Game 3, Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl look to start a turnaround in the series

As the playoffs approach an entirely new level of intensity for Edmonton, superstar shoulders now bear an added burden. The Edmonton Oilers are down 0-2 in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings and return home to head into Game 3. While it has been a familiar story for the Oilers in previous postseasons with their head-to-head matchups with the Kings, this year the monster has shed its skin and presented a whole new entity. With pride, with history, with life - Game 3 is indeed coming to be a must-win battle staged at home for the Edmonton Oilers.


Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl must ignite the offense as the Oilers face the red-hot Los Angeles Kings



The Los Angeles Kings have stormed into the 2025 NHL Playoffs with power and precision after rewriting the script regarding the recent exits from the playoffs at the hands of Alberta's Ottawa Oilers. With a commanding series score of 2-0, the Kings came into Game 3 riding high after back-to-back matches where they pumped in six goals in each match. Adrian Kempe's double in Game 2 emphasized the breadth of the Kings' momentum train, while Phillipp Danault's Game 1 heroics spoke volumes of their serenity under pressure.

Leon Draisaitl will look to extend his playoff point streak against the Kings as the #Oilers return home for Game 3. We've got your game notes, presented by @DirtyLaundryVin 🍷📝 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/RUiI0Ga250

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 25, 2025

Edmonton has some issues converting bright spots into consistency. McDavid's four points against LA, along with Draisaitl two, still mean danger, although there will have to be more involvement for both to make the breakthrough against Los Angeles' structure. Defensive lapses and some sporadic goaltending keep the Oilers from regaining control.

Game 3 lineup:

Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-RNH-Arvidsson
Kane-Henrique-Brown
Frederic-Janmark-Perry

Klingberg-Bouchard
Nurse-Emberson
Kulak-Walman

Pickard

Oilers have rallied from a 2-0 deficit once before: 2006 vs SJ.

8:10 MT puck drop on @Sportsnet … pic.twitter.com/eZlH2A1fBE

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) April 25, 2025

Now Game 3 moves back to the beautiful Rogers Place in Alberta, where home ice just might provide the spark the Oilers need. This game will take place on Friday, April 25, at 10:00 p.m. E.T. (8:00 p.m. M.T.). The action can be watched live on TNT and TruTV, or streamed by paying customers on Sling TV. For those tuning in on the go, SiriusXM will carry the full radio broadcast.


Also Read: As the Los Angeles Kings set the early tone in the 2025 NHL Playoffs, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain under pressure


As the series slips away, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl must turn their leadership and offensive firepower toward changing the course of the Edmonton Oilers. This is no ordinary playoff game - this is going to be the defining moment for Edmonton. A win could revive their chances for further play; a loss might be the end.