Kings approach Game 2 in Edmonton mindful of last year
EDMONTON, Alberta — A day after knocking off the red-hot Edmonton Oilers in the opening game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Kings regrouped at the Rogers Place practice arena for an optional skate Tuesday.
On the one hand, they were still basking in the glow of Monday’s come-from-behind overtime win over Connor McDavid and the rest of the Oilers’ sparkling cast. But on the other hand, they were also well aware that the page had to be turned quickly with Game 2 set for Wednesday night.
Last year, they completed that first step in winning Game 1, and, ultimately, weren’t able to get the job done, falling to the Oilers in seven games.
The good news for the Kings is there are two important differences from 2022. For one, forward Viktor Arvidsson, who missed last season’s playoffs, was a pivotal figure in the opening-night win with two assists and a strong two-way game alongside center Phillip Danault. And defensively, Drew Doughty is back after sitting out last year’s postseason while recovering from wrist surgery. He too made a meaningful contribution in Game 1 in helping to shut down McDavid.
The Oilers’ star, the runaway winner of the NHL’s scoring race with 64 goals and 153 points, hadn’t been held without a point since March 9 at Boston. McDavid rarely gets shut down in consecutive games. In fact, it happened only once this season – Oct. 22 against St. Louis and Oct. 24 against Pittsburgh.
The Kings will continue to rely on the checking of their top two centers, Anze Kopitar and Danault, plus the defense corps to contain McDavid as much as possible.
Kings coach Todd McLellan struck a cautionary note in a meeting with reporters, suggesting that while Arvidsson had a strong outing, saying: “We have others that have to get better if we expect to continue to win in this series. Our effort last night was a good effort, a resilient effort. But I’m not sure if it’s a series-winning effort.
“If we learned any lessons from last year, it’s we know the temperature of the series and the intensity of the series and the execution of the series goes up game by game.”
It’s probably a good time to remember the Kings lost decisively in Game 2, 6-0, and any momentum they might have carried forward from the first game was completely lost. Instead, Edmonton carried it over into a resounding Game 3 victory before the Kings found a way to get back on track.
“I’ve been asked about experience,” McLellan said. “That’s experience. Putting it into play, being ready to play Game 2 and applying it.”
ICE CHIPS
The Kings have the option of making one lineup change for the game after forward Gabe Vilardi joined them in Edmonton and pronounced himself ready to go. Vilardi has been out of the lineup since March 26. If he goes in, it will likely be in place of forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan.
Vilardi scored 23 goals in the regular season and would be a welcome addition to the second power-play unit.
Vilardi didn’t travel with the team to Edmonton but arrived in time to watch Game 1. When asked about the speed on display, Vilardi quipped: “Fast is not up my alley. It was fun. Fun to watch, but I’m excited to get in there.”
KINGS AT EDMONTON
What: Game 2, Western Conference first-round series
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta
TV: Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN/LA Kings iHeartRadio