LA Kings 4, Oilers 3

Gaborik returned the favor at the end of the period when he led a fast break down the ice and his shot hit the crossbar. Taylor Hall fed Draisaitl for the goal. Neither the Kings nor the Oilers have played a game that was decided by a shootout. But Pearson got the rebound and shook off a check by Eric Gyrba before beating Talbot to the glove side from 25 feet out.

Jonathan Quick has been shaky lately, going 1-3-0 with a 2.80 GAA in four starts this month, but is 8-0-1 with a 1.53 GAA in his last nine starts versus Edmonton.

Hall tied the game with less than five minutes to play in the third and final period off a chip play.

Edmonton got on the board at 5:17 of the second, when Draisaitl beat Quick to the glove side with a one-timer from the right circle.

His propensity to put pucks on net this season marks a notable uptick in offensive aggressiveness for Hall.

That would hold up as the game victor. Shore was the recipient of Pearson’s persistence in the Oilers zone as stole the puck and quickly passed to Shore for the goal from just in front of the blue line. In todays edition of OilonWhyte I will be bringing you a few highlights/key pointers from the Oilers loss the other night against the Coyotes, as well as “Markoffs’ Keys to the Game”, the projected line-ups for both squads and my prediction for the final outcome.

The real test will come in the new year when McDavid returns and, hopefully, picks up right where he left off. When he does return to the club, the Oilers will boast a top-six group that includes Hall, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, Yakupov and McDavid – all of whom seem to be rolling at the moment, which is a scary thought for goaltenders around the league.

Drive the Play; I have never seen a team dump and chase the puck without success(and continually do it) like the Oilers have.

Tanner Pearson. The left-winger had a goal and two assists, but his energy and persistence around the Oilers net was the difference in this game. Gaborik’s goal was his first since October 18 against the Colorado Avalanche, ending an 11-game drought.

Drew Doughty played in his 541st game on Saturday night, tying Sean O’Donnell for fifth on the Kings all-time games played list among defensemen.

“It’s great to get the two points”. Nick Shore on his game-winning goal.

The Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings are receiving strong play from their special teams but are struggling to string together victories. That includes this win against Pittsburgh and two decisions against the Chicago Blackhawks. Los Angeles kicks off a five-game road swing at the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday….