The Los Angeles Kings’ third Stanley Cup hunt begins in the same place as the first round, all the other teams in the playoffs.
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However, history is not on the king’s side. It finished in Los Angeles’ past five postseason shows and in its first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.
The second-seeded King faces the third-seeded Edmonton Oilers, but Edmonton has a 3-2 lead in Game 6 (7:20pm, ESPN). In the last three appearances, the king was sent by the Oilers each time.
According to ESPN Research, two teams joined the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens in the opening round of four straight postseasons, marking the second time the expansion era (1967-68 season) since their second team (1967-68 season).
History is also at risk. If the Kings can’t find a way to stop the postseason drought against the Oilers, Edmonton could be the fourth team in the expansion era, winning the series in four consecutive postseasons against one opponent.
However, the king still has the opportunity to break their first round curse.
Below is how Los Angeles carried in their last five first-round postseason appearances.
Year: 2016 First Round Opponent: San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks defeated the Kings in five games in 2016. Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire is Getty Image
The Kings got off to a promising start in the series, holding a better record than regular season sharks. Jake Mujin attacked the Los Angeles series with the first goal of the series, but the penalty pulled the king back from capitalisation against the shark.
San Jose defeated Los Angeles in five games. Los Angeles scored their only victory in the series after a goal from Tanner Pearson in Game 3 overtime. The Kings lost each game by one point, except for the closer in the series.
Year: 2018 First Round Opponent: Vegas Golden Knights
At the time, Gold Knight goaltender Mark Andre Fleury limited the Kings to three goals throughout the series, saving 127 shots. Los Angeles did not score any goals until the second period of Game 2. This is Paul Ladue’s power play goal after Eric Howla scores the winner before he eventually went into double overtime.
Los Angeles showed an extra fight in Game 3, and was first impressive. However, Vegas set the third term on fire with three goals, two of which came within one minute of each other. Anze Kopitar scored three minutes later, but Fleury’s 37 saves prevented Kings from winning the rest of the game and the series. Las Vegas took Los Angeles by storming, falling to the Washington Capitals in five games, advancing all the way to the Stanley Cup final.
Year: 2022 First Round Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
The Kings are approaching the first round of curse in 2022. Cody Macra Charan/Getty Images
Los Angeles has not faced the Oilers in the playoffs since the Pacific Division semi-finals in 1992.
Fast forward to 2022: The series has now become seven games, with Jonathan Quick climbing the clutch online. Edmonton was on the brink of elimination in Game 6. A 33 quick save led the series in three games ahead of two second-half third-term goals by Tyson Barry and Evander Kane.
He quickly saved 62 shots in the last two games of the series and kept the Oilers’ journey alive.
Year: 2023 First Round Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Three of the six games in the series worked overtime, and Los Angeles won two of these three contests. The series tied in two games, two games before Edmonton surpassed Los Angeles 11-7 in the final two games. Stuart Skinner shined on the net, saving 65 shots in games 5 and 6.
Year: 2024 Round 1 Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton stayed ahead of Los Angeles in the series, surpassing 23-12. Skinner’s netminding kept King away from the scoreboard, but Oilers’ wingerzak Hyman played a pivotal role in Edmonton’s offense, leading the team with seven total goals in the series on his way to beat Los Angeles in five games.
