LOS ANGELES -- For the first time in the Los Angeles Kings-Edmonton Oilers matchup we've grown accustomed to in the last four seasons, the Kings carry a 2-0 lead into game three. Red-hot special teams have played a big factor in that, but no individual has terrorized the Oilers in this series more than Adrian Kempe, who's four-point night Wednesday brought him to a playoff-leading seven points in two games.
Tearing apart the Oilers in the playoffs has become a common theme for Kempe, who now has 14 goals and 26 points in 20 playoff games against the Oilers.
He's become the premier Oiler-killer in the league over the last four seasons, and this year is no different.
Kempe's been the Kings' best forward over the last two seasons and is a fringe superstar, but when the playoffs hit, he finds a new level and ascends to superstardom without a doubt.
An all-situations player, who's currently quarterbacking the Kings' top power-play unit and is trusted to kill penalties, we've heard his teammates use the word "underrated" a few times this week.
"He's an unbelievable player, he's one of the most underrated players league-wide," said Anze Kopitar after Game One. "He's huge for us, during the regular season, he usually carries us in scoring and all of that, but when it comes to playoff time, he has that little edge to him he plays with. It's very encouraging and also very contagious throughout the lineup."
After Kempe's brilliant Game Two performance, Warren Foegele was also quick to heap praise on Kempe.
"One of the more underrated players in the league," said Foegele. "He's a big body, good skater, has a great release and he plays hard. He's physical and annoying to play against. He's such a threat with the puck, so happy to have him on our team.
Foegele sums up what makes Kemep so dangerous well. He's a big body and one of the fastest players in the league, and he complements those tools with a wicked wrist shot and a physical edge you don't see in many players who consistently score 30+ goals.
He's somewhat of a unicorn, not a true power forward like a Tom Wilson, but he has the feel of a modern NHL power forward with his size, skill and physical edge.
It also makes him that much deadlier come playoff time.
"More exciting time, it's a long season, so it's tough mentally and physically to play all 82 games, playoffs come around and you get that little extra excitement in your body, you feel it around the team, around the building, everything," said Kempe when asked about how he manages to elevate his game in the playoffs. "You get some nerves sometimes, and I like to play in those kinds of games. I'm very excited to play in every playoff game, so that's probably a big factor."
Whatever the secret is, Kempe has found a way to be a true difference maker for the Kings in the playoffs and is a key component for them potentially getting past the Edmonton Oilers in round four of this matchup.
A common criticism of the Kings in these series has been the lack of high-end talent to match the Oilers, and while it would be an exaggeration to say Kempe is at the level of a player like Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, he's proving that he isn't far off in the postseason.
He can go toe-to-toe with anyone during this time of the year, and it's a huge boost for the Kings.
