Edmonton Oilers Archives

On May 13, 2023

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

Since Game 1, the Golden Knights and Oilers series hadn’t seen a game within three goals in the final 10 minutes. So, while much has been learned about the matchup between the two teams, close defensive hockey was still a question mark.

That was until last night.

Following the kill of a major penalty that brought the score from 4-2 to 4-3, the Golden Knights put on a clinic in how to defend the most potent offense in the NHL this season.

I thought it was our best all around defensive game. Our team has responded well to situational hockey in the playoffs when we’ve had the lead. We understand the value of easy chances against so we’re making the other team work. We did a really good job of that last night and I think we are good 5-on-5 with the lead. -Bruce Cassidy

Vegas became an entry denial machine that stifled the Oilers for the entire 3rd period, not allowing them to erase the one goal deficit. Edmonton generated a measly four shots on goal in nearly 10 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey. And, the Oilers mustered up just 0.21 expected goals in the 3rd period with all ten skaters on the ice, less than half of what they accumulated in each of the first two periods.

Good gaps, check with our feet, staying tight and defending as five as we have all year. I thought we executed plays really well and we won those battles and got the clears when we needed to and got a couple big stops which you need. There’s a lot to build off of there and I thought we executed well. -Nic Hague

It was all highlighted by one shift though, a shift that wasn’t even played in the defensive end of the ice.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 EDMONTON OILERS 3 (VGK 3-2)

On May 12, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the Edmonton Oilers for Game 5 from T-Mobile Arena. Vegas committed an early penalty which Edmonton took advantage of and struck first. Less than a minute later, Jack Eichel evened the score, getting his team right back on track. Midway through the frame the Oilers regained their lead with their second power play goal of the period.

The first half of the middle frame was back and forth but neither team could find the back of the net. Late in the period the Oilers committed two costly penalties giving the Golden Knights a 5-on-3 man-advantage. Vegas went on to score twice in the period taking a 3-2 lead. Mark Stone and Reilly Smith added the power play goals and a minute later Nic Haque gave Vegas a two-goal lead. After 40 minutes the home team held a 4-2 edge.

Vegas needed to kill off a Keegan Kolesar five-minute major to start the period which the visiting team got within one. The two teams would swap power plays but neither could add to their score. The Golden Knights fought off a late attack from the Oilers but held off and took Game 5.

The Golden Knights take a (3-2) series lead with their 4-3 victory over the Oilers. Vegas will have a chance to clinch the series on Sunday in Edmonton. Puck drop for Game 6 is TBD. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: As has been the case for most of this series, the Golden Knights got the better of the special teams and the Oilers stayed in the game with their power play. VGK’s power play finally came through in a big way though scoring twice on a 5-on-3 situation and then tallying the next moments later. From there, it was an unbelievable job to defend through the neutral zone and keep the Oilers’ speed at bay. What a game for the Golden Knights. Despite better shorelines, this is the most impressive of the series. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Defense Set Early Tone For Game 4 Dud

By Jason Pothier

On May 11, 2023

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

For the better part of eight games, the Golden Knights defense have carried their team to success in the postseason. That was until last night’s Game 4 in Edmonton. Not only did Vegas’ blueliners jump start the Oilers offense in the opening period but they potentially put their team at a disadvantage for Friday’s Game 5 too.

Before the game clock hit the eight-minute mark Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore committed two slashing penalties and committed an egregious turnover. Unfortunately, the bad luck didn’t end for the 27-year-old blueliner. Edmonton cashed in on Theodore’s second slash and things began to unravel for the Golden Knights 7:38 into Game 4. Almost six minutes later, the Oilers took a three-goal edge, all with Theodore on the ice.

