Quick, Kings shut down Oilers to tie series

LOS ANGELES — Jay Woodcroft says his Edmonton Oilers simply need to be better.

After posting a pair of lopsided wins and taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Kings, the Oilers faltered Sunday, falling 4-0 to L.A. in Game 4.

It's no surprise that L.A. rebounded with a big push, said Woodcroft, Edmonton's head coach.

“I think they're a competitive hockey team any time they play and that's not unexpected," he said. "We know the level we have to compete at and we certainly have more to give. To a man we can all be better.”

Edmonton outscored L.A. 16-2 in Games 2 and 3 but couldn't get a single puck past Jonathan Quick on Sunday.

The 36-year-old goalie made 31 saves and posted the 10th playoff shutout of his career as the Kings evened the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

“He’s a good goalie. He’s been a good goalie in this league for such a long time," said Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. "He’s not just going to come back and feel bad (about himself). He’s going to play his butt off, and he did tonight.”

Carl Grundstrom scored twice in the third period, and Troy Stecher and Trevor Moore each had a goal and an assist.

Mike Smith made 42 saves for the Oilers, who were outshot 46-31.

“I think everyone in our room was tired of giving up that many goals," said Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson. "So as a whole, I think we tried to lock it down more to get back to our identity, being harder to play against and trying to give up less than we’ve been giving up the last couple of games.”

The series will return to Edmonton for Game 5 on Tuesday. Game 6 will go Thursday back in L.A.

Whichever team wins two out the next three games will move on to round two.

“We just focus on the next one. That’s a big one," said