Apr 22, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings in game one of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The Edmonton Oilers came out swinging big in Game 1 against Kings

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Sam Nestler | Last updated 4/23/24

The Edmonton Oilers came out flying in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.

In Game 1 on Monday, Edmonton racked up 45 shots, got out to a 4-0 lead in the second period, and rolled their way to a 7-4 victory on home ice.

Connor McDavid had five assists. Zach Hyman scored a hat trick. It was a dominating performance.

But despite their recent playoff success, which included a Western Conference Final appearance in 2022, Monday was the first time that Edmonton won Game 1 of a series since 2017.

For a team with some of the best players in the world, the history is quite jarring.

The Oilers dropped Game 1 in the first round to Los Angeles in both 2023 and 2022, missed the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the qualifying round in 2020, were swept by the Winnipeg Jets in 2021, fell to the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche in 2022, and eventually lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round last season.

The last time they won a Game 1 was a 5-3 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on April 26, 2017.

Now 1-7 in their last eight Game 1’s.

Frank Seravalli: For a team that hasn’t won a Game 1 in a while. For a team that has made life difficult on itself, losing Game 1 each of the last two years against the LA Kings in the first round. I said before the series started that they needed to show us that they’ve learned something. And then you have last night happen… They were firing on all cylinders… What this shows is the clear gap in class between the Oilers and Kings.

But can Edmonton continue to grow by not letting this first-round series drag out further than it needs to?

Frank Seravalli: The next step on the lesson plan if you are talking about ‘Will the Edmonton Oilers continue to learn from playoff mistakes of the past?’ Can you make quick work of the Kings in round one? I don’t see a path for Los Angeles to not only get back in this series, but to win it. But can the Oilers clamp down on that?

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