Game Thread: G4 WCQF 2-1 Kings @ Oilers 4/27/25

[Kings4OT]

I'll say, strategically, EDM did have their D make quick decisions. They weren't letting LA get any forecheck going. But beyond that, their ability to hang in there at the attacking blue line is blowing my mind. From early on, they have decided that they are going to step up there at all times. No bailing whatsoever.

Kings were running 3 healthy lines in the first 2 games, but they seem to be limiting their lines so much now. And the top 4 defensemen played that whole game. Moverare barely played, and Clarke was very limited. I was thinking maybe McDavid and Draisaitl would get tired, but not with how these lines are running. And seeing Lewis in there is so rough. Just the old man, who is 7 years past his prime.

How LA recovers from this, is they probably won't. Feels like Vancouver/Boston finals 2011. Vancouver took first two, but when they went back to Boston, it was such a different animal. Vancouver still managed to win Game 5 too. Smoked again in Game 6, and skunked at home in Game 7 to lose the cup. Just has the vibes all over this series.

You always want to win, but you live by at least leaving it out there. This was such a "meh" performance back to back (3 out of 4 games really) and is so deflating. The only thing that was dreading more than this was if Kane or Perry ended it (And Maybe Nurse to a lesser degree).

Is Tanner Jeanot dead by the way? Never an update or anything.

Kings played further and further back, holding the blueline only looks amazing because playing back allows a forcheck so LA D cant make s play...its a scrum...fight fight fight on D and then gassed and cant go forward...toss it up and prey....then repeat...im to mad and tired to get into why it looked good but is only due to how LA was playing back

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Also missing Kuzmenko magic. Saw some videos on him and the guy was saying he's a world-beater or healthy scratch. Hoping that top line, that was leading the playoffs in scoring, figures it out fast. Moore was getting bitched around in the 3rd and OT, but that's what happens when you're undersized. He was okay in this game and obviously had the big 1st goal. That line was effective at times. Fogoele obviously the 2nd goal.

Tough sledding after those guys. Fiala with a pretty solid game. Reminds me of Arvidsson missing chances in previous years too. If he had buried that one in the 3rd, we are having a whole different convo. Rings it off the post and here we are.

 

[Kings4OT]

Seriously, Kings should be onto round 2 and instead are gonna lose to Edm again

 

[Kings4OT]

Also missing Kuzmenko magic. Saw some videos on him and the guy was saying he's a world-beater or healthy scratch. Hoping that top line, that was leading the playoffs in scoring, figures it out fast. Moore was getting bitched around in the 3rd and OT, but that's what happens when you're undersized. He was okay in this game and obviously had the big 1st goal. That line was effective at times. Fogoele obviously the 2nd goal.

Tough sledding after those guys. Fiala with a pretty solid game. Reminds me of Arvidsson missing chances in previous years too. If he had buried that one in the 3rd, we are having a whole different convo. Rings it off the post and here we are.

Ya, Kuz non existent when la playing back and isnt sure what hes doing the few times they got into the o zone....hes like what should I do...should i be running back to centerice instead of shoot??

 

[Kings4OT]

Hoping they show jill before i fall asleep, wanna hear how good they were doing playing back again

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I still think Kings need another goal or two. To come out and defend only would be madness. Need some sort of forecheck and need to bury chances on the counter, because you know EDM activating all 5 guys on the rush

I hate how we are sitting here in this madness. I hate so much about this right now.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Spittin' Chiclets on Instagram: "Only one man can save the Oilers…SHAQ HYMAN : @nhlontnt"

9,251 likes, 50 comments - spittinchiclets on April 27, 2025: "Only one man can save the Oilers…SHAQ HYMAN : @nhlontnt".

www.instagram.com

I also blame this segment on "Shaq Hyman" in the 2nd Intermission

 

[Kings4OT]

Spittin' Chiclets on Instagram: "Only one man can save the Oilers…SHAQ HYMAN : @nhlontnt"

9,251 likes, 50 comments - spittinchiclets on April 27, 2025: "Only one man can save the Oilers…SHAQ HYMAN : @nhlontnt".

www.instagram.com

I also blame this segment on "Shaq Hyman" in the 2nd Intermission

That was sooo bad.