Opening 13:30 of Game 4

Score: 3-0 EDM (2 EV, 1 PP)
Shots on Goal: EDM – 8, VGK – 2
Penalties: VGK (Theodore – 2 x Slashing), EDM (McLeod – Tripping)
Faceoff Wins: EDM – 6, VGK – 4
Hits: EDM – 14, VGK – 11

It’s been stressed a dozen times over the past week; do not give the Oilers power play opportunities. Although Edmonton scored just once on the man-advantage in Game 4, it came seven minutes into the game, doubled their lead and completely shell-shocked the Golden Knights. Theodore’s inability to cleanly defend opened the door for an Oilers rout. Of course, it wasn’t just the penalties taken because Edmonton was the first team to hit the box. It was a combination of over-committing, poor positioning and problems tracking the puck. It was uncharacteristic for an overall reliable defenseman.

Going back to the last series with the Winnipeg Jets, Vegas’ blueline has been the team’s most consistent unit. Last night, the shaky defense hurt VGK’s attempt at taking a two-game series lead back home for Friday’s Game 5. It’s easy to compliment the opponent’s attack but even coach Bruce Cassidy couldn’t hold back after last night’s 4-1 defeat.

EDMONTON OILERS 4 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 (Series 2-2)

On May 10, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights were looking to take a two-game series lead with a win in Game 4. The Golden Knights were awarded a power play :26 into the game but failed to convert into an opening lead. After Vegas killed off a Shea Theodore penalty, Edmonton crashed the net and took the first lead of the game. The Oilers didn’t slow down and scored on their second power play opportunity. Minutes later, the Golden Knights gave up another goal and took a 3-0 deficit into the first intermission.

Vegas’ goaltender Adin Hill slowed down Edmonton’s offense with some key saves in the second period, but his defense continued to struggle in their own zone. With five minutes remaining in the middle frame the Oilers stretched their lead to 4-0.

Nic Roy finally got Vegas on the board 5:58 into the final 20 minutes. Vegas made a final push but couldn’t get any closer.

The Oilers defeated the Golden Knights 4-1 in Game 4 and even the series 2-2. Vegas will try and regain their conference semifinals lead with a win on Friday night. Puck drop for Game 5 is scheduled for 7 PM in Las Vegas. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Similar to Game 2, the Golden Knights just could not get the ball rolling in the right direction tonight. A few unfortunate non-calls expedited the process but VGK were never good enough to win this game. It’s the fourth consecutive game in the series where one team has dominated and the other can’t stem the tide. VGK better be sure to be the one that does it in Game 5 at home. (Analysis by Ken)

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Defensemen Must Successfully Walk Fine Line In Possession vs Gap Control

On May 10, 2023

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

In Game 3, Zach Whitecloud scored the first and only goal this postseason from a Golden Knights defenseman. An overlap in coverage by the Oilers found Whitecloud walking in on goal all alone where he ripped a beautiful shot short-side past Stuart Skinner.

In that situation, it was a no brainer for Whitecloud to carry the puck deep into the zone and fire a shot on goal. This series though, Vegas defenseman have had to be ultra careful when they’ve abandoned the blue line to extend plays in the offensive zone.

I th0ught the first 10 minutes of the game opened up because we they were exiting the zone quickly and we gave up some odd-man rushes. That’s a part of the game we’ll look back and say we need to correct that because it could have worked against us. We have to be cognizant of how they can transition quickly to create offense. -Bruce Cassidy

In the 1st period, the Golden Knights gave up three two-on-ones and another even-man break that ultimately led to Edmonton’s only goal of the game. All four followed a similar pattern. When the puck was turned over the Oilers were able to hit one quick pass that eliminated a Vegas defenseman. Once it was a chip past Whitecloud in the neutral zone, another was a pass behind Hague after Nic missed on a shot attempt, and the other two were simple stretch passes to Oilers forwards who had already exited the offensive zone.

Every possession in the offensive zone for the Golden Knights in this series is crucial. To beat the Oilers, Vegas has to spend extended periods of time with the puck as far away from their own goal as possible. This forces the Edmonton’s elite forwards to defend, puts stress on a below-average Oilers’ defense, and if done right, when the puck turns over, makes Edmonton travel through five Vegas players on their way across the offensive blue line.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5 EDMONTON OILERS 1 (VGK 2-1)

On May 8, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights were looking to take a 2-1 series lead with a win in Game 3 over the Oilers. Edmonton opened the scoring 2:45 into the game but Jonathan Marchessault tied the game two minutes with his first goal of the postseason. Later in the period Vegas goaltender Laurent Brossoit was injured and replaced by backup Adin Hill. With under a minute to play in the opening 20 minutes Marchessault tapped in another to put Vegas ahead 2-1.

