The LA Kings concluded their 2024-25 NHL season with a disappointing 6-4 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night at Rogers Place. This loss marked the end of their playoff journey, as they fell in Game 4 of the series. The Kings managed to score the game's first goal just 79 seconds into the match, continuing their trend of finding the net first in five out of six games played in the series.
Right from the opening puck drop, the Kings showcased their offensive skills. Forward Alex Laferriere executed a perfect bank pass to Kevin Fiala, who then assisted Quinton Byfield on a breakaway. Byfield displayed his finesse, deking to his forehand and successfully beating Edmonton goaltender Calvin Pickard on the blocker side. This goal marked Byfield's third in the series, giving the Kings an early 1-0 lead.
However, the Oilers quickly responded, tying the game at one just two minutes later. After a scramble in front of the Kings' net, forward Connor Brown retrieved a blocked shot and fired it towards the slot, where it deflected off Adam Henrique and into the net, past Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
The Kings regained their lead shortly after, as forward Phillip Danault set up defenseman Brandt Clarke with a nifty pass. Clarke took aim and found the top shelf, scoring his second goal of the series and putting the Kings ahead 2-1 within the first four minutes of play. Yet again, Edmonton replied quickly, leveling the score at 2-2 when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins capitalized on a power play opportunity with a sharp shot from the slot.
As the game progressed, the Oilers took their first lead just shy of the 13-minute mark when Zach Hyman redirected a shot from defenseman Darnell Nurse, making it 3-2. The Oilers continued to build momentum, and in the second period, scored again during a 4-on-3 power play when Nurse found the net with a clean wrist shot, extending Edmonton's lead to 4-2.
The Kings rallied late in the second period, with Jordan Spence scoring his first career playoff goal, narrowing the gap to 5-3. The Kings' determination showed through as they fought back, and with less than two minutes remaining in the game, Drew Doughty assisted Anze Kopitar for another goal, bringing the score to 5-4. Unfortunately, the Oilers sealed the game with an empty-net goal just before the final buzzer, resulting in a 6-4 final score.
Following the game, team captain Anze Kopitar expressed the disappointment felt by the team, noting that this season was particularly tough to swallow. “We felt like we were the better team for most of the series,” he said. Forward Adrian Kempe echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the missed opportunities in crucial games.
Head Coach Jim Hiller also shared his thoughts, stating that this season represented a significant missed opportunity. He highlighted the team's strong performance in the final game, suggesting that they deserved better than what the scoreboard reflected. “We believed we could have won the series,” he remarked.
Several players stood out during the game. Quinton Byfield opened the scoring, while Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence both contributed with goals that showcased their potential. Kevin Fiala notched two assists, bringing his total to seven points in the playoffs. The Kings’ defensive corps also made notable contributions, with Drew Doughty and Phillip Danault adding assists to their playoff tallies.
As the LA Kings prepare for the offseason, exit interviews will be held in the coming days to evaluate the season and plan for the future. While the loss in Game 4 was heartbreaking, the team showed resilience and potential that fans will hope to see carry into the next season.
