NHL playoffs: Edmonton Oilers defeat Kings in Game 7 to advance
LA TimesKings goalie Jonathan Quick lies on the ice as Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates after scoring late in the third period of a 2-0 Edmonton win in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Saturday. “Now, there’s the other side of the coin, where the organization four years ago came up with a plan about transforming the team, changing the way we play, the identity of the group, bringing younger players in, relying on the older players, and that was the positive throughout the year.” The Oilers have been building toward a championship since they chose generational star McDavid in 2015, the fourth time in six years they’d landed the No. “It is one shot away,” Kopitar said, “but we couldn’t get sustained pressure.” Phillip Danault, whose signing last summer gave the Kings terrific depth at center — and whose skills made better players out of every linemate he was given — said he felt a lot of pride in the team getting this far. Obviously bad ending, but we gave it all and I’m very proud of the group we have.” Edmonton Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci celebrates after scoring against the Kings in the second period of Game 7.