The Oilers’ best performance of the season came at the best time: ‘We want to finish the job’

In the high-pressure environment of the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams often find their defining moments — the games where everything comes together, where every player’s strengths align, and where a collective willpower propels a group to a critical victory. For the Edmonton Oilers, that defining moment arrived at just the right time, as they delivered their best performance of the season in a crucial 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 of their first-round series.

With the win, the Oilers are now just one game away from advancing to the next round, and they have all the momentum on their side as they prepare to close the series out on home ice. But this victory wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was about the Oilers coming together at the most important moment of their season and showing just how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders.

“We’ve been building toward this,” said Connor McDavid, who once again showed why he’s one of the best players in the world. “We know we’re capable of this kind of performance, and now it’s about finishing the job. We’ve put ourselves in a great spot, but the job’s not done yet.”

An Explosive Start: The Oilers’ Offensive Barrage

The Oilers’ Game 5 victory was set up early with an explosive start that left the Kings reeling. From the moment the puck dropped, the Oilers took control of the game with a relentless offensive attack that put the Kings on their heels. In the first period alone, the Oilers generated 19 shots on goal, a number that speaks to the sheer volume of opportunities they created.

It’s not every day that a team manages to fire that many shots in a single period, let alone in a playoff game against a defensively sound team like the Kings. What was even more impressive, though, was the quality of those shots. The Oilers weren’t simply peppering Darcy Kuemper, they were creating high-danger chances from all over the ice. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were flying through the neutral zone, Evander Kane was crashing the crease, and every line was contributing offensively.

“We knew we had to come out with a sense of urgency,” said Draisaitl. “The Kings are a good team, and they’ve shown they can win games on the road, so we wanted to make a statement right from the start.”

The Oilers’ pace was relentless. Their speed, physicality, and ability to maintain possession was unmatched in the opening frame. Yet, as impressive as the Oilers were offensively, it was Darcy Kuemper who kept the game from getting out of hand. The Kings’ goalie was nothing short of spectacular in the first period, stopping 18 of the Oilers’ 19 shots, including several highlight-reel saves.

“Kuemper was great, especially in that first period,” said Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft. “He kept them in it, and that made things more difficult for us. But we stuck with it, and we knew eventually we’d break through.”

The Kings Strike First: Edmonton’s Response

Despite the Oilers’ dominance in shots and possession, it was the Kings who struck first in the game. It came in the form of a scramble in front of the Oilers’ net, where Anze Kopitar managed to muscle the puck past Jack Campbell, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead.

It was a frustrating moment for the Oilers, who had done everything right up until that point, only to see a lucky bounce go the Kings’ way. The goal energized the Kings, who started to push back a little more as the period wore on.

But the Oilers showed exactly why they are one of the best teams in the league. They weren’t rattled. They didn’t panic. Instead, they responded quickly — and emphatically.

Just two minutes after the Kings had taken the lead, Evander Kane responded with a goal of his own. It was a brilliant individual effort from Kane, who found space in the offensive zone and took a well-placed pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. With a quick release, Kane fired the puck past Kuemper to tie the game at 1-1.

“We couldn’t let it affect us,” Kane said after the game. “The goal they scored was a tough one to give up, but we stayed calm. Nuge made a great pass, and I just tried to get the shot off quickly. It was important to get that goal back right away.”

Kane’s quick response was a crucial turning point. It prevented the Kings from gaining any real momentum and ensured that the Oilers could reset heading into the final 40 minutes of play. As the game moved into the second and third periods, Edmonton’s performance would only get better.

A Tight Third Period: Janmark’s Clutch Moment

With the game tied 1-1 entering the third period, both teams knew that this was the moment where the game could be decided. The Kings, desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive, started to tighten up their defensive structure, clogging up the neutral zone and trying to limit the Oilers’ breakouts.

But the Oilers have been at their best this season when the game is tight, and they weren’t about to let the Kings dictate the pace in the final period. After several near-misses, it was Mattias Janmark who emerged as the unlikely hero.

With just under eight minutes remaining, the Oilers managed to maintain possession in the offensive zone, and a key faceoff win set up Janmark in the high slot. Without hesitation, he unloaded a shot that beat Kuemper low on the glove side, giving the Oilers a 2-1 lead.

For Janmark, it was the perfect example of being in the right place at the right time. His goal proved to be the difference-maker, and it was a testament to the Oilers’ depth that players like him can come through in the clutch when it’s needed most.

“It felt great to get that goal,” said Janmark, who has been known for his two-way play and physicality but stepped up offensively when his team needed him. “This team is so deep, and we’ve got guys who can score at any time. We just want to help the team win, and I’m happy I could do that tonight.”

Pickard’s Solid Performance and Oilers’ Defensive Composure

While the offense certainly stole the spotlight, Jack Campbell and the Oilers’ defense were equally important in securing the win. Campbell, who had a relatively quiet night in terms of shots faced, finished with 21 saves and posted a .955 save percentage. His most important save came late in the third period when the Kings, with their goalie pulled, mounted a final push to tie the game.

On the other side of the puck, Carter Pickard and the Oilers’ defensemen were excellent in keeping the Kings at bay. Darnell Nurse, Tyson Barrie, and Evan Bouchard were all stellar in their zone, blocking shots, making clearances, and winning critical battles along the boards.

“We wanted to make sure we didn’t give them any easy chances,” said Nurse. “Campbell was solid, and we did a good job of limiting their opportunities in key areas of the ice. It’s a total team effort.”

Nugent-Hopkins Seals It: Oilers’ Path to Victory

With the Kings pulling Kuemper for an extra attacker in the final minute, the Oilers found themselves with a golden opportunity to finish the job. And it was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, ever the opportunist, who sealed the victory for Edmonton with an empty-net goal in the closing seconds, securing a 3-1 final score and giving the Oilers a 3-1 series lead.

“Finishing the job is all that matters now,” Nugent-Hopkins said after the game. “We’ve put ourselves in a good position, but we’re focused on closing it out at home.”

The Oilers’ Message: A Dominant Performance at the Perfect Time

The Oilers’ Game 5 victory was much more than just a win — it was a statement. At the most crucial moment of their season, the Oilers came together and played their most complete game of the year, combining offensive firepower, defensive composure, and goaltending stability to put the Kings on the brink of elimination.

As they head back to Edmonton with the chance to finish the job on home ice, the Oilers are in a prime position to advance. But their focus remains razor-sharp. They’ve accomplished nothing yet — the job is far from over.

“We want to finish the job,” McDavid said. “This is where the fun begins. We know we have what it takes, but we have to stay focused and keep pushing.”

With the series now on the line, the Oilers’ confidence has never been higher. They know what they’re capable of, and they’ve shown it in the best possible way. From McDavid’s leadership to Draisaitl’s playmaking, from Kane’s scoring to Janmark’s clutch goal, everything is coming together for Edmonton at the right time.

The Oilers are one game away from advancing, and their best performance of the season is exactly the kind of momentum they need to make a deep playoff run. The clock is ticking, and Edmonton’s sights are set on the ultimate prize. They’re hungry, and they’re ready to finish the job.