The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a gritty comeback in the first round rebounding from a 0-2 series deficit to eliminate the Los Angeles Kings in six games. But as the stakes rise in Round 2 against the Pacific Division-winning Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton cannot afford to repeat the errors that nearly sank their opening series.
The bounce-back in the first round was impressive, sure. But the path they took raised way too many red flags. With Round 2 against a more complete Golden Knights team, the Oilers can’t afford the same slip-ups.
Here are three critical mistakes they must fix if they hope to keep their Cup dreams alive:
3. Defensive lapses under pressure
In the early part of the Kings series, Edmonton’s defensive structure was visibly shaky. Game 2 in particular saw them let in six goals and the whole setup looked disorganized in front of netminder Stuart Skinner.
Skinner posted a sub-.820 save percentage across those two losses, prompting a switch to backup Calvin Pickard who ultimately stabilized things.
But defensive issues weren’t limited to goaltending. Evan Bouchard was repeatedly targeted by Kings forecheckers and there were too many blown coverages in high-danger areas. If Vegas, a deeper and more balanced team than LA, exposes these same flaws, the Oilers could find themselves chasing games they can't recover from.
Improved communication on defensive zone exits and more engaged backchecking from the forwards will have to be a must. Vegas doesn’t really give you much room to regroup once they’re up on the scoreboard.
2. Overreliance on special teams
Edmonton's power play was elite in the first round going 9-for-20 (45%). But that's a double-edged sword.
The problem is at even strength, they were often second-best. In multiple games, LA outshot and out-chanced them 5-on-5.
Vegas is disciplined and rarely gives up power-play chances in bunches. If the Oilers can’t generate momentum at even strength, they’ll be playing from behind. That’s really dangerous against a Golden Knights team that thrives on clogging up the neutral zone and controlling possession with a structured forecheck.
To avoid that trap, Edmonton’s top-six forwards need to carry their weight beyond the man advantage and the depth lines must start producing quality minutes at 5-on-5.
1. Flat series starts
The Oilers have now lost Game 1 in 18 of their last 22 playoff series, which is needless to say a troubling trend. In this year’s first round, they dropped the first two games. It took a massive emotional and physical push to crawl back and win four straight.
This is NOT sustainable.
In the playoffs, energy and urgency matter from puck drop. Edmonton can’t treat the early games of a series like a feeling-out process. Vegas as always battle-tested and opportunistic, won’t give them time to find their legs.
The Oilers need to come out with a playoff mindset from the opening faceoff of Round 2 by pressuring the puck, winning board battles and dictating pace. That urgency was missing in Games 1 and 2 against LA and it nearly cost them.
Whether it's overconfidence, lack of preparation, or poor adjustments, the Oilers need to treat Game 1 like an elimination game because a flat start could set the wrong tone and in the worst-case scenario, one they might not be able to flip this time around.
The Oilers survived Round 1, but Round 2 will demand more discipline, more balance and immediate urgency. Tighten the defense, generate more 5-on-5 chances and come out swinging in Game 1. Only then can Edmonton live up to its Stanley Cup expectations and not fall short. Again.