Los Angeles Kings improve position as they shutout Edmonton Oilers – NHL Updates
It was easy pickings for Los Angeles as they gained those precious two points defeating Oilers at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, by 2-0. Kings moved up to the fourth place in the Western Conference ahead of Nashville with 94 points.
Kings’ goalie, Jonathan Bernier, and opposing goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, played extremely well.
Bernier was able to shutout the opposing offensive onslaught by making 32 saves as Khabibulin let only two of 33 through.
The first and final period remained scoreless as the defensive ends were locked down on both sides.
Right winger, Dustin Brown, scored twice in the second period for LA to take the game.
He scored his 26th and 27th goal of the season nearly 10 minutes apart both, assisted by centre player, Trevor Lewis.
On the first goal, Lewis slid the puck under Edmonton’s defenseman, Ladislav Smid’s, legs to Brown who had to just tip it in slightly.
The second came with a little more difficulty as Lewis and Brown went on a breakaway as the former fed the latter with the puck to fire it from the circle.
Edmonton was just having a bad day, missing numerous chances when the puck hit the post.
They have lost 10 straight regulation matches and their hopes for a playoff spot have died off for a long period now. Their worst skid was last season, when they lost 13 games in a row.
Bernier made some crucial saves in the final moments, not letting the puck even think about sliding through.
Los Angeles has extended their winning streak to four now, improving their record to 8-1-1 in the last 10 games they have played.
Kings have greatly improved their playing strategy since the All-Star Game break, standing fifth in the Western Conference which makes them a team that has real prospects of making it to the finals this time around.
LA faces tough competition on Thursday, as they head to Vancouver to face the league leading Canucks to end their two-game Canadian road trip.
Edmonton faces Minnesota Wild on the same day.
Both teams have clearly no hope to make it to the playoffs, so anything big should not be expected.
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