Stuart Skinner gets 1st postseason shutout as Oilers beat Kings 1-0 to take a 3-1 series lead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Connor McDavid usually dominates the headlines for the Edmonton Oilers.

On Sunday night, it was the play of goaltender Stuart Skinner that put them a win away from advancing in the NHL playoffs.

Skinner stopped 33 shots for his first postseason shutout in the Oilers' 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4.

Skinner is the eighth goalie in franchise history to record a postseason shutout and the first since Mike Smith had two in the first round against the Kings two years ago. The most recent was in Game 7 of the 2022 first-round series when Smith made 29 saves in a 2-0 victory.

“The Kings definitely gave me a hard time out there. I was sweating a lot by the end of the third,” Skinner said. “The guys were grinding for me. When we were getting hemmed in the defensive zone, we were able to win battles along the board and get pucks out.”

It was Skinner’s 16th postseason start. It is the fifth career shutout after he had two during the regular season.

Edmonton has a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Edmonton. The Kings have dropped four straight playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.

“Stuart was very solid, that is an understatement in how well he played. He made a lot of key saves for us and the rebound control was really good,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said.

Los Angeles had a 33-13 advantage in shots on goal as the Kings were aggressive on the forecheck, but the difference in the game again was special teams.

The Oilers converted on their lone power-play opportunity when Evan Bouchard scored his first goal of the series midway through the second period. That made Edmonton 8 of 15 in the series.

“We were kind of taking what they were giving us, whether it was a shot up top, way down low, we were kind of improvising,” Bouchard said.

Los Angeles is the only team in the postseason that hasn’t scored on the power play.

They were 0 for 1 on Sunday and 0 for 11 in the series. Trevor Moore had a shot just go wide when the Kings had the man advantage in the third period.

“They scored one on their power play," Kings interim coach Jim Hiller said. "We said before the game we had to win the special teams battle. We didn’t and we didn’t get the win.”

Edmonton’s 13 shots tied a franchise record for fewest shots in a playoff game. It's also the fewest they had in a playoff win.

It's the 11th time since 1974 and second time this year a team has won with 13 or fewer shots in a playoff game. Vancouver won Game 3 at Nashville last Friday 2-1 with only 12 shots.

David Rittich got the start in goal for the Kings after Cam Talbot had a 5.31 goals-against average and .891 save percentage in the first three games. Rittich made 12 saves.

“I thought he played well," Hiller said. “The disappointing thing is no goalie is going to win when we can't score for him. He did his job.”

Matt Roy also had a prime scoring opportunity when the teams were at even strength in the second period, but couldn't get it into the net.

“Frustrated. Frustrated. Definitely got to capitalize on more, and we got some Grade-A chances as well," Kings forward Philip Danault said. "I mean, we got to play the same way, and we got to make it difficult for them. And our back’s against the wall, so nothing to lose.”

The game's first penalty wasn't called until 10:46 into the second, when Los Angeles' Andreas Englund was sent off for holding. Edmonton converted on the power play 63 seconds later when Bouchard blasted a one-timer from the point after getting the pass from McDavid.

It was McDavid's ninth assist and 10th point of the series. That made the Oilers' superstar center the eighth player in NHL history to have at least five 10-point postseason series in their career. Three have come against Los Angeles.

The Kings pulled Rittich for the extra skater with 1:34 remaining, but were unable to get a great opportunity.

“These are the types of games you have to win in the playoffs," Oilers defenseman Corey Perry said. "It's not going to be 6-5 or 7-4 every night. You’re going to have to dig deep and play defense and trying to win out. We found a way tonight.”

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, left, battles with Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, right, and defenseman Mikey Anderson during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, right, passes the puck while under pressure from Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, left, dives for the puck as Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, center, and defenseman Cody Ceci watch during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) falls after colliding with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci (5) and center Leon Draisaitl (29) congratulate goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) after the Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, center, tries to get a shot past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, left, as center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actor Will Ferrell, right, cheers as Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stands in goal during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Oilers Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actor Will Ferrell covers his ears as the crowd is asked to make noise during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, right, takes the puck as Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane reaches in during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry, center, tries to get a shot by Los Angeles Kings goaltender David Rittich, right, as defenseman Matt Roy defends during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, left, makes a glove save as Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault watches during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale scored 14 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, Teaira McCowan and Natasha Howard had double-doubles and the Dallas Wings pulled away down the stretch for an 87-79 win over the Chicago Sky in a season opener on Wednesday night.

Trailing 75-73 with 3:16 to go, the Wings scored the next 14 points, capped by a deep 3-pointer by Ogunbowale for an 87-75 lead with 31 seconds left. Ogunbowale had nine points in the run with Howard, who finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, adding two and Maddy Siegrist hitting a 3-pointer to give her 13 off the bench.

McCowan had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Marina Mabrey had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Sky, who had all five starters in double figures. Diamond DeShields, back for her second stint in Chicago, had 14 points, first-round draft pick Angel Reese and Elizabeth Williams, who played for Washington last season, both had 12 and Dana Evans had 10.

Mabrey hit a 3-pointer to give Chicago a 43-40 halftime lead. Mabrey, who had 13 points at the break, and Michaela Onyenwere hit consecutive 3s for a 24-14 advantage in the first quarter.

Down 25-16 after one quarter, Dallas came back and took a 36-35 lead on an offensive rebound and putback by Stephanie Soares. It was the first professional points for the 2023 first-round pick out of Iowa State, who didn't play last year because of an ACL tear her senior season. McCowan had 16 points and 10 rebounds at halftime for the Wings.

Williams' basket tied the game at 62 entering the fourth quarter.

Jaelyn Brown, who played four years overseas after going undrafted in 2020, started for Dallas but was scoreless. Jacy Sheldon, the Wings' first-round pick, had two points in nine minutes.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) and guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrate a lead over the Chicago Sky during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, left, defends against Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Sevgi Uzun (1) keeps the ball from Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) looks to shoot from between Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, left, and guard Dana Evans during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) defends against Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) is seen during a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)