NHL: the Kings already exhausted

It is extremely rare for a three-day break to occur in the middle of a National Hockey League playoff series. Tired, but above all in search of solutions, the Los Angeles Kings are not complaining about this salutary leave.

The series opposing the California formation to the Edmonton Oilers is an emotional and very robust one. After a regular schedule of 82 games and five such intense spring meetings, the Kings are happy to be able to recharge their batteries.

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“This three-day break is so important to get back in place, especially after [the 6-3 loss on Tuesday], slipped forward Blake Lizotte, whose comments were echoed by the Bettman circuit site.< /p>

“We need to win the next game. It's very good to be able to put yourself back together mentally.”

Trailing 3-2 in that first-round matchup, the Kings were given a day off on Wednesday. And according to instructor Todd McLellan, his men were fired up the next day in training.

“We were talking about it right after: they were light-footed. There is no better way to explain it, he expressed. It was an impeccable workout. They wanted to start early, which doesn't happen often.”

“The playoffs are tough mentally and physically. It's part of the experience to deal with it all. So when you have a break, you take advantage of it. It's good to have a day to breathe.”

The Achilles Heel of Kings

You don't have to look far to understand how the Oilers have fared since the start of the postseason tournament. With an efficiency percentage of 57.1%, Jay Woodcroft's troops are the most dangerous in the circuit in massive attack.

The Kings particularly paid for their indiscipline in games number 3 and 4, conceding two goals short of a man each time.

“We have the impression of rambling, but their power play works, chained Lizotte. We have to be better on the penalty kill if we want to survive.”

“I like our chances when we play evenly matched. But they can change the course of a game as soon as we get a penalty. If that happens, we have to be quick-witted.”

Philip Danault's gang will try in front of their supporters to force a final match on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The game will be broadcast on TVA Sports at 10 p.m.