Kings 2, Oilers 1
LOS ANGELES -- Left winger Dwight King scored the go-ahead with 5:50 remaining in the third period, lifting the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 victory over the road-challenged Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night at Staples Center.
King got a stick on a blast by center Jeff Carter, who scored a goal to tie the score earlier in the period. King earned an assist on Carter’s goal.
The third-period goals allowed the Kings (36-20-4) to capture their third straight win and their fourth in a row this season over the Oilers.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 26 shots for Los Angeles. One of those included a point-blank attempt in the final two minutes by right winger Jordan Eberle.
Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot saved 34 of 36 shots. The Oilers (22-34-6) lost their sixth in a row.
A Kings turnover led to a goal for the Oilers late in the second period. Right winger Zack Kassian fielded a pass from left winger Taylor Hall and smoked a winner past Quick for a 1-0 lead with 1:05 remaining in the second. It was Kassian’s third goal this season. For Hall, it increased his team-leading assist total to 33 and points total to 53.
Los Angeles knotted the score early in the third period. After a faceoff between King and Oilers center Connor McDavid, Los Angeles center Tyler Toffoli grabbed a loose puck in front of the net but couldn’t get it past Talbot. However, Carter cashed in the rebound for 1-1 tie at 5:27 of the third. Carter has 15 goals on the season.
The Oilers have dropped nine of the last 11 at Staples.
The worst road club in the NHL with a 7-20-4 mark, the Oilers have managed just a goal in each of their last four road setbacks. They haven’t claimed a win in a visiting arena since they routed the Ottawa Senators 7-2 on Feb. 4. Their only other victorious decision on the road this year occurred Jan. 18 in a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
An announced crowd of 18,230 attended.
NOTES: Entering Thursday's games, Kings C Anze Kopitar ranked third in the league in scoring since Nov. 20 with 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists). He was the club's points leader with 52 (18 goals, 34 assists). ... Edmonton scratched RW Teddy Purcell, D Justin Schultz and RW Iiro Pakarinen. Los Angeles scratched LW Michael Mersch, D Kevin Gravel and C Jordan Nolan. ... The Oilers entered the contest with a 2-12-2 record against Pacific Division teams this season. ... The Kings were 78-80-39 all-time against the Oilers entering Thursday's meeting, including a 38-44-18 mark. ... The clubs' final regular-season meeting is March 26 at Edmonton's Rexall Place. ... Edmonton visits the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Los Angeles hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.