Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings: Kings Start 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Series With Wild Comeback

Los Angeles Kings Strike First in Thrilling 2025 Playoff Opener Against Edmonton Oilers

Some NHL playoff openers are tense chess matches. Not this one. If you blinked, you probably missed a goal. On April 21, the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers kicked off their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs series with a wild 6-5 win for the Kings at their packed Crypto.com Arena. This wasn’t just any series opener—it set the tone for what feels like a grudge match loaded with postseason history.

The Kings now lead the series 1-0, riding the high of a last-gasp goal from Phillip Danault, his second of the night, with only 42 seconds left on the clock. The entire building shook after that one. Danault slipped the puck past Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, sending purple and silver jerseys up in celebration. For long-suffering Kings fans, this was sweet revenge after three straight years of being shown the exit in the first round by Edmonton.

Rollercoaster Night Sets Records and Raises Questions

If you crave drama, Game 1 delivered in buckets. The Kings raced to a 4-0 lead by the second intermission, with every line clicking and the home crowd roaring. Trevor Moore sniped two early goals while Quinton Byfield chipped in with a power-play tally. Yet, anyone who’s watched these two teams knows never to count out the Oilers—especially with Connor McDavid on the ice.

The third period swung completely the other way. The Oilers—who looked battered and nearly beaten—exploded for three goals in under six minutes. Leon Draisaitl popped up with his trademark quick release, Zach Hyman battled in front for a rebound, and McDavid was at the heart of every attack, tallying two silky assists. The comeback was capped when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tapped in the tying goal, making it 5-5 with just over two minutes left.

You’d think blowing not just a four-goal lead, but also a 5-3 edge, would shatter the Kings. But they didn’t crumble. According to NHL stats, Los Angeles became just the fourth team ever to win a playoff game after giving up a 4-0 lead. That sort of resilience is exactly what Kings coach Todd McLellan has been preaching since the painful exits of years past.

On Edmonton’s side, the collapse burned. McDavid’s post-game interview said it all—he called it “inexcusable,” hinting at missed assignments and lapses in focus that can’t happen come playoff time. Still, if there’s one thing we’ve learned from recent battles between these squads, it’s that momentum swings fast and no lead is safe.

• Game 2 is set for April 22, again in Los Angeles. Expect sharper defense and maybe a little less chaos.
• This is the fourth year in a row the Oilers and Kings have met in the first round. Edmonton has won all three previous series, but the Kings’ Game 1 win changes the vibe.
• Players to watch: Outside of McDavid and Danault, eyes are on Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, who looked rattled, and Kings’ veteran Anze Kopitar, who logged big minutes defensively.

This rivalry is getting personal. With the Kings snatching the opener in such wild fashion, the pressure’s dialed up for the Oilers to avoid falling behind 2-0 before heading back north. Judging by the opener, nobody’s safe until the final horn.