The Los Angeles Kings scored three power play goals in the third period en route to a 5-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night at Rogers Place.
The three power play goals were scored off a five-minute match penalty for a hit to the head by Oilers forward Patrick Maroon on Kings defenceman Drew Doughtly late in the second period. Doughty was forced to leave the game, but later returned.
“I’m glad he came back. Honestly, I’m a big forward going in and doing my job. Go in on the forecheck. My body was inward, my elbows didn’t come up; nothing came up. It’s just unfortunate that my follow through, my body kind of hit him in the head,” explained Maroon.
“I’m not a dirty player, I never was a dirty player – I have so much respect for players in this league and him. I’m just mad that they gave me a match and it hurt our penalty kill. Unfortunately, it’s a bad bounce, they scored three goals and I’ll take the onus for that one.”
When it comes to Doughty he was forced to leave the the game by the concussion spotter but he would only miss a part of the third period.
“I didn’t see it at all, he just got me right in the head. I didn’t even have the puck and that’s why I was so shocked by it,” added Doughty. “But I’ve known Maroon for a long time and he’s just trying to finish a hit and I don’t know that he tried to hurt me or anything like that so, I forgive him and that’s that.”
It’s the second straight time the Oilers have been shut out. It’s been 121 minutes and 45 seconds since they last scored, which was late in the third period against Chicago on Dec. 29.
A scoreless first period featured strong goaltending from the Oilers’ Cam Talbot and the Kings’ Jonathan Quick. Both teams killed off a penalty.
The Kings struck first with 5:39 left in the second. Andy Andreoff got in behind the Oilers’ defence and beat Talbot blocker side. The Oilers missed a golden chance to tie in the final minute of the frame when Jesse Puljujarvi hit the crossbar with an open net on a rebound chance.
On the same shift, Patrick Maroon delivered a shoulder to Drew Doughty’s head. Maroon was given a five-minute match penalty for a hit to the head, sending the Kings on a five-minute power play that continued into the third period.
The Kings took full advantage, getting goals from Marian Gaborik, Dustin Brown and Adrian Kempe in the first 4:34 of the third. Brown added an even-strength goal with 1:32 to go.
“It sucks the life out of us. It sucks the life out of us and that’s what happened tonight,” explained Oilers head coach Todd McLellan when describing his teams struggling penalty kill. “We were okay for two periods. We made a mistake and they scored but the major penalty sucked the life out of us. Again multiple mistakes, things we worked on.”
“I don’t think you can be upset with our five on five play,” added captain Connor McDavid. “Obviously, you look at the special teams and that’s where it all goes wrong for us.”
The Oilers have lost six games by four goals or more this season, compared to two all of last season.
For the first time in his NHL career, Connor McDavid has gone three straight games without a point.
The Oilers (17-20-3) will conclude their four-game home stand Thursday against Anaheim.