Game Thread: G1 WCQF 0-0 Kings vs Oilers 4/21/25

[davnlaguna]

Kings need to win the next one. Or at least keep the score down. Not going to out score McJesus every night

 

[PuckinUgly57]

So this game did not turn out like I expected for the lady, I said this is not playoff hockey so the Kings bamboozled her. Happy they got the win, we're having a Jameson and a Don Julio to celebrate.

Second, before the game I saw the "Built For This" slogan for this year and I joked and said if they lose this series that slogan will have blown up in their face.

Yeah, I'm not built for this, keep my blood pressure normal please.

 

[davnlaguna]

Get the Korean good luck charm anthem players
Undefeated in post season when the play

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Just got home. I really tried to just be neutral, but dayam, was I into it. The ticky-tac BS from Oilers. Full Kevin Fiala experience. Kings blown lead again. I was so happy with how they looked through two periods, and they legitimately tried to blow it. I am going to watch a replay and see what I missed, but man. I wasn't going to drink, but the game as actually stressing me out, so I had one tall boy heading into the 2nd.

Win is a win. Oilers fans probably punching air right now. Skinner and that defense might just be the difference, as unstoppable as McDavid is.

Danault with the worst shot I've ever seen, and it worked. I hope they're having a good laugh about that tonight and tomorrow.

Fiala was everywhere, in the best and worst ways. When it was 4-2, he had like no spatial awareness on the PP and Oilers almost counterattacked to make it 4-3. Then he buries that 5th goal. Huge goal. But then the next 5 on 3, you can see him panicking. He rings it off the post, which happens, but then he forces it the rest of the PP. Fans on a shot, then rockets a miss Jack Johnson-style 30 feet over the net. Kempe also had his shot blocked somehow, which I thought for sure it was going in. Anyway. NEED to bury one on the 5-3 with about 11 minutes left. Then Fiala someone shoots it over the net from the red line on an empty-net. Doughty and I think Danault also missed the empty net.

Anyway. Fiala is so talented and can make such a difference, so maybe I critique too hard. He was engaged and he made a big difference, but little things I still see in his game that feel mental. I thought Gavrikov had a strong game, except for a few errors that were pretty big. He was getting way into it with Draisaitl, and Drai was frustrated. Andersen I thought got exposed a lot. Clarke did enough. Edmundson looked pretty comfortable in all honesty. Forwards, I thought Kuzmenko was a big factor on some goals. I thought the Kopitar line didn't play enough in the 3rd. Weird period, but I didn't think they had the best 3rd. Saw so much Danault-Moore, which actually stressed me out. Byfield actually great forechecking, finally using his body. Great second goal. I was ready to leave my seat on the break he had in the 2nd, but for whatever reason he tried to throw it back to a guarded player. He actually looked pretty good overall.

That 5 forward PP is awesome and stressful. When it was 4-2, I felt like maybe that wasn't the time to run 5 forwards. But they seem committed to it, feast or famine. It is dangerous, for and against.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Watching replay. Fiala with the amazing pass out the gate to Kuzmenko for first goal. I knew he did it, but I need to give credit where credit is due. Fiala has all of the potential in him at all times, if he can just get out of his own head.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Spittin' Chiclets on Instagram: "“That was tough. I’m so happy we won that game because that would’ve been a shitty game to lose.” Drew Doughty after securing the W in a rollercoaster game. : @sportsnet"

3,626 likes, 42 comments - spittinchiclets on April 21, 2025: "“That was tough. I’m so happy we won that game because that would’ve been a shitty game to lose.” Drew Doughty after securing the W in a rollercoaster game. : @sportsnet".

www.instagram.com

Doughty interview funny not funny. Can't say yes not a real dude.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Just watched the whole replay. No words. It's almost more stressful the second time.

Objectively, the Kings really did dominate almost 2/3rds of the game. But so much energy to keep the Oilers' guns in check, that maybe it's just not that sustainable. That Danault shot to win the game was so freaking bad, but I will just say one thing. I don't know where I heard this, but they said you won't hear Foegele's name at all, and then he'll randomly just burn you. He's like Justin Williams, where he's decent, but he's almost charmed in a way. He was the guy jumping in front of Skinner as Danault's shot fluttered by. I am not sure how to explain it, but sometimes you just need a lucky guy on your team. Not to discredit his hard work and skillset, but there are more skilled guys. We'll see which team gained the most from that 3rd period. I would assume Edmonton got their confidence back, but they had nothing going for most of that game. And if the Kings could just hit one of their three empty-net chances, we're talking about something different. I really don't know. Insane game.

 

[Kings4OT]

Just watched the whole replay. No words. It's almost more stressful the second time.

Objectively, the Kings really did dominate almost 2/3rds of the game. But so much energy to keep the Oilers' guns in check, that maybe it's just not that sustainable. That Danault shot to win the game was so freaking bad, but I will just say one thing. I don't know where I heard this, but they said you won't hear Foegele's name at all, and then he'll randomly just burn you. He's like Justin Williams, where he's decent, but he's almost charmed in a way. He was the guy jumping in front of Skinner as Danault's shot fluttered by. I am not sure how to explain it, but sometimes you just need a lucky guy on your team. Not to discredit his hard work and skillset, but there are more skilled guys. We'll see which team gained the most from that 3rd period. I would assume Edmonton got their confidence back, but they had nothing going for most of that game. And if the Kings could just hit one of their three empty-net chances, we're talking about something different. I really don't know. Insane game.

100% Agree, Fiala was probably the most jumpy of everyone. He is small and tries to play like he is huge and I think amps himself up to much instead of playing his game. Also ive mentioned on the PP he should never be up at the blue line he should be down low, thats where he is Dirty-dri like with that shot and can dish like the 1st tip in by Kuz, plus if he Fiala's there is at least 1 guy between him and a breakaway. I dont know why it feels like its so easy to see huge problems while watching and come up with ways to fix or eliminate them but Kings staff with all their fancy equipment, time and stats keep doing the same problems over and over. In the end I hope LA takes this debacle and learns that A- dont let up on McDri and B- they can overcome the Oilers, settle down and play their game which dispite the1st 2 periods I dont think LA played their typical game much at all yet.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

TheHockeyGenius on Instagram: "Bro can't stop a beachball ️ #hockeyplayer #trailerparkboys #edmontonoilers #mcdavid #losangeles #nhlplayoffs"

3,379 likes, 27 comments - thehockeygenius on April 21, 2025: "Bro can't stop a beachball ️ #hockeyplayer #trailerparkboys #edmontonoilers #mcdavid #losangeles #nhlplayoffs".

www.instagram.com

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I guess this was posted way before last night's game. At least comments saying as much.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The only thing he saves consistently is that mustache.