Line adjustments ignite the Oilers' surge in the third period

Curtis Comeau | Getty Images

During the second intermission, the Oilers made adjustments to their top six forwards. Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry were elevated to Connor McDavid's line, while McDavid's previous wingers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, were reassigned to the second line. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took on the role of center between Zach Hyman and Evander Kane. This strategic shuffle proved effective as the Oilers sought to equalize the game. McDavid and Draisaitl assisted on Evan Bouchard's initial goal, which deflected off Drew Doughty before finding its way past Darcy Kuemper. They also contributed to Bouchard's equalizing goal after Quinton Byfield was unable to clear the puck from the zone. Draisaitl concluded the match with one goal and three assists, extending his playoff point streak against the Kings to an impressive 35 points (17 goals and 18 assists) over 18 games. The Kings' ongoing struggle to maintain leads is concerning, and Byfield will likely wish for a second chance. As the Kings attempted to fend off the Oilers and a sixth attacker following the removal of Calvin Pickard, Byfield received the puck and seemed to have ample time to clear it from his zone to consume more of the remaining seconds. However, instead of promptly chipping the puck off the wall or lifting it into the air, Byfield took two strides first. Bouchard seized the opportunity, retrieving the puck from Byfield to maintain offensive pressure and ultimately scored the game-tying goal past Kuemper on the stick side.

This marked the third time in the first four games that the Kings squandered a lead in the third period. The Oilers had previously rallied from a 5-2 deficit in Game 1 to level the score before ultimately losing in the final moments of regulation. In Game 3, the Kings also faltered, as Kane equalized with 6:42 left, followed by Bouchard taking the lead just 10 seconds later on a power play after a failed goalie interference challenge.