Kings Outclassed in 6-3 Loss to Oilers

The Los Angeles Kings needed a big response after their Game Four loss but couldn't deliver. Their 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game Five is devastating and puts them in a must-win situation in Game Six.

Tuesday's game was the first time the Kings looked outclassed for such an extended period. There have been periods where the Kings have been dominated but not whole games until Tuesday.

They allowed the Oilers' power play an early opportunity they capitalized on. Late in the power play, Evander Kane scored his second goal of the series with a snipe over Joonas Korpisalo's glove.

Just over two minutes later, Leon Draisaitl double the Oilers' lead. After Connor McDavid picked up the puck behind the net he fed Draisaitl out front who made no mistake. 

Quinton Byfield was on Draisaitl but failed to tie his stick up allowing Draisaitl the free shot. It was Byfield's final shift on the top line.

Just three minutes later the Kings got on the board with Alex Iafallo depositing an Adrian Kempe rebound in front. 

The Oilers quickly regained their two-goal lead though, with Bret Kulak jumping into the play and burying backdoor. 

The Kings were given life late in the period through another Kempe goal. After a nifty behind-the-back pass by Carl Grundstrom, Kempe drove the net and roofed a short-side effort over Stuart Skinner's glove.

The Kings were back in the game with the potential to turn the game around with a strong second period.

Instead, they had one of their worst periods of the series.

They were outscored 2-0. With Nick Bjugstad tipping Cody Ceci's point shot past Korpisalo. And Zach Hyman deposited a comical goal, having the puck deflect off his face in front on the power play. 

Hyman's goal was Edmonton's fourth and the end of Korpisalo's night, giving Pheonix Copley his postseason debut. 

The Kings mustered up nothing offensively in the second. Being out-chanced 8-3 and losing out 4-0 in high-danger chances. 

The Oilers had them at arm's length and the Kings couldn't do anything to threaten Edmonton's goal.

The third period didn't start any better for the Kings, with Copley missing a cross-ice pass he could have gloved down that deflected off Hyman in front and in. 

Two minutes later, King's fans finally had something to cheer for. Now on a line with Kevin Fiala and Gabe Vilardi, Byfield grabbed his first career playoff goal.

Vilardi fed a beautiful pass from below the goal line to Byfield in front, who finished with an easy tap-in.

The Kings were able to stop the bleeding and end the game at 6-3.

Game Five was the worst of the series from the Kings by a large margin. 

They didn't have the energy to match Edmonton and looked a step behind all night.

The penalty kill was once again a glaring issue and couldn't get the stellar goaltending from Korpisalo they've had all series.

It's must-win for the Kings now, with a lengthy break before Game Six back at home.