Mike Smith, Connor McDavid lead Oilers to series win over Kings

The Edmonton Oilers take on the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series began on Monday with Game 1. The Oilers enter as a slight No. 2 seed over the No. 3 seeded Kings. The Kings went on a nice run to end the season in order to overtake the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks to claim the 3-seed in the West out of the Pacific Division.

Here we’re going to be tracking all the results from the first-round series.

Oilers win series 4-3

Game 1: Kings 4, Oilers 3

Recap — In a back-and-forth contest, the Kings were able to come away with a big road win in Game 1 on Monday night. Los Angeles had leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before the Oilers were able to come back in a few instances. Connor McDavid, while on the losing end, had one of the most insane goals anyone has ever seen at the end of the first period to make it 2-1. Phillip Danault would go on to score the game-winning goal in the third period to give L.A. the victory.

Game 2: Oilers 6, Kings 0

Recap — The Oilers bounced back after a tough loss in Game 1 to shut out the Kings in Game 2 to even the series. Controversial forward Evander Kane had three points for the Oilers in the win. Connor McDavid had two assists while Mike Smith recorded a 30-save shutout. The Kings were able to generate shots but got nothing past Smith despite having five power plays.

Game 3: Oilers 8, Kings 2

Recap — Evander Kane scored a hat trick and the Oilers demolished the Kings in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round. The Oilers got scoring contributions from basically the entire roster in the win. Connor McDavid had two assists while Leon Draisaitl had two points. Mike Smith made 44 saves on 46 shots.

Game 4: Kings 4, Oilers 0

Recap — The Oilers realized that relying on Mike Smith in net was not wise. The Kings got a shutout win in Game 4 on Sunday night to even the series 2-2 heading back to Edmonton. Jonathan Quick turned back the clock with 31 saves. Carl Grundstrom led the way for L.A. with two goals and an assist. What appeared to be a series the Oilers had control of, is now completely up in the air with three games to go.

Game 5: Kings 5, Oilers 4 OT

Recap — After a shutout win in Game 4, the Kings have now taken a 3-2 lead in the series over the Oilers with an overtime win on Tuesday night. Adrian Kempe scored at 1:12 of overtime to give L.A. the victory and send the team home with a chance to advance to the second round. The Oilers got six points (three goals, three assists) from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Game 6: Oilers 4, Kings 2

Recap — This one will go the route as Connor McDavid finishes with the opening goal and adds two assists to send it back to Edmonton for Game 7. Mike Smith stopped 30 of 32 shots, and the road team led on high danger chances 14-9. The Oilers will look to win just their second playoff series since 2006 on Saturday.

Game 7: Oilers 2, Kings 0

Recap — Mike Smith made 29 saves and Connor McDavid scored the second goal of the game to help the Oilers defeat the Kings in Game 7 to advance. The Oilers will face the winner of the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames series, which ends with Game 7 on Sunday.