The LA Kings dropped to 0-3-2 to begin the 2026-27 season, as they fell by a 4-1 final score against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday evening at Crypto.com Arena.
Edmonton opened the scoring midway through the first period, with their top line taking advantage of a dropped Kings stick in their own zone. Forward Connor McDavid went to work, around the outside, before he darted towards the net and dished the puck to forward Leon Draisaitl on his left, where the German winger buried his fourth goal of the season for an early 1-0 lead.
Just 60 seconds later, the Oilers took advantage of a Drew Doughty tripping penalty to open up a two-goal advantage. Skating on the power play, McDavid flew down the left wing, past defenseman Mikey Anderson, before his shot on net was kicked aside by goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The rebound went directly to forward Vasily Podkolzin in the slot and the Russian winger buried his sixth goal of the season for the 2-0 lead.
The Kings came up empty on their best shift of the opening period and Edmonton made them pay the other way. Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson flipped the puck high out of his zone, with McDavid coming off the bench. The Edmonton captain collected the puck on the fly, moved in alone and deked to the backhand, sliding the puck around Kuemper for his third point of the opening period and a 3-0 lead.
After 20 minutes, the Kings made a goaltending change, with Anton Forsberg stepping in between the pipes.
The Kings found a lifeline late in the second period, as defenseman Brandt Clarke scored his first goal of the season to get the hosts on the board. Clarke used his edges to collect possession at the top of the offensive zone, before he got a shot through from the center point. Clarke’s shot deflected off the arm of Edmonton netminder Devon Levi and in, pulling Los Angeles within 3-1 through 4-0 minutes of play.
The Oilers hit the empty net, with just over two minutes remaining, to seal the game.
Hear from Clarke, forward Trevor Moore and Head Coach Peter Laviolette after tonight’s game.
