Kings eliminate Oilers’ chances

Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist, and the Kings effectively removed the Edmonton Oilers from the playoff picture with a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.

Alexander Frolov also scored for the Kings, who were already eliminated from contention.

Fernando Pisani responded for the Oilers, who remained three points out of eighth place in the Western Conference and desperately needed St. Louis to lose to Phoenix or else they would be eliminated too. However, St. Louis won and the Oilers were eliminated. The Oilers have lost seven of their last nine games.

Edmonton was in a hole right from the opening minute. The Kings scored just 55 seconds in when Dwayne Roloson let in a soft goal through his legs on an unscreened point shot from Frolov.

Less than three minutes later the Kings went up 2-0 as Michal Handzus sneaked up behind defenseman Denis Grebeshkov and stripped him of the puck in front of the Oilers’ net. Handzus had his shot stopped, but Simmonds was there to put home the rebound.

Edmonton started to get going in the second period and came close to tying with seven minutes to play in the third as Andrew Cogliano sent a shot through the crease during a mad scramble in front.