Viktor Arvidsson’s tying goal with 1:21 remaining in regulation pushed The Los Angeles Kings came to a crucial 5-5 four overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, securing third place in the Pacific Division and setting up a playoff rematch with the Edmonton Oilers.
War win, coupled with the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights’ loss to Anaheim, pushed the Kings into a third straight playoff game with the Oilers, a team they had upset in their two previous meetings in the first round.
Los Angeles finished the regular season with 99 points, just one point behind the Knights.
The game against Chicago saw the Kings squander a two-goal lead in the second period. three, just to pull together and force overtime, knowing that a regulation defeat would mean facing the home team. the best. seeded the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Western conference Playoff.
Captain Anže Kopitar admitted to realizing the broader implications of the playoffs during the game, but the team managed to regroup and pull out an important win.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers (Credit: NHL.com)
Arvidsson’s second goal of the night, scored on a 6-on-4 advantage with goaltender Cam Talbot brought in to play second striker and Chicago’s Philipp Kurashev in the box, proved crucial in leveling the score.< br>
Adrian Kempe then sealed the win just six seconds into stoppage time with an unassisted goal , consolidated the Kings’ third place position by a single point and turned their attention to the upcoming series with Edmonton.
The desire to redeem themselves against the Oilers was evident in the number Kings players, with Quinton Byfield expressing the team’s determination to overcome previous playoff losses and win this long-awaited game.