The Edmonton Oilers continue to embody their reputation as a team that thrives under pressure, staging a dramatic comeback to tie their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings at 2-2 with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 4 on April 28, 2025, at Rogers Place. As detailed in related coverage by NHL.com and The Athletic, the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period, showcasing the resilience that has defined their recent postseason runs and reinforcing why they remain a formidable opponent, especially against the Kings.
The Oilers’ Game 4 win was a microcosm of their erratic yet tenacious nature. Defenseman Evan Bouchard, a polarizing figure due to his high-risk, high-reward style, encapsulated the team’s volatility. In the second period, his turnover directly led to a Kevin Fiala goal that gave the Kings a 3-1 lead, a moment that drew groans from the Rogers Place crowd of 18,347. However, Bouchard redeemed himself in the third, scoring twice—first at 6:52 to pull the Oilers within one, and then with a one-timer with just 27 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 3-3, his second straight multi-goal game of the series. ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski noted Bouchard’s clutch performance, writing, “Bouchard’s game-tying goal was a laser, showcasing why the Oilers stick with him despite his occasional gaffes.” Bouchard now has 4 goals and 3 assists in the series, though his 4 giveaways in Game 1 remain a point of concern, as highlighted in The Athletic’s series analysis.
The game-winner came in overtime, with Leon Draisaitl tapping in a rebound on the power play at 18:18 of the extra frame, sending Oilers fans into a frenzy. Draisaitl, the 2020 Hart Trophy winner and 2024 Rocket Richard Trophy recipient with 62 goals in the regular season, has been a postseason force, tallying 3 goals and 4 assists through 4 games against the Kings. His OT goal, off a rebound from a Connor McDavid shot, underscored the Oilers’ ability to capitalize on special teams—their power play ranks 2nd in the playoffs at 33.3%, per NHL.com. McDavid, the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, spoke post-game about the team’s mindset, saying, “There’s a strong belief in here. A strong belief that we’re never out. People are doubting us, we’re putting ourselves in bad spots, but we’re working. We’re digging our way out,” as quoted by ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark.
The Oilers’ comeback was reminiscent of their resilience in past postseasons. In the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, they trailed the Florida Panthers 3-0 but forced a Game 7, ultimately falling 2-1 despite a valiant effort. Against the Kings in this series, they erased a 5-2 deficit in Game 1, tying the score at 5-5 with goals from Zach Hyman and Draisaitl in the final 5 minutes, only to lose 6-5 on a Phillip Danault goal with 1:12 remaining. That loss, coupled with a 4-2 defeat in Game 2, put Edmonton in a 2-0 hole, but they’ve since won two straight, including a 5-3 victory in Game 3 where Bouchard also scored twice. This marks the third straight year the Oilers have faced the Kings in the playoffs, eliminating them in 2022 (4-3) and 2023 (4-2), a history that adds extra weight to the series, as noted in The Athletic’s series preview.
Edmonton’s stars have been the difference. McDavid, who missed 9 games in the 2024-25 regular season due to a lower-body injury, has 2 goals and 6 assists in the series, while Draisaitl’s 7 points lead the team. Their ability to perform in clutch moments—McDavid’s primary assist on Draisaitl’s OT winner, his 4th point of the night—has kept the Oilers alive. However, their depth has also stepped up, with Hyman contributing 3 goals and Stuart Skinner posting a .914 save percentage in Game 4, stopping 34 of 37 shots, a marked improvement from his .890 series average in 2024 against the Kings, per The Athletic.
The Kings, meanwhile, are feeling the pressure. Despite a strong start to the series, their depth has faltered—Fiala’s goal was his 2nd of the series, but Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe have combined for just 3 points. Goaltender Cam Talbot, who stopped 29 of 33 shots in Game 4, has a 3.25 GAA in the series, below his regular-season form (2.50 GAA). Los Angeles has now been eliminated by Edmonton in three straight postseasons, and with the series shifting to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5 on April 29 at 10 p.m. ET, the Kings face a must-win scenario. NHL.com lists the Oilers as slight favorites at -135, with the Kings at +115, reflecting Edmonton’s momentum.
The Oilers’ ability to maintain this momentum will be key. Their comeback in Game 4, coupled with their history of resilience—trailing in 8 of their 14 playoff wins in 2024, per ESPN Stats & Info—suggests they can handle adversity. However, their penchant for falling into early deficits (they’ve trailed in 3 of 4 games this series) remains a concern, as does Bouchard’s inconsistency on the back end. If McDavid and Draisaitl continue to lead, and Skinner holds steady in net, the Oilers have a strong chance to close out the Kings in Los Angeles. For the Kings, Game 5 is a chance to rewrite their recent playoff history against Edmonton—but they’ll need to match the Oilers’ desperation to do so.
