Edmonton Oilers push L.A. Kings to brink of elimination with Game 5 win

Zach Hyman knows people started counting the Oilers out after Edmonton stumbled to start this season's playoff campaign.

The team didn't give up and, on Tuesday, that persistence was rewarded with a 3-1 win over the L.A. Kings in Game 5.

Edmonton now holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and can advance Thursday when the first-round matchup shifts back to Alberta for Game 6.

"If you just don't go away, if you keep believing, you give yourself a chance to win," Hyman said. "Playoffs are an emotional roller-coaster for both teams. You have to make sure you can steady yourself."

"Even after a win like tonight, it's back to business. We have a huge opportunity to close it out at home and that's the mindset right now."

Edmonton pressed from the outset Tuesday, outshooting L.A. 19-4 across the first period.

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The Kings did not register a shot on goal until more than eight minutes into the opening frame when Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard denied Kevin Fiala from the side of the net during an L.A. power play.

"The feeling after the first period was we're outplaying them and we have them where we want them and we have to keep pushing the gas," said Mattias Janmark.

The fourth-line centre gave the Oilers the lead at the 7:12 mark of the second period after Viktor Arvidsson's shot pinged off the pad of Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper. Janmark collected the rebound and popped it in to give Edmonton a 2-1 cushion.

The Oilers have chased the Kings for much of the series and lost Games 1 and 2 after surrendering six goals in each.

Something flipped for the team midway through Game 4, where Edmonton took control in the third period en route to a 4-3 overtime win, said winger Evander