The Edmonton Oilers have won their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings after winning Game 6 at Rogers Place on Thursday night. This was the fourth time these two teams have faced each other in the first round going back to 2022, with the Oilers emerging victorious all four times. Fourth Time’s The Charm? Many fans and experts thought this year was the year the Kings would finally be able to exorcise their demons. They had the best home record in the NHL this regular season at 35–9–4. Finishing second in the Pacific Division, the Kings also earned themselves home ice advantage. For the eight periods of this series it looked like L.A. was the better team led by Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, and Kevin Fiala. All that changed with six minutes left in Game 3. When Evander Kane scored the tying goal, and after being reviewed for a kicking motion, the Kings challenged for goaltender interference. It was deemed a good goal, and Evan Bouchard would score on the ensuing power play to give the Oilers the lead. After similar circumstances in Game 4, another dramatic comeback, and an overtime victory, the Oilers turned the series into a best-of-3 when they easily could have been down 3–1. Going back to California, the Oilers had a dominant performance to set the stage for game six back in Edmonton. No Messing Around This game got off to a hot start, if you missed the beginning, you missed a lot. Quinton Byfield scored for the Kings just 1:19 into the first period. However, as our boys have proven time and time again this series, they aren’t scared of playing catch-up. Just under two minutes later, Adam Henrique deflected a shot from Connor Brown, tying the game. Goaltending has been a topic of conversation for Oilers fans not just throughout this series but for a few years now. Game six was no exception, but this time for both teams. 22-year-old Brandt Clarke provided the Kings with an immediate response to the Henrique goal, giving the Kings a 2–1 lead. However, it didn’t last long either, because the Oilers struck on the power play, one former #1 pick to another. Connor McDavid hit Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, with a beautiful cross-ice pass, and the latter hit the top corner, once again tying the game. It was 2–2 at the 14:05 mark of the first period. There wasn’t even a commercial break yet, and there had been four goals scored. This game, and the series, was an absolute track meet, somewhat uncharacteristic of the Kings, considering they had given up the second fewest goals against this season. After a tip-in goal by Zach Hyman, the Oilers had their first lead of the night. I guess Shaquille O’Neal’s cameo on the TNT broadcast this week as “Shaq Hyman” worked! With Hyman scoring his second of the playoffs and it was a big one. Not The Usual Suspects The back-and-forth pace continued throughout the second period, but it wasn’t until the five-minute mark that Darnell Nurse scored his first of the series to put Edmonton up by two. Knowing Nurse was behind him, Mattias Janmark spread his legs to allow the puck to go to Nurse, and he walked into the slot and put it in the back of the net. 1:36 later, Trent Frederic scored a lucky tip-in to put the Oilers up by three. It was Frederic’s first goal in the blue and orange, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. But if you think they’re out of the woods, think again. NOT SO FAST… Before the end of the second period Jordan Spence scored his first of the playoffs, getting the Kings back into the game and making Rogers Place just a bit nervous. This time, the roles were reversed and L.A. would have to erase a third period deficit. The Oilers were locking things down pretty well and it looked like they were going to cruise into round two but it wouldn’t be Edmonton versus L.A. without a mini heart attack as Kings captain Anze Kopitar scored to make it a one goal game. Which was a massive goal because there was 55 seconds and the Kings big boys like Kempe, Fiala, and Kopitar had been out there for what felt like an eternity because of the goal, they were able to call a time-out and rest those guys for one final push. However, Connor Brown scored the dagger for the Oilers putting them back up by two and icing the series. Another Familiar Foe The Oilers defeat the Kings for the fourth consecutive year, and their reward is a rematch from round two in 2023. The Vegas Golden Knights which is always interesting. McDavid was picked first overall in 2015 and in round two he’ll be going against the guy who went second, Jack Eichel. Ever since his departure from the Buffalo Sabres he’s put Vegas on another level winning the Stanley Cup in 2023, and has turned himself into one of the best players in the NHL. Oil Country: you better get ready for yet another battle of a series in Round 2.