Edmonton Oilers bounce back to secure Game 5 victory, leaving Kings perilously close to another playoff exit
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Kickin' it with Kaner and Janmark: 🏒🍿
Edmonton's Mattias Janmark proved to be a game-changer in Game 5 of the playoffs against the LA Kings. At 7:12 of the third period, he fired a winner past the Kings' net, giving the Oilers a 3-1 triumph and making their series lead 3-2 🏅🔥
Janmark's clutch goal was the second of the series for him and came after some magic from former King, Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson's shot was initially blocked by goalie Darcy Kuemper, but Janmark swooped in and scored off the rebound, stealing the victory just as it seemed they might slip through the Oilers' fingers 🙍♂️😰
Edmonton dominated the opening 20 minutes, amassing a whopping 19-4 shots on goal advantage, but duty-bound netminder Darcy Kuemper kept the Kings in the game, leaving the Oilers empty-handed after all that effort. 🥅😐
The Kings managed to open the scoring scant minutes into the second period, courtesy of Andrei Kuzmenko. Kuzmenko parked himself in the net and shrewdly redirected a pass from Anze Kopitar near the blue line. However, Edmonton's speedy comeback started shortly after when Evander Kane equalized on a powerful wrister from the high slot.
The Oilers edged ahead for good when Janmark slotted home a rebound from Arvidsson's shot that Kuemper had parried to the side without realizing Janmark was waiting for an opportunity to pounce 💥 King of saves, Kuemper thwarted 43 shots in Game 5 and now stands tall on 93 saves in the last two games, a testament to his resilience 💪💪
So, with the Oilers now standing on the precipice of ending the Kings’ season for the fourth consecutive year (crossing fingers for a fifth 🤞🔥), buckle up, folks; this series is heating up quicker than a Tim Horton's donut in the sun 🔥🍩
Insider Scoop:
Backup Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard came up big in the first period, making a stack of saves to keep the Oilers within reach. Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper's efforts earned him the title of one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy. The award is given to the league's outstanding goaltender every year.
- After the thrilling win in Game 5, the Oilers are now shielding a 3-2 series lead against the LA Kings in California, with the potential to end their season for the fifth consecutive year.
- On the ice in Los Angeles, Janmark scored the game-winning goal for the Oilers, accounting for his second goal of the series, which came after a rebound off a blocked shot by Viktor Arvidsson.
- In the world of sports, especially hockey in the NHL, Edmonton and the Oilers dominated the first period of Game 5, with a shots on goal advantage of 19-4, but it was Darcy Kuemper who thwarted the Kings from scoring, leaving the Oilers empty-handed.
- The Kings scored the first goal of the second period through Andrei Kuzmenko, who redirected a pass from Anze Kopitar near the blue line, but the Oilers quickly equalized thanks to Evander Kane's powerful wrister from the high slot.
- As the playoff series heats up, backup Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard made several key saves in the first period, while Darcy Kuemper's performances in the last two games have earned him a nomination as one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the league's outstanding goaltender.
