After what could not have been much worse of a start, the Edmonton Oilers were able to take over Game 1 and eventually defeat the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 4–2. The Oilers gave the Knights an early lead and were down 2–0 after the first period. After that, though, Edmonton owned the gameplay, didn’t allow Vegas much of anything, and pulled away to take the early series lead.
Turning the Tide
The Oilers looked out of sorts early on, giving up two goals in the first ten minutes—both to Vegas captain Mark Stone, who capitalized once on the power play and again off a setup by Jack Eichel. But instead of unraveling, Edmonton found their footing.
Veteran Corey Perry sparked the comeback late in the first, finishing a great feed from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. That goal seemed to calm the bench and set the tone for what would follow. From the second period onward, the Oilers suffocated the Golden Knights, outshooting and outchancing them while controlling possession through the neutral zone.
The Big Guns Deliver
Edmonton’s star players showed up when it mattered most. Draisaitl tied the game just 57 seconds into the third period, finishing off a slick passing play from McDavid and Evan Bouchard. With the building energized, the Oilers kept coming. Zach Hyman gave the Oilers their first lead with just over three minutes to go, tipping home a shot from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins after a strong shift by the second line.
Connor Brown iced it with an empty-net goal less than two minutes later, capping off a well-earned comeback win for the Oilers.
Pickard Holds His Ground
Calvin Pickard wasn’t tested often—facing just 17 shots—but he was solid when called upon. After the rough opening ten minutes, he made a couple of key stops to keep the game within reach, including a sliding save on Barbashev and a glove stop off a point shot from Theodore. It was a solid, if unspectacular, performance, but exactly what Edmonton needed.
By the Numbers
•McDavid and Draisaitl combined for 4 points, showing why they remain the league’s most dangerous duo.
•Evan Bouchard logged over 26 minutes and added two assists, continuing his strong postseason play.
•The Oilers outshot the Golden Knights 28–17, including a 10–4 edge in the third period.
•Mark Stone was the lone offensive bright spot for Vegas, scoring both goals.
•Connor Brown now has four goals in the playoffs, an unexpected but welcomed contribution from the bottom six.
The Edmonton Oilers will look to build on this performance heading into Game 2. Vegas will no doubt be looking to respond with more intensity, and Edmonton will have to be ready from the drop of the puck. The biggest takeaway from Game 1? The Oilers showed they can take a punch, reset, and hit back harder.
Game 2 is set for Thursday, and if it’s anything like the opener, we’re in for a battle.