Viktor Arvidsson’s clutch tying goal with 1:21 remaining in regulation propelled the Los Angeles Kings to a crucial 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, securing their spot in third place in the Pacific Division and setting up a playoff rematch with the Edmonton Oilers.
This victory, coupled with the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights’ loss to Anaheim, propelled the Kings into their third consecutive postseason clash with the Oilers, whom they had fallen to in their previous two first-round encounters.
Los Angeles finished the regular season with 99 points, edging out the Knights by a single point.
The game against Chicago saw the Kings squander a two-goal lead in the third period, only to rally back and force overtime, knowing that a regulation loss would have meant facing the top-seeded Dallas Stars in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Captain Anže Kopitar acknowledged the awareness of the broader playoff implications during the game, but the team managed to refocus and secure the crucial victory.
Arvidsson’s second goal of the night, scored during a 6-on-4 advantage with goalie Cam Talbot pulled for an extra attacker and Chicago’s Philipp Kurashev in the penalty box, proved pivotal in leveling the score.
Adrian Kempe then sealed the victory just six seconds into overtime with an unassisted goal, solidifying the Kings’ third-place finish by a single point and turning their attention to the upcoming series against Edmonton.
The desire for redemption against the Oilers was palpable among the Kings players, with Quinton Byfield expressing the team’s determination to overcome their previous playoff defeats and emerge victorious in this anticipated matchup.
