Oilers thrash Kings, 8-2 Oilers take 2-1 series lead

In Los Angeles, the Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane hit for a hat trick on Friday in an 8-2 thumping of the Kings in Game 3 of their series.

Edmonton took a 2-1 lead with the win and restored home ice advantage.

Game 4 is Sunday in LA.

“We’re just finding ways to win games,” the Oilers Connor McDavid said. “That’s all that matters this time of the year. It doesn’t matter how it looks or how it happens.”

Mike Smith made 44 saves in the Oilers win.

Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault were the LA strikers.

“That’s a big slap in the face tonight, and we got to regroup,” Danault said. “Luckily, it’s only 2-1 in the series, so we got to regroup and step up next game.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman hit for doubles in the Edmonton win.

“Any time you can come into someone’s building and get the jump on them, I think it’s huge,” McDavid said. “I thought they had a great first period. We didn’t deserve to be up two but held on.”

Leon Draisaitl had a single marker in the win, his goal put the Oilers up, 1-0, in the first period.

After Draisaitl scored, Hyman and Kane added a pair of goals each for a 5-0 lead into the middle frame.

“He (Kane) finds a way to put it in the back of the net,” McDavid said. “He’s hard on the forecheck, physical, and he seems to be in the right spot at the right time.”

Kane finished his hat trick late in the third period for the 8-2 final.

“I think our 5-on-5 game has gotten a lot better,” Kane said. “Obviously, our special teams have been good throughout these three games. I think it’s that time of year where you want to raise your game to a different level, and I think there’s a lot of guys doing that right now.”

Jonathan Quick got the start for the Kings, he yielded four goals, and made 13 saves before getting the hook in the middle frame.

Cal Petersen finished the with 16 saves, surrendering four goals as well.

“We got to have more confidence,” Danault said. “We’re a good team. We’re not in the playoffs for no reason. We also have to learn. We have to play better under pressure, you know. Tape-to-tape execution’s got to be better, but every area has got to be better. Defensively as well. Neutral zone, O-zone, everywhere.”