LOS ANGELES – Given their team’s usual performances in afternoon games this season, fans of the Los Angeles Kings were a bit reluctant to see how their team would fare today. They had no reason to worry as the Kings win the rubber match of their season series with the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 4-1 moving back into fourth-place in the Western Conference.

Apr 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles wasted very little time getting going today as it was the two former Flyers who got the action started. Just 1:38 into the game, Mike Richards was set up with the perfect one-timer from Jeff Carter who made no mistake for his ninth of the year. The boys were at it again as Jeff Carter, with his team on the man-advantage, tipped in his team-leading 22^nd on the campaign to put Los Angeles up by a pair with Richards (although he didn’t pick up a point on the play) helping out en route to the goal.

The opening period was a continuation of the Kings’ recent theme of quality over quantity as despite only managing seven shots, they made the most of their opportunities and entered the first intermission with the two-goal lead.

Just 2:18 into the second, however, the Oilers got on the board as Magnus Paajarvi tipped in his eighth of the season (on the power play) to cut the lead in half. Despite the goal, though, the Kings were not the least bit fazed as at the 8:22 mark of the middle frame, the home team took advantage of another power play as Slava Voynov teed up a point shot past Oilers netminder Devan Dubyk for his fifth to regain the two-goal lead.

While there wasn’t much offensive action in the third, there were plenty of scoring chances from both sides but both goaltenders were up to the task.

Drew Doughty potted his second of the year into an empty net to seal the victory for the home side as the Los Angeles Kings head into a pivotal divisional matchup in Anaheim tomorrow with momentum on their side.

While his goal-scoring streak came to an end this afternoon, Justin Williams had another strong game nonetheless, most notably making a great individual effort to set up Voynov for Los Angeles’ third goal in what can safely be pointed out as the turning point in today’s contest.

With

recording a shutout in Los Angeles’ last game on Thursday, Jonathan Quick needed a big game this afternoon and while he didn’t get the shutout, Number 32 shone en route to the victory stopping 23 of 24 shots including a number of key saves frustrating the Oilers onslaught.

In a normal season, the playoffs would start right about now so perhaps the Los Angeles Kings have already entered that postseason mindset which could explain their strong effort this afternoon despite their subpar record during matinees. Whatever the case may be, a win’s a win and the Kings and their fans will gladly take it.

While they haven’t had much luck in matinees, the Los Angeles Kings do hope to make the most of their outing tomorrow as they host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon hoping to win the season series against their rivals from Northern Alberta.

April 2, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) and Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) battle along the boards as Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) takes the loose puck in the third period of the game at the Staples Center. Kings won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday will mark the third and final time the Kings and Oilers square off this season and while Edmonton lost their last game, they have been a much better team as of late having gone 6-3-1 in their last 10. Heading into Saturday’s action, the 16-14-7 Oilers sit three points behind the St. Louis Blues for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West and hope to make the most of their stop in Los Angeles. As for the 21-13-3 Kings, they’re simply looking to continue their push for the playoffs. Barring a monumental collapse by the Anaheim Ducks, the best Los Angeles will finish is fourth in the West (where they sit as of Saturday morning) but like they proved last year, seeding doesn’t matter just as long as you get in and as far as the reigning champs are concerned, the latter is all that matters.

It is likely Devan Dubnyk will get the start for Edmonton on Saturday as Nikolai Khabibulin had just played on Thursday night. While he has won his last four starts, Dubnyk has lost his last three at Staples Center with his most recent loss coming last April.

As for the Kings’ goaltending situation, there will be a change in net. Despite picking up his first shutout of the season against Minnesota on the Thursday, Los Angeles will most likely elect to start Jonathan Quick against Edmonton and save Jonathan Bernier for Sunday evening when the Kings travel cross-town to take on the Ducks. Quick has played in both games against the Oilers this season playing great in both while helping the Kings to an 11-1-6 mark in their last 18 meetings with the orange-and-blue.

While Justin Williams and Jeff Carter both hope to extend their respective hot streaks, defenseman Robyn Regehr hopes to be just as solid on Saturday as he was in his first game with the Kings on Thursday. Sam Gagner, who scored in both of Edmonton’s meeting with Los Angeles thus far, will hope to continue his success in the finale.

Will the Oilers be able to take advantage of the Kings’ matinee woes or will the silver-and-black look to provide a setback in Edmonton’s playoff hopes? We’ll see what happens on Saturday afternoon.

Enjoy the game!