In Edmonton Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings lost an opportunity to separate from the Anaheim Ducks and St Louis Blues in the Western Conference playoff race.
Instead, they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Oilers and are now bunched up with the 
Ducks and Blues in a classic death match.
Connor McDavid struck twice for the Oilers to take over the scoring lead in the NHL.
“I hope he gets it and he continues to produce the way he has,” Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s got a shot at the scoring title and his teammates will try and help him get there while we try to win games. The one great thing about him and him being the captain is that he always puts the team ahead of himself.”
Pontus Aberg also scored for the Oilers who improved to 34-36-5.
“It’s tough to get down early,” LA head coach John Stevens said. “… but at the end of the day you don’t want to start against anybody down chasing the game.”
Jake Muzzin and Jeff Carter were the Kings’ goal scorers.
“Chasing games on the road is tough. We had some chances and didn’t score,” Muzzin said. “I don’t think we were as prepared as we should have been emotionally in this game and I don’t know why. We got desperate a little too late, we weren’t able to capitalize and able to come back.”
The Kings dropped to 41-28-7 and need points now as the number of games dwindle.
“I was on the ice, and when you let in a goal on the second shift of the game it’s not the start you wanted. We had to climb up hill right from the get-go and it makes the game a lot tougher,” Kings’ Tanner Pearson said of the bad start for LA.
[WATCH:Â All Kings vs. Oilers highlights]
Jonathan Quick made 24 saves in taking the loss.
“It would have been an awesome trip getting this win,” Muzzin said. “We had some tough games and a tough back-to-back. [Goalie Jack Campbell] did well in Winnipeg to get us a point [2-1 overtime loss]. We got some points out of this trip (2-1-1) and we’re going to have to get some more coming up at home.”
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