The Edmonton Oilers are set to begin Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight against the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights. After eliminating the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Oilers now face a deeper, more experienced team with championship pedigree. To take Game 1 and gain early control of the series, Edmonton will need to be sharp in all areas of their game.
Here are three keys to an Oilers victory in Game 1.
1. Win the Special Teams Battle
If there’s one area where the Oilers have a clear advantage over Vegas, it’s on special teams. Edmonton’s power play was nearly unstoppable in the first round, converting at a clip that demoralized the Kings. With Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard orchestrating things on the man advantage, the Oilers can tilt the ice with just a single penalty drawn.
The Golden Knights, on the other hand, weren’t particularly dangerous on the power play in Round 1 and rely more on five-on-five play to generate offense. If Edmonton stays disciplined and continues to capitalize on their chances with the extra man, they’ll force Vegas to play a clean game, something few teams can do consistently over a full series.
2. Contain Vegas’ Transition Game
Vegas loves to play fast through the neutral zone and feast on turnovers. Their forecheck is relentless, and when they get the puck moving north quickly, they create chaos. Edmonton will need to be smart with their puck management, especially through the middle of the ice.
The Oilers' defensive group, led by Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard, has looked better in the past couple games, but mistakes against a team like Vegas can be costly. Clean breakouts, smart decisions at both blue lines, and strong backchecking from the forwards will be crucial to keeping Vegas from generating high-quality rush chances.
3. Set the Tone Early
It’s no secret the Oilers play their best hockey when they start fast. Whether it’s an early goal, a dominant shift from the McDavid line, or a physical tone-setting play from the bottom six, Edmonton needs to come out with energy. The Golden Knights are a veteran team that won’t be rattled easily, but if the Oilers can establish pace and possession early, they’ll put Vegas on their heels.
Game 1 is all about making a statement. A strong start on the road would do wonders for Edmonton’s confidence and could put pressure on a Vegas team that knows the margin for error against this Oilers power play is razor thin.
With a chance to steal home-ice advantage and set the tone for the series, the Oilers will need to be focused and disciplined. If they stick to their identity and execute on these three fronts, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to take Game 1.