WCR1: Edmonton Oilers (P3) vs Los Angeles Kings (P2) - Oilers win 4-2

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The challenge in game 3 was a mistake which MAY have cost them a game

Byfield's error cost them game 4

Usually a team can survive blowing one game, but throwing away 2 games, in a 7 game series, is a big hole to climb back out of.

Not over yet though.

Yep the challenge cost them a chance to win the game in OT and Byfield cost them game 4 so with some better decision making the Kings could have swept the series. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. I think the air is out of the ballon now though as the momentum has shifted 180 and the Kings are once again succumbing to their playoff demons.

[McG]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yep the challenge cost them a chance to win the game in OT and Byfield cost them game 4 so with some better decision making the Kings could have swept the series. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. I think the air is out of the ballon now though as the momentum has shifted 180 and the Kings are once again succumbing to their playoff demons.

Exactly. Kings lost belief. Oilers gained belief.

The only way this gets to 7 games is if the kings play with more desperation than the oilers. Don’t get outshot embarrassingly. And for Pete’s sake, learn how to get the puck out of your own zone the first time.

[dino7c]

to me its all in the Kings heads...Oilers aren't really doing anything different, Picard is 3-0 but hasn't looked good. Kings are so nervous they can't make a pass.

[Bingo]

I just hope this is a really suspect Kings team, and not a sign of the damn Oilers finding it.

They're a 62% xGF% five on five and by far the best of the 16.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I mean, did you see the Kings?

That wasn't much of a fight. Also they couldn't connect two passes.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just hope this is a really suspect Kings team, and not a sign of the damn Oilers finding it.

They're a 62% xGF% five on five and by far the best of the 16.

The grease are living rent free in the Kings' heads.

After losing 3 straight series, they're buckling under the pressure of not wanting to lose a 4th straight.

I doubt the grease can duplicate these xGF numbers against a team like Vegas.

[CroFlames]

The momentum is completely with the Oilers now. I see zero chance of the Kings coming back; I don't even think they believe in themselves.

Which is funny because they were so close to putting this to bed.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just hope this is a really suspect Kings team, and not a sign of the damn Oilers finding it.

They're a 62% xGF% five on five and by far the best of the 16.

I fear it's the later. The Kings were one of the hottest teams in the league going into the playoffs and had one of the best xGF% all year. They also were the leagues best home team and got dummied last night.

[dino7c]

Kings have been the better team in 4 of 5...seems like the Kings are choking to me
Calvin Picard is not leading a team to a cup

Kings coach is making some massive mistakes

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Kings have been the better team in 4 of 5...seems like the Kings are choking to me
Calvin Picard is not leading a team to a cup

Kings coach is making some massive mistakes

The Oilers PK and goaltending in the first two games was atrocious.

But the Oilers have had a pretty wide margin in play five on five in 4 of the 5 games.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just hope this is a really suspect Kings team, and not a sign of the damn Oilers finding it.

They're a 62% xGF% five on five and by far the best of the 16.

Some of that is just how dominant 29 and 97 have been and how much they've relied on them in these games.

At 5v5 it's now 80% xGF and 5GF 2GA at 5v5 when those two are on the ice together.

Kings have no answer. Especially late in games where they are playing every other shift together.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The Oilers PK and goaltending in the first two games was atrocious.

But the Oilers have had a pretty wide margin in play five on five in 4 of the 5 games.

I think that has more to do with the Kings having the lead for most of the series and then sitting back trying to protect it. When games 1-4 were tied or even the Kings were controlling the play.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just hope this is a really suspect Kings team, and not a sign of the damn Oilers finding it.

They're a 62% xGF% five on five and by far the best of the 16.

The Kings has the #2 defence in terms of giving up quality and keeping teams to the outside to finish the season.

Seeing the high scores the first 3 games makes me think the Kings fell into the same trap the Flames did after game 1.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I think that has more to do with the Kings having the lead for most of the series and them sitting back trying to protect it

I appreciate your optimism, I really do.

Protecting the lead definitely has something to do with it. Except last game. That was just a broken team that gave up.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I think that has more to do with the Kings having the lead for most of the series and them sitting back trying to protect it. When games 1-4 were tied or even the Kings were controlling the play.

That certainly plays into it.

NaturalStatTrick only removes 2% from the 62% if you go score adjusted.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kevman

I appreciate your optimism, I really do.

Protecting the lead definitely has something to do with it. Except last game. That was just a broken team that gave up.

I said games 1-4...its not optimisim its what happened. All 4 games the Kings were controlling the play until they got the lead and sat back.

I'm not optimistic they will get back to that game, just saying I don't think the Oilers are re-inventing the wheel or doing anything special here. Yeah they had bad goaltending, and they still do. My optimism for the Kings is gone...I'm optimistic a team like Vegas is a much better team and won't make the same stupid mistakes.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yep the challenge cost them a chance to win the game in OT and Byfield cost them game 4 so with some better decision making the Kings could have swept the series. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. I think the air is out of the ballon now though as the momentum has shifted 180 and the Kings are once again succumbing to their playoff demons.

Yup. They have to find a way to swing momentum back to their side. But I can see why a lot of people think they aren't capable. I think they are, but let's see them actually do it.

[SemicolonD]

Honestly it starts with the coach. His answers to the media and horrible challenge tell me he's folded under the pressure, and that easily trickles down into the rest of the locker room. The player's are dealing with their own demons and trying to finally beat this team, they don't expect the coach of all people to be adding onto that pressure. The coach is supposed to be the rock. In this case, the coach is a joke.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by SemicolonD

Honestly it starts with the coach. His answers to the media and horrible challenge tell me he's folded under the pressure, and that easily trickles down into the rest of the locker room. The player's are dealing with their own demons and trying to finally beat this team, they don't expect the coach of all people to be adding onto that pressure. The coach is supposed to be the rock. In this case, the coach is a joke.

His media after game 4 was even worse...basically got mad a reporters for suggesting they made some mistakes

[dino7c]

The only real hope is Kuemper...he plays like last night and the Kings just need to pick it up a bit. If he played like that in games 3 and 4 it would have likely been over already. What a wierd series.