Vegas’ offense conituned to click in the middle frame. Three different Golden Knights (scored in the period to stretch their lead to 5-1.

The Golden Knights held Edmonton to only a few chances in the third period to preserve their four-goal edge.

The Golden Knights take a 2-1 series lead with their 5-1 victory in Edmonton. Vegas will try and take a two game gap the with a Game 4 win on Wednesday. Puck drop from Edmonton is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The perfect game plan matched with the perfect execution resulted in one of the better playoff games in team history. The Golden Knights started the game by dumping the puck in and getting to work below the goal line. They were able to win plenty of stick battles which led to chances right out in front. Marchessault poked two of those home giving VGK a lead at intermission. From there, the Oilers backed off and Vegas’ transition offense came to life. Along the way, VGK frustrated Leon Draisaitl and the game completely snowballed in favor of the Golden Knights. Brilliant on so many levels, including Adin Hill coming up huge in relief. (Analysis by Ken)

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Golden Knights Need Puck Possession, Been Here Before

On May 8, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

From the moment the puck was dropped to begin Game 2, the Golden Knights were on the hunt to get it back.

They had the puck the whole time. And they held onto it and were strong on it, cutbacks, support below the goal line, you name it, all things we didn’t do well enough to tilt the game back in our favor. -Bruce Cassidy

From the first zone entry that was quickly cleared and sent down for a dangerous Edmonton chance to the second to the third to the 20th, the Golden Knights could not consistently get across the blue line to establish offensive zone time.

On the first few they tried to dump it in and chase, but as that grew increasingly more unsuccessful and the score started to snowball against them, Vegas turned to attempting to carry the puck into the zone and the success rate diminished even further.

It led to an appalling lack of zone time for the Golden Knights that manifested in just nine shot attempts and a measly four shots on goal.

EDMONTON OILERS 5 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 (Series 1-1)

On May 6, 2023

Recap: The Golden Knights were trying to take a two-game series lead against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Vegas committed two costly penalties in the first seven minutes of the game. Edmonton took advantage of their PP opportunities and took a 2-0 lead at the 7:01 mark. Minutes later the Golden Knights were awarded their own man advantage, but the Oilers jumped on a loose puck and tripled the score with a shorthanded goal. Towards the end of the period, Edmonton added another to take a 4-0 lead into the first intermission.

Midway through the period, Jack Eichel was called for his second penalty of the game and the Oilers didn’t hesitate to add to their lead. Connor McDavid slipped in his second goal of the game giving Edmonton a commanding 5-0 lead.

Early in the final period the Golden Knights broke the shutout and scored to climb within four. Ivan Barbashev recorded his 4th goal of the postseason making it 5-1 Edmonton. The Oilers killed out the remaining time and finished off Game 2 with a four-goal victory.

The Oilers even the series with their 5-1 over the Golden Knights. The conference semifinals shift to Edmonton for Games 3 & 4 beginning on Monday night. Puck drop for Game 3 is scheduled for 5:30 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Oilers said they were going to come out and play a lot better than they did in Game 1, and boy did they ever. That being said, the Golden Knights obliged and played about as poorly as they have in their six-year history. Very little offensive zone time led to a wide-open neutral zone and the Oilers flooded chances. From there, the penalty train started and the Oilers power play took over. An absolute disaster of a game for Vegas. The series is tied, ans now it’s VGK’s time to take a look in the mirror and respond on Monday. (Analysis by Ken)

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Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena.

Oilers on Golden Knights: “It’s Nothing They Did”, “Nothing To Worry About”

By Jason Pothier

On May 5, 2023