The Kings Have Arrived: L.A. Outplays, Outgrinds, and Outwits the Oilers in Commanding 2-0 Series Lead
The Los Angeles Kings aren’t just going toe-to-toe with the heavily favored Edmonton Oilers — they’re owning them. Through two games of the 2025 NHL Playoffs, the Kings have seized a 2-0 series lead in dominant fashion, silencing the skeptics and sending a clear message: this team is done playing little brother.
L.A. has brought swagger, grit, and fearlessness to the series, completely flipping the script against an Oilers squad that’s long been treated as a Western Conference juggernaut. The Kings aren’t just winning — they’re setting the tone, breaking Edmonton’s rhythm, and doing it with an edge that says, we’ve been waiting for this moment.
Let’s break down why the Kings have looked unstoppable to start this series.
Supporting Cast Turns into Headliners
Everyone knew veterans like Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault needed to show up big — and they have. But what’s elevated the Kings is the emergence of their next wave of stars.
Adrian Kempe has been nothing short of sensational. In Game 2, he torched Edmonton with two goals, two assists, and eight shots on goal, bringing his playoff-leading total to seven points. He’s not just scoring — he’s dictating games with pace and power.
Danault’s clutch Game 1 performance, including the dramatic game-winner with 44 seconds left after the Kings nearly blew a 4-0 lead, showed this team’s resilience. Where past Kings squads may have folded, this group dug in and closed.
But perhaps the most impressive part? The depth. Kevin Fiala, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Quinton Byfield have all stepped up in key moments. One night it’s the vets. The next, it’s the kids. And through it all, Kopitar — at 37 years old — remains a pillar. He’s tied for second in playoff points (five), and his leadership and two-way play are quietly controlling the ice every shift.
So dominant have the Kings been that Edmonton is already considering a goalie change, with Stuart Skinner likely to be replaced by Calvin Pickard in Game 3. The Kings have not only cracked the Oilers’ defense — they’ve shaken its very foundation.
Kings Playing Chess, Oilers Playing Catch-Up
The psychological warfare in this series can’t be ignored. The Kings aren’t just beating Edmonton physically — they’re playing mind games.
Take Game 2. Kempe drops four points and doesn’t even crack a smile. This isn’t a Cinderella story. This is business. The Kings came in with intent and have executed with surgical precision.
From the puck drop, L.A. has controlled the tempo. They’re neutralizing Connor McDavid, forcing him wide, closing gaps, and punishing him with body checks. They’re frustrating the Oilers at every turn.
And it’s working.
You can see it in the mistakes. Edmonton is making careless passes, taking undisciplined penalties, and losing their composure. Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse spent more time chirping officials and throwing late hits than making a difference on the scoreboard. The Kings have baited them into a style of play they’re not built for — a grinding, physical war of attrition.
Look at the body language: McDavid with his head in his hands, Draisaitl pacing, the bench in stunned silence. This isn’t just about systems. It’s about belief — and the Oilers are starting to lose theirs.
Crypto.com Arena: Home-Ice Advantage Done Right
For the first time since 2016, the Kings entered the playoffs with home-ice advantage — and it’s making a world of difference.
Crypto.com Arena has transformed into a cauldron of energy. The Kings fed off that energy all season (posting a league-best 31-6-4 home record), and it’s only intensified in the playoffs. This isn’t just about the crowd being loud — it’s about the Kings feeling invincible on their own ice.
They’re skating faster, hitting harder, and playing smarter in front of their fans. Edmonton hasn’t found any rhythm in L.A., and that’s no accident. The Kings’ best moments — from penalty kills to key goals to physical dominance — have all happened at home.
This is the type of atmosphere that changes series. The type of belief that elevates contenders to championship
The Verdict: This Isn’t an Upset. It’s a Statement.
The Kings haven’t just caught Edmonton off guard. They’ve seized control and planted a flag. Up 2-0 with the series shifting to Canada, all the pressure now rests on the Oilers — a team that looks more like prey than predator.
Los Angeles? They’re loose, confident, and laser-focused. And they’re not done yet.
