Round 2 is finally here, and the Edmonton Oilers are back in action tonight as they open their second-round series against the Pacific Division winning Vegas Golden Knights. After beating the Los Angeles Kings in six hard-fought games, the Oilers now turn their attention to a deeper, more experienced opponent in what’s shaping up to be a heavyweight clash in the Western Conference.
Edmonton’s first-round victory wasn’t perfect, but it showcased the growth and resilience of a team hungry to take that next step. The stars led the way, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continued to produce at an elite level, Connor Brown found his scoring touch under playoff pressure, and Evan Bouchard looked every bit like a top-tier offensive defenseman. Most importantly, when momentum shifted or adversity hit, the Oilers found ways to respond.
Vegas may not have dominated the regular season as much as they have in the past, but don’t let that fool you. The Golden Knights handled the Minnesota Wild in six games and have a reputation for elevating their play in the postseason. Their lineup remains deep, balanced, and tough to break through. With Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Tomas Hertl up front, and a mobile, hard-nosed defense corps, Vegas presents a very different challenge than the Kings did.
This series will come down to execution and discipline. Edmonton’s power play was lethal against Los Angeles, and if the Golden Knights can't keep the Oilers off the man advantage, they’ll be in trouble. But 5-on-5 play will be just as crucial. Vegas thrives in transition and can capitalize quickly on mistakes, so Edmonton’s puck management and defensive awareness will need to be sharp.
There are also questions in goal. Stuart Skinner was bad in games one and two and was replaced by Calvin Pickard who finished Round 1 with 4 straight wins. Even with the 4 wins, he will need to be better, and more consistent against a team that creates scoring chances in waves. On the other side, Adin Hill is steady but also had a bit of a tough first round finishing with a sub 0.900 SV%. If the Oilers can get to him early, it could shift the series in their favour.
Puck drops tonight in Vegas, and the stage is set. Edmonton has been building toward this moment all season, and now they’re just four wins away from another trip to the Western Conference Final.
Let’s see what this team is made of.