Kings Fall Behind Oilers in Standings After 3-1 Loss

For the second time in a week, the Los Angeles Kings have lost to the Edmonton Oilers. They weren't shutout again Tuesday night, but grabbed just one goal en route to a 3-1 loss.

The Kings and Oilers played a very low event first period with just five shots between the two teams.

The Kings didn't allow a shot on goal until after the 10 minute mark in a period where they dominated possession.

The Kings couldn't capitalize on their one power-play opportunity and killed two penalties of their own.

It was a scrappy physical period.

The second period continued the theme of physical play, with plenty of after whistle activities. 

The Oilers opened up the scoring just over halfway through the period. After a big blocked shot by Sean Durzi, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins received the puck at the left circle and beat Pheonix Copley low glove. 

The Kings were outplayed in the second and made it five straight periods without a goal against Stuart Skinner.

The Kings had a few power play's in the second period, but are feeling the absence of Kevin Fiala and Gabe Vilardi. Without those two, the power play looks abject.

Heading into the third, the Kings were in the game but on the backfoot. 

They continued this trend into the third but were able to tie the game just over ten minutes into the period.

An excellent Sean Walker pinch led to a turnover that Trevor Moore collected, Moore then fed Viktor Arvidsson at the top of the point, who hammered a one-timer from the blue line past Skinner.

But, just 30 seconds after tying the game, Arvidsson would head to the box for a slash.

On the ensuing power play, the Oilers did what the Oilers do best and capitalized with the man advantage. 

Connor McDavid put a shot on goal that rebounded right to Leon Draisaitl backdoor who finished for his 51st goal of the season. 

Not even two minutes after tying the game, the Kings were down again. 

The Kings were unable to find a second goal, with Darnell Nurse grabbing the empty net goal to wrap up an Oilers victory.

It was the Oilers second victory over the Kings in a week. And in those two games, the Kings managed to beat Skinner just once. 

Despites solid goaltending displays from Joonas Korpisalo last week and Copley this week, the Kings come away with two losses. 

This also sees the Oilers jump the Kings in the standings by one point, as Edmonton chases down the Vegas Golden Knights for the division title. 

As things stand, the Oilers and Kings will see each other in round one for the second straight season. And if these last two games are any indication of things to come, the Kings could be in trouble.

The Kings do have one thing going for them and that's health. Both losses came without Fiala, Vilardi, or Mikey Anderson in the lineup. Anderson did suit up for the game last week but was injured less than two minutes in. 

Given their struggles offensively, the return of Vilardi and Fiala will be massive. And it's always a positive to have your number on shutdown defensemen in the lineup. Especially against a player like McDavid.