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The Collapse of the Kings: How L.A. Let Control Slip From Its Fingers — and Why Third-Period Collapse Is Hurting Them

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Two games. Two third-period leads. Two stunning collapses.

The Los Angeles Kings are staring into the void of a dangerous 2–2 series tie with the Edmonton Oilers after what will perhaps be remembered as one of the most devastating and epic back-to-back collapses in franchise playoff history.

Instead of coming back to Crypto.com Arena with a commanding 3-1 series lead to try to close out the series, the Kings now have to fight to regain momentum in a best-of-three sprint — all because they couldn't close out what they opened.

However, this isn’t a surprise, as the Kings are the worst road team among all eight Western Conference playoff teams. But, even though they’ve struggled on the road in the season, they’ve had leads in games 3 and 4 at Edmonton. 

In game 3, after trailing 2-0 early, the Kings fought back and took a 4- 3 lead off of Trevor Moore sprinting down the ice in a one-on-one battle and scoring. LA would hold onto this lead comfortably until the 6:44 mark when they gave up two goals in 10 seconds and got outscored 4-0 in the 3rd period. 

Game 4 was a bigger choke job because the Kings were in control of the game for most of the time, until the third period, when they conceded two goals and went into overtime, ultimately losing on a game-winning goal by Leon Draisaitl. 

Not just that, but the Kings were held to zero goals, going scoreless after their 3-1 lead in the second period. Even though both teams were struggling to score after the score was tied 3-3, there was just a feeling that Edmonton was going to take this game because they were hustling, sprinting, and wanted it more in the final moments. 

The Oilers were moving the puck around and had so many chances to score early in overtime, but were just missing their shots. Edmonton outshot LA 48-41, proving to be the more physical and aggressive team last night in their efforts to score goals. 

For Los Angeles, these back-to-back road losses are not just painful. They're exhibiting a disturbing pattern that has defined their playoffs: third-period meltdowns, defensive play with the lead, and a failure to match the sense of urgency of an Oilers team that can smell blood in the water.

A Golden Opportunity Slips Away

Again, they became passive. Again, they stood by and watched as Edmonton's suffocating pressure broke down their defense. Evan Bouchard tied the game on a blue-line one-timer early in the third, and Leon Draisaitl finished it off with a power-play goal in overtime after a Kings penalty that cost them the game.

What was meant to be a commanding 3–1 series lead is now in jeopardy — all onus now squarely on Los Angeles.

Third-Period Miscues the Story

The first four games of the series have witnessed the third period controlled by Edmonton. The Kings have been outscored 7-0 in the third period, outshot 32– 14, and are increasingly uncertain with the puck in big-game situations.

That is the biggest story for this series, as it is split 2-2 heading into Crypto.com Arena. The Kings have become a lesser version of themselves in the third period on the road compared to the first and second, where they’ve started off looking great and building up leads. 

Despite giving up all these goals in the third period, you can’t blame Darcy Kuemper, who was phenomenal tonight in OT, standing on his head for 18 minutes, making several spectacular saves. 

Kuemper was giving his team every possible chance to get the win, but the offense just couldn't get the momentum going in the third period or overtime.

Game 5: A Defining Moment Awaits

With the series tied 2–2, Tuesday evening's Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena is now a season-defining game for the Kings — and perhaps for this generation of Kings hockey, too.

Win, and the Kings seize control of the series with a chance to finish off an Oilers team that has haunted them for three straight playoff seasons. Lose, and Edmonton returns home to Rogers Place with an opportunity to send L.A. home in Game 6, thrusting the Kings' playoff hopes — and the assumptions about the window of their core's chance at a championship — into the spotlight. 

There is no fake-it-till-you-make-it anymore. There are no moral victories. The Kings have shown that they can play with Edmonton for long periods. But until they figure out how to close games, until they stop bleeding late, and until their top players step up in clutch situations, their playoffs will end like the previous three: riding the bench while watching Edmonton move forward as they wish they could've.

With two third-period meltdowns, agonizing as they were, the Los Angeles Kings are no longer battling the Oilers. They're battling themselves.

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