Kings Erase Five Goal Deficit Beat Oilers Overtime

# The Miracle on Manchester: February 16, 1982

On February 16, 1982, one of the most stunning comebacks in NHL playoff history unfolded at the Forum in Inglewood, California (on Manchester Boulevard, hence the nickname). The Los Angeles Kings, facing a seemingly insurmountable 5-0 deficit after two periods against the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers, roared back to win 6-5 in overtime in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

The Edmonton Oilers were an emerging dynasty, featuring a young Wayne Gretzky who was already rewriting the record books. They also boasted future Hall of Famers like Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr. The Oilers had dominated the regular season and were expected to steamroll through the playoffs. After cruising to a 5-0 lead by the end of the second period, it appeared they would take a commanding 2-1 series lead.

The Kings' situation looked hopeless. Some fans had already left the building. Those who remained were merely going through the motions, expecting the inevitable conclusion. But something magical happened during the second intermission.

Kings coach Don Perry delivered an impassioned speech, and his team responded with one of hockey's greatest third periods. Jay Wells scored just 2:46 into the period to make it 5-1, giving the Kings a glimmer of hope. Then Doug Smith scored at 5:22. When Charlie Simmer netted his second goal of the game at 10:47, it was suddenly 5-3, and the Forum faithful were back on their feet, sensing something special.

Mark Hardy made it 5-4 at 13:38, and the building was absolutely rocking. The impossible was becoming possible. With goaltender Grant Fuhr pulled for an extra attacker, Steve Bozek completed the comeback by tying the game 5-5 with just five seconds remaining in regulation. The Forum exploded in disbelief and jubilation.

In overtime, it was rookie Daryl Evans who became the hero, scoring at 2:35 of the extra period to complete the miraculous 6-5 victory. The Kings had scored five unanswered goals in the third period and overtime, stunning the Oilers and the hockey world.

Wayne Gretzky later called it "the greatest comeback I've ever seen against me." The loss devastated the young Oilers, who would eventually lose the series to the Kings in five games, falling short of their Stanley Cup aspirations that year.

The "Miracle on Manchester" became legendary not just for the comeback itself, but for what it represented: proof that no lead is safe in hockey, and that determination and belief can overcome even the longest odds. It remains one of the most frequently referenced games in NHL history and is etched into Los Angeles Kings lore as their finest moment until their Stanley Cup victories decades later.

The game taught the Oilers valuable lessons about complacency and finishing. They would use this devastating loss as motivation, eventually winning their first Stanley Cup in 1984 and beginning one of hockey's greatest dynasties.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI