# The Miracle on Manchester: March 19, 1982

On March 19, 1982, the Los Angeles Kings pulled off what many consider the greatest comeback in NHL playoff history – a stunning reversal that became forever known as "The Miracle on Manchester."

The setting was the Los Angeles Forum on Manchester Boulevard in Inglewood, California. The Kings were facing the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their best-of-five first-round playoff series. The Oilers, led by a young Wayne Gretzky who had just shattered scoring records with 92 goals and 212 points during the regular season, seemed destined for playoff glory.

After two periods, the situation looked hopeless for Los Angeles. The Oilers had stormed to a commanding 5-0 lead, completely dominating the Kings in every aspect of the game. Many of the 15,307 fans in attendance were already heading for the exits, resigned to watching their team fall into a 2-1 series deficit against the heavily favored Oilers.

But then something magical happened in the third period.

At 2:46, Jay Wells scored to make it 5-1. Most fans barely stirred – it seemed like a meaningless consolation goal. But it lit a spark. Just over three minutes later, Doug Smith scored to make it 5-2. Suddenly, there was a pulse of hope in the building.

The Kings kept attacking relentlessly. At 11:33, Steve Bozek scored. Then 5-3. The crowd, many who had turned back from the parking lot, was roaring now. At 15:58, Mark Hardy blasted one past Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr. 5-4! The Forum was absolutely electric.

With less than three minutes remaining, the Kings pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. With just 5 seconds left in regulation, Steve Bozek – playing in only his second NHL playoff game – deflected a shot past Fuhr to tie the game 5-5. The building absolutely erupted. What seemed impossible had happened.

In overtime, at 2:35 of the extra period, defenseman Daryl Evans became the unlikely hero, scoring the game-winner to complete the improbable 6-5 victory. The Kings had scored five unanswered goals in the final period to steal the game.

The comeback energized the Kings, who won the series in five games, eliminating Gretzky and the Oilers in a massive upset. Though Los Angeles would eventually lose in the next round, the Miracle on Manchester remained the franchise's defining moment for decades.

For the Oilers, the devastating loss became a learning experience. They would return stronger, winning their first Stanley Cup just two years later and becoming the dynasty of the 1980s.

The game remains a testament to why you should never leave a hockey game early – and why no lead is ever truly safe.

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

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