(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
The next matchup is set as the Golden Knights will take on the Edmonton Oilers in Round Two. Edmonton finished off the LA Kings in six games yesterday and come into the series as one of the hottest teams in the league.
Despite falling into a 2-1 series hole and trailing 3-0 in Game 4, the Oilers turned it around erasing that three goal deficit and winning three straight against Los Angeles. They ended the regular season on a nine game win streak and posted an 18-2-1 record since March 1st.
These two teams matched up four times in the regular season with the Oilers winning three of the games. Vegas posted a 1-2-1 record against Edmonton while the Oilers were 3-0-1. Mark Stone played in just one of the four games, the OT loss at Rogers Place in November.
Let’s dive into the stats to see how the two teams matchup in ahead of Game 1 on Wednesday.
Record
Vegas: 51-22-9, 111 points (5th)
Edmonton: 50-23-9, 109 points (T-6th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 4-1
Edmonton: 4-2
Goals For
Edmonton: 325, 3.96 per game (1st)
Vegas: 272, 3.32 per game (14th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 25, 4.2 per game (1st)
Vegas: 19, 3.8 per game (4th)
Goals Against
Vegas: 225, 2.74 per game (11th)
Edmonton: 256, 3.07 per game (17th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 13, 2.8 per game (6th)
Edmonton: 20, 3.3 per game (9th)
Shots For
Edmonton: 2755, 33.6 per game (6th)
Vegas: 2587, 31.5 per game (15th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 212, 35.3 per game (2nd)
Vegas: 159, 31.8 per game (8th)
Save Percentage
Vegas: .911 (7th)
Edmonton: .901 (15th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: .909 (7th)
Edmonton: .901 (8th)
Shooting Percentage
Edmonton: 11.8% (1st)
Vegas: 10.3% (12th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 11.9% (2nd)
Edmonton: 11.8% (3rd)
Power Play
Edmonton: 32.4% (1st)
Vegas: 20.3% (18th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 56.3% (1st)
Vegas: 18.8% (12th)
Penalty Kill
Vegas: 77.4% (19th)
Edmonton: 77.0% (20th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 66.7% (12th)
Vegas: 58.3% (15th)
Blocks
Vegas: 1494 (1st)
Edmonton: 1037 (29th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 18.7 per game (2nd)
Edmonton: 17.7 per game (6th)
Hits
Vegas: 1930 (13th)
Edmonton: 1873 (16th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 40.4 per game (5th)
Edmonton: 38.7 per game (7th)
The Golden Knights may have ended up with the better record by one win, but the Oilers have the edge statistically in this series. Their offense was the best in the league in the regular season and they continued it into the playoffs. The power play is literally the best in the history of the league, edging out the 1977-78 Canadiens by 0.5%.
Defensively, the Oilers can be had though. Their goaltending as average at best, they don’t block a lot of shots, and they aren’t big hitters. Things have improved a bit so far in the playoffs though.
On to the fancier numbers.
5-on-5 Shot Share (Corsi)
Edmonton: 51.6% (10th)
Vegas: 50.0% (17th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 52.7% (4th)
Vegas: 49.2% (11th)
5-on-5 Goal Share (GF%)
Vegas: 53.8% (11th)
Edmonton: 53.2% (12th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 71.4% (1st)
Edmonton: 57.7% (3rd)
5-on-5 Expected Goal Share (xGF%)
Edmonton: 53.6% (6th)
Vegas: 50.9% (16th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 54.8% (2nd)
Edmonton: 54.3% (3rd)
5-on-5 – High Danger Shooting Percentage (HDSH%)
Vegas: 17.7 (8th)
Edmonton: 16.5% (26th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 29.4% (1st)
Edmonton: 13.1% (14th)
All Strengths – High Danger Scoring Chance Share (HDCF%)
Edmonton: 56.0% (3rd)
Vegas: 53.4% (12th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 61.8% (1st)
Edmonton: 53.0% (5th)
These two teams are not separated by much when it comes to 5-on-5 play. Vegas has been excellent at even strength in the playoffs so far, including their insane 29.4% high danger shooting percentage. To win this series, the Golden Knights will have to be the much better team at 5-on-5.
Now for late game numbers.
Goals With Own Net Is Empty
Vegas: 7 (T-7th)
Edmonton: 5 (T-19th)
Shots For Per 60 With Own Net Empty
Edmonton: 84.6 (5th)
Vegas: 79.4 (6th)
Expected Goals Per 60 With Own Net Empty
Edmonton: 8.73 (4th)
Vegas: 5.49 (27th)
Goals Allowed When Opposition Net Empty
Edmonton: 4 (T-6th)
Vegas: 7 (23rd)
Goals Scored When Opposition Net Empty
Edmonton: 16 (T-8th)
Vegas: 14 (T-13th)
Shots Against Per 60 When Opposition Net Empty
Vegas: 52.7 (4th)
Edmonton: 79.6 (27th)
Expected Goals Against Per 60 When Opposition Net Empty
Vegas: 4.7 (3rd)
Edmonton: 7.9 (24th)
Finally, we’ll look into game state.
When Score First
Vegas: 38-5-3 (.858)
Edmonton: 32-8-4 (.773)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 2-0
Edmonton: 3-1
When Concede First
Edmonton: 18-15-5 (.539)
Vegas: 13-17-6 (.444)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 2-1
Edmonton: 1-1
Lead After 2nd Period
Vegas: 34-1-2 (.946)
Edmonton: 34-1-5 (.913)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 3-0
Edmonton: 2-1
Trail After 2nd Period
Vegas: 7-16-1 (.313)
Edmonton: 6-19-2 (.259)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 0-1
Edmonton: 0-0
Wins When Trailing At Any Point
Edmonton: 22 (T-4th)
Vegas: 18 (T-13th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 2
Edmonton: 1
Losses After Leading At Any Point
Vegas: 12 (2nd)
Edmonton: 14 (T-4th)
*Playoffs*
Vegas: 0
Edmonton: 1
**Stats for this article were sourced from NHL.com, NaturalStatTrick.com, and MoreHockeyStats.com.**
knights fan in minny
stay out of the sin bin the oil power play is lethal
Richie-Rich
Slowing down that top line, clogging them up in the neutral zone will be ideal but probably impossible, yes they are that good. That means reducing the number of shots that line gets on goal. Period. That is objective #1.
Objective #2. Reducing penalties will tough because more often than not that top line is going to draw a hook, hold or slash as the VGK tries to prevent shots.
No shit, the entire series hinges on just how successful the VGK can be