EDMONTON — Coaches meticulously craft defensive game plans, emphasizing neutral zone strategy, “responsible play,” and “staying on the right side of the puck.”
However, when the puck dropped on a Thursday night in May, the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers threw structure aside and played with the free-wheeling excitement of dozens of kids on an outdoor rink during Christmas break.
It was a full 60 minutes of high-octane, unstructured, and incredibly entertaining hockey, reminiscent of the classic “Miracle on Manchester” series from 1982, where Game 1 at Northlands Coliseum ended in a wild 10-8 victory for the Kings.
Forty-three years later, Edmonton emerged victorious in a 6-4 offensive showcase finale. They eliminated the Kings in six games, dealing the decisive blow with the same aggressive, high-scoring style that has thwarted Los Angeles in their previous three playoff encounters.
Tristan Blackwood