McDavid's absence from scoring cost the Oilers in 14 of their 19 NHL playoff matches.
Score One for the Kings: LA Takes 6-2 Victory Over Edmonton
Game two of the series between Los Angeles and Edmonton saw the home team seizing control, leading comfortably midway through and ending the game with a 6-2 win. The powerhouse trio of Kempe - Kopitar - Kuzmenko played a pivotal role, contributing to four of the "Kings" goals and converting three power plays. Meanwhile, Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who shone in the opening game with a goal and three assists, fell short, failing to register any points.
The stats over the past few years suggest McDavid's performance holds the key to Edmonton's fortune: since the spring of 2017, the team has played 55 playoff games, and in 19 of those games where their leader didn't score, they've only managed to win five times.
The team's inability to score from their captain often results in losses, while McDavid's points usually tip the scales in their favor. After two consecutive losses, the club returns to their home "Rogers Place" on April 26. The team aims to redeem themselves, while facing the risk of being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round for the first time in three seasons.
Bonus Reading:
- LA Trumps Edmonton 6-2: Kuzmenko scores again, Gavrikov and Podkolzin contribute
- Kempe praises Kuzmenko's role in boosting LA's power play
- Ovechkin moves into fifth among Russians in NHL playoff games played
Insight: McDavid's impact on the Edmonton Oilers since the spring of 2017 has been significant, influencing their performance in playoff games. Here's a brief overview:
- 2017 Playoffs: McDavid led the Oilers to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, despite their elimination by the Anaheim Ducks. McDavid's performance during the series was impressive, accumulating 5 goals and 4 assists in 13 games.
- 2019-2020 Playoffs: Despite being eliminated in the qualifying round by the Chicago Blackhawks, McDavid still managed to score 5 goals and 4 assists in 4 games. His individual performance highlighted his skill and ability to produce in crucial situations.
- 2020-2021 Playoffs: The Oilers didn't make it past the first round in 2021, but McDavid's dominance was undeniable. He scored 1 goal and 3 assists in 4 games against the Winnipeg Jets.
- 2021-2022 Playoffs: McDavid's influence was substantial, recording 10 goals and 14 assists in 16 games. However, the Oilers fell to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals.
- 2022-2023 Playoffs: McDavid's contributions to his team's playoff performance remained impressive, though specific details for his performance aren't provided in the search results for the 2022-2023 season. His general trend of performing well continued.
- 2024-2025 Playoffs: The search results do not provide detailed information on McDavid's performance or the Oilers' record in the 2024-2025 playoffs. However, in the current 2025 playoffs, McDavid's highlights are being discussed, suggesting ongoing significant contributions to his team's performance.
- Despite Connor McDavid's failure to register points in the game against Los Angeles Kings, bookmakers are closely watching his performance, as his impact on the Oilers has largely determined their success in hockey's NHL playoffs since 2017.
- As the series continues, Oilers' rivals will be keenly watching Kuzmenko and his contribution to the Kings' power play, considering his role in their victory over Edmonton and his consistent performance throughout the season.
- The Oilers' risks of being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round, after two consecutive losses, greatly depends on Connor McDavid's returns to his team's offense, as his ability to score largely impacts their performance.
- Coincidentally, in the previous year's playoffs, Kuzmenko, similar to McDavid, played a crucial role in his team's triumph and will likely pose a significant challenge to the Oilers' defense during their upcoming games.
