The Edmonton Oilers have taken the series lead over the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, the Oilers defeated the Kings 3-1 in game five of the first round of the playoffs. With the victory, the Oilers lead the Kings three games to two. You could make the argument this was the best Oilers game this season. Edmonton outshot Los Angeles 45-22.
Eight different Oilers registered one point. Two Canadians scored for the Oilers. They were Evander Kane of Vancouver, British Columbia and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Burnaby, British Columbia.
The Oilers are also getting sound goaltending from Calvin Pickard of Moncton, New Brunswick. Stuart Skinner struggled in the first two games of the series as he gave up 11 goals, had a save percentage of .810 and a goals against average of 6.11. In the the last three games, Pickard has won all contests and has steadily got better. After giving up four goals in game three, Pickard has given up three goals in game four, and one goal in game five.
Game six of the series now shifts to Edmonton on Thursday night. If the Oilers win, they will have beaten the Kings four straight years in the playoffs.