Mattias Janmark scores game-winner to lift Oilers past Kings

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th April, 01:31 2025

Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Mattias Janmark scored the third-period game-winning goal to give the visiting Edmonton Oilers a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and put them one win away from advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also scored for the Oilers in yet another comeback victory, which gives them a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

Goaltender Calvin Pickard made 21 saves.

Leon Draisaitl collected an assist to tie a franchise record with his 19th consecutive playoff game against the Kings with a point. He has netted 17 goals and 19 assists in that run.

The Oilers will try to close out the series Thursday at home. Edmonton is looking to knock out the Kings in the first round for the fourth consecutive year.

Andrei Kuzmenko replied for the Kings, who have lost three consecutive games.

Goalie Darcy Kuemper, one day after being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, gave his club a chance with a 43-save performance.

With overtime on the horizon, Janmark's second tally of the series gave the Oilers their first lead of the game at 7:12 of the third period. Kuemper made a save but the rebound came to Janmark in the left circle, who immediately buried the chance.

Nugent-Hopkins iced the game with a final-minute empty-net goal.

Edmonton outscored the Kings 13-10 in the third period.

In keeping with the theme of the playoffs, the Oilers erased a deficit to win again.

After a scoreless opening frame in which Edmonton outshot the hosts 19-4, Kuzmenko's power-play goal opened the scoring at 3:33 of the second period.

Los Angeles has scored eight man-advantage markers in the series, three by Kuzmenko.

Kane tied the clash three minutes later with his second of the playoffs, finding the twine right after an unsuccessful power play with a shot from the slot that ricocheted off a defender's stick.

The Oilers held a 33-12 edge in shots after 40 minutes.

--Field Level Media

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