The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, with Quinton Byfield scoring his second goal of the game to secure the victory. Byfield’s game-winning goal came on a wrist shot from the right circle with just 1:41 remaining in overtime, giving the Kings a strong start in their four-game regular-season series against the Oilers. The win was significant as Edmonton had eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs in the previous three seasons.
The Kings’ offensive effort was led by Byfield, Warren Foegele, and Tanner Jeannot, with Foegele contributing a goal and two assists. Darcy Kuemper also played a critical role in net, making 24 saves to help the Kings extend their home winning streak to six games. The Oilers’ offense was powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored on a power play, alongside goals from Kasperi Kapanen and Viktor Arvidsson. Stuart Skinner matched Kuemper’s performance with 24 saves for Edmonton, which saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
Los Angeles made strategic offseason adjustments, bringing in players like Foegele and Jeannot to bolster their physicality and better compete with Edmonton’s style of play. Playing alongside Byfield, the duo was instrumental in the victory, combining for seven points and achieving a plus-7 rating. The Kings also limited Edmonton’s potent power play, allowing only two opportunities for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oilers’ special teams.
In overtime, Tanner Jeannot’s defensive play against Evan Bouchard shifted momentum in favor of the Kings. By taking possession and forcing Edmonton’s top stars, McDavid and Draisaitl, to expend energy on defense, Los Angeles created the opportunity for Byfield’s decisive goal. Both McDavid and Draisaitl extended their individual 10-game point streaks, with McDavid achieving his 16th streak of at least 10 games, second only to Wayne Gretzky’s 31 in NHL history.
Looking ahead, both teams are set for action on Sunday, with the Oilers visiting the Anaheim Ducks and the Kings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings will aim to build on their impressive performance, while Edmonton seeks to rebound and maintain its strong overall record when leading after two periods.
