The Los Angeles Kings locked up the No. 2 seed in the Pacific Division with a 5–0 win over the injury-depleted Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
But the story quickly shifted from the result to a war of words within the Rogers Place tunnels that added even more fuel to a simmering rivalry set to reignite in the playoffs.
Advertisement
With seven regulars out of the lineup, including star-of-the-week Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, Edmonton dressed just 17 skaters and leaned heavily on depth players.
They also racked up 53 penalty minutes, including a five-minute major and game misconduct to Darnell Nurse for cross-checking Quinton Byfield in the head after dropping him to the ice.
That led Kings forward Phillip Danault to make a surprising accusation on the Kings’ broadcast during the second intermission.
“I think they just have their B squad in, trying to hurt us,” Kings alternate captain Danault said. “That’s pretty much the message tonight.”
Advertisement
Corey Perry, one of the veterans in the Oilers’ lineup, was stunned by the suggestion.
“What the (expletive),” Perry said. “Excuse my language. What do you want us to do? Did he not look at what’s happened over the last couple of weeks? What does he want us to do?
”We’re not out there to hurt anybody. Let’s move on.”
Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24) reacts while warming up at Crypto.com Arena.Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
Oilers’ Connor Brown echoed Perry’s frustration after receiving a roughing penalty for retaliating against Danault.
“I’m not really interested in getting into a media war with Danault,” Brown said. “He took a run at me. I took a run at him. I don’t really have anything to say.”
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch downplayed the postgame noise less than a week before Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoff series.
Advertisement
“Obviously, there’s some extra tension,” Knoblauch said. “But I didn’t see a lot more than a typical game.”
This will be the fourth consecutive year the Kings and Oilers face off in Round 1. Edmonton has won the previous three, but the Kings will hold home-ice advantage this time.
Related: Oilers React to NHL’s Connor McDavid Announcement
Related: Oilers Reveal Major Injury Updates Ahead of NHL Playoffs