Kuemper nets fifth shutout as Kings blank Oilers 3-0 – Edmonton

Kevin Fiala scored his 30th goal of the season, Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves in his fifth shutout of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Saturday.

“We had some opportunities in the second period that we couldn’t capitalize on,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “But the chances weren’t a lot tonight — a lot of credit to them. And even with everyone in our line up, it will still be tough to generate chances; just because of the way they play.”

“They play hard in the D-Zone and they take those second opportunities away from you, but when you get that one chance you’ve got to make it count,” Oilers forward Corey Perry said after the loss.

Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor Lewis also scored for the Kings, who can secure a playoff berth if Vegas beats Calgary later Saturday.

With the win, Los Angeles closed within a point of Pacific Division-leading Vegas — pending the outcome of the Golden Knights’ game against the Flames — and four points ahead of third-place Edmonton.

Calvin Pickard made 26 saves for the Oilers, who had won three in a row.

It was Edmonton’s first game since centre Leon Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury against San Jose on Thursday that will keep the 50-goal scorer out in the short term. Draisaitl is expected to return before the playoffs begin on April 19.

After a scoreless first period, Fiala put the Kings ahead for good midway through the second when he scored on the rebound of a shot by Alex Laferriere.

TAKEAWAYS

Oilers: Trent Frederic made his Edmonton debut. The forward was acquired from Boston in a three-team trade on March 4 and had been sidelined because of an ankle injury.

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Kings: The first line of Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe and Kuzmenko has combined for 17 goals and 22 assists in the 16 games since Kuzmenko arrived for a 2027 third-round pick.

KEY MOMENT

What looked to be the first career goal for AHL workman Jeff Malott early in the second was overturned because of an Edmonton coach’s challenge. However, the electric offensive play sparked the Kings to take charge of the game.

KEY STAT

Fiala and Kempe are the first pair of Kings to each score 30 goals in a season since Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown in 2007-08.

UP NEXT

Oilers: Visit the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

Kings: Host the Seattle Kraken on Monday.

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