McDavid and company will have a chance to finish the series and knock the LA Kings out of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.