Adrian Kempe leads the LA Kings' offensive spree in a 6-2 win over Oilers for a 2-0 series lead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe had two third-period goals and two assists, captain Anze Kopitar added a goal and three assists, and the Los Angeles Kings routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 on Wednesday night to seize a 2-0 lead in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Quinton Byfield and Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the second straight game, and Brandt Clarke had his first playoff goal to begin an overwhelming performance by second-seeded Los Angeles.

The Kings blew a four-goal lead before winning Game 1, and they let a three-goal lead slip to 3-2 early in the third period of Game 2 before seizing control with three goals in less than five minutes while chasing goalie Stuart Skinner.

“We've played really well," Kings coach Jim Hiller said. "Tonight, we had some shots alone with the goaltender, and we beat him. We're just playing good, solid hockey offensively and defensively. Both parts are there.”

These Pacific Division rivals are meeting in the first round for the fourth straight year, but the Kings had home-ice advantage for the first time. They've largely dominated two games in the building where they had the NHL’s best home record, scoring 12 goals — including five by their revitalized power play, which was the worst among playoff teams in the regular season.

“We got home ice, battled hard for it, and we wanted to take advantage,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We're happy so far. We've taken the two. You come to the rink tomorrow and focus on the next game. But so far, it's been a good start.”

Game 3 is Friday night in Edmonton.

Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Oilers, but the defending Western Conference champions' endemic defensive struggles couldn’t be covered up by the brilliance of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who was held scoreless.

“They’re very hungry with a lot of belief, and they’re playing well at home,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We can play better. Special teams is the biggest part of it, (but) everywhere we can step up our game. ... We’ve seen this team face difficult situations, a lot more difficult than it is right now. There’s no quit in this group. It’s certainly not an ideal situation, but we certainly won’t panic.”

Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings.

Los Angeles went up 3-0 midway through the second when Kuzmenko added to his extraordinary start with the Kings by smacking home a rebound.

Edmonton finally got on the board when Draisaitl redirected a nifty pass from John Klingberg.

Arvidsson scored against his former team with 15:55 to play to tighten it up, but Kempe answered moments later on a pass from Kopitar, who added LA's third power-play goal shortly afterward.

Calvin Pickard replaced Skinner, but Kempe scored again.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, left, moves the puck as Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar puts pressure on him during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, right, collides with Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, center loses his helmet as he is hit by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, left, and left wing Evander Kane during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates his goal during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield celebrates his goal as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse skates away during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)