 

[Kings4OT]

Listened to Foegle and he says just didnt get the bounce, Dunno at least said maybe played back to much, Jill basically says just a couple missed opprotunities.


While yes, you have to capitalize on them, your not going too. No team that has won has ever done so without mistakes or missed opportunities. Winners play to win, it was sickening to listen to those interviews. I firmly believe if LA plays their game, rolls their lines this series would be over. The fact they are stubborn and think what they did was ok, tells you all you need to know. Sure you might get lucky and win playing back but those are very few if any in any sport....it always end poorly against a team pushing to win. These Kings should be embarrassed but they arent. Instead they just make a few excuses as to why they have been MASSIVELY outshot and OUTSCORED from 45 minutes in to the end. Everyone else can see it. Play to win and this is not even a conversation, but they are trying to play not to lose and they just dont see it. Should have played everyone a bit more, kept legs a bit more fresh, pushed to win for 60 minutes. Not playing everyone is a big problem to. Afraid they will make a mistake? Well the vets made mistakes all over, some for no reason, others because they where exhausted. You can shorten your bench some sure....but not for 2 fucking periods. Play those guys while you have time for a mistake. If your playing your game everyone is on board and knows what to do. This is so bad and pathetic..
Im pissed and really sports mever really bothered me, for some reason throwing away games to stupidity is getting to me. If this is their mentality i probably dont bother watching anymore past this season afyer the Oil bend them over and they sit back and take it with a smile. If this is what they want to do, not worth my time or $$.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Yeah Hiller is getting roasted in the comments everywhere. I've only seen the clips of his interview but he doesn't think anything has been wrong with their approach in the late game. Make Knobloch look like a genius. Hiller's main thing I liked over McLlelan was his ability to change stuff up. This is beyond frustrating.

It's weird because I don't know that many hockey people, so they have no concept of what's going on. Can't explain to them how important this series is for the franchise.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

That was sooo bad.

That clown crew spent more time goofing off than actually discussing the game. I didn't even know Shaq was part of their program.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Yeah Hiller is getting roasted in the comments everywhere. I've only seen the clips of his interview but he doesn't think anything has been wrong with their approach in the late game. Make Knobloch look like a genius. Hiller's main thing I liked over McLlelan was his ability to change stuff up. This is beyond frustrating.

He's getting toasted, and rightfully so. Three damn years of the same prevent defense strategy isn't enough to know it doesn't work? This time he added in shortening the bench to 13 players (9F/4D) most of the game taxing them physically and gassed for the third period and beyond if needed. The Kings looked like they were skating in mud during the OT for sure and then barely crossing the red line and dropping back in the third. Prevent defense does exactly that, prevents you from winning.

Gets bailed out by a fluky Dunno goal in G1 to get a win after having a 4 goal lead, loses both G3-4 in the third after having multiple 1-2 goal leads but letting them crawl back in again. Three of the four games they have given up leads in the third, doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that strategy doesn't work.

And this is absolutely baffling regarding TOI, borderline horrific:

Helenius 1:44
Mallott 2:27
Lewis 5:19 - cringed when I saw he was on L1 with Kopitar and Kempe replacing Kuzmenko in the third
Clarke 11:58
Moverare 2:26
Kuzmenko 19:38 - barely saw any time in the third

Meanwhile he put some major miles on the other guys, this really affects the older guys like Kopitar, Doughty, Edmundson, etc:

Kopitar 25:33
Kempe 24:20
Fiala 27:13 - if he scores on that one in the third instead of post it's probably lights out at 4-2
Dunno 27:49
Buster 28:31 - led all forwards, more on him below
Dexter 24:26
Doughty 32:57
Edmundson 36:16 - led all defenders, dude is almost 32. Insane
Gavrikov 31:40
Anderson 34:14

It's weird because I don't know that many hockey people, so they have no concept of what's going on. Can't explain to them how important this series is for the franchise.

This series is huge for the Kings and a piece of their legacy, they absolutely must win this series or else. I believed if the Kings came back tied it won't end well for LA, and right now that is looking more and more likely unless Jill opens up his eyes and does something very different than what he is doing.

This ties into Buster, he was supposed to be a franchise altering pick. Well he may just be that but not in a good way with his stupid decision to not flip out the puck or chip it off the boards. If the Kings lose this series with the best roster that has given them a chance in four years, no one will forget what he did.

Jill's answer to that and even Stoll post game said it was the right play (Jill) and it was a good stick check by Bouchard without taking a penalty, what can you do. how about the safe play with under :40 seconds remaining instead of trying to get on the board? His situational awareness and processing is unbelievably dumb or slow, take your pick.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Stole this off Teh Blog. He had options galore to just get it out and kill some more time, you have three Oilers in way deep that would need to tag up and look at the time left.

If he lobs it or chips it out that forces one of the Edmonton D to skate back and go after it. With Buster's wheels he would be chasing that defender down, pulling every King back up to the top of their defensive zone or in the neutral zone and killing even more time.

Instead he wanted to get a goal because he has been a non factor in this series so he could flex in front of the Edmonton crowd. Can't have the brother on the other bench get all the props.

No way in hell that was the right play Jill or a good play by Bouchard Stoll. It was a flat out selfish play by Buster and there is zero way to justify it.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I usually check in on this show. Nothing crazy, but he does a good job or sort of fielding emails and comments to see what the overall mood is. I think he nails it with this being an actual fan vs leaning into his media credentials. Like how media people don't usually want to rock the boat and piss off the people they work with/for.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Stole this off Teh Blog. He had options galore to just get it out and kill some more time, you have three Oilers in way deep that would need to tag up and look at the time left.

If he lobs it or chips it out that forces one of the Edmonton D to skate back and go after it. With Buster's wheels he would be chasing that defender down, pulling every King back up to the top of their defensive zone or in the neutral zone and killing even more time.

Instead he wanted to get a goal because he has been a non factor in this series so he could flex in front of the Edmonton crowd. Can't have the brother on the other bench get all the props.

No way in hell that was the right play Jill or a good play by Bouchard Stoll. It was a flat out selfish play by Buster and there is zero way to justify it.

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It's the worst play in Kings history. Honestly. I'm just as mad at the whole situation as I was yesterday. If he just chips it out, Bouchard probably takes the body and it's a penalty.

This wasn't a one-off though. EDM was taking no time to make decisions in their own zone, and just move it forward. And on the attacking blue line, they decided to hang in there no matter what, not just late in the game. Kings mounting zero counterattack was just absolutely retarded. There are no other words for how they have come out in 3 of 4 3rd periods. Mentally challenged in their inability to see the issue.

 

[Kings4OT]

If i was owner or GM, i would Bench Jill for the next game....

 

[PuckinUgly57]

It's the worst play in Kings history. Honestly. I'm just as mad at the whole situation as I was yesterday. If he just chips it out, Bouchard probably takes the body and it's a penalty.

I don't know whether or not it's the worst play in Kings history, I'd have to go back quite a ways to figure that out. But what it is is the possibility of being an altering play for the franchise moving forward especially if the Kings lose the series. It was a really, really bad play.

Quick's bungle behind the net against St. Louis in G1 of the 2013 WCQF is tough to watch with Steen scoring the SH goal in OT to win it 2-1 but those teams were way more resilient than what we have seen with this group the last 4 years in LA. Back then they'd just shake it off , go out and win the next one. They weren't mentally rattled and had that killer instinct.

This iteration, I don't have the confidence in them that they can do that which has showed this series alone let alone the other three against Edmonton and Buster's bonehead decision didn't help matters any.

This wasn't a one-off though. EDM was taking no time to make decisions in their own zone, and just move it forward. And on the attacking blue line, they decided to hang in there no matter what, not just late in the game. Kings mounting zero counterattack was just absolutely retarded. There are no other words for how they have come out in 3 of 4 3rd periods. Mentally challenged in their inability to see the issue.

That's on the coach for mismanaging roster utilization and playing time. The Kings hit 105 points with guys like Spence, Helenius, Clarke, etc. doing what they do, why change it up now when the stakes actually mean something?

 

[Kings4OT]

That's on the coach for mismanaging roster utilization and playing time. The Kings hit 105 points with guys like Spence, Helenius, Clarke, etc. doing what they do, why change it up now when the stakes actually mean something?

Exactly, its a run what ya brung deal. If your at the end of the game with a lead, sure shorten your bench to guys that defend better or dont make blunders. If you need s goal, put in you best chance to get puck on net....its pretty easy really...being successful is hard enough without hamstringing your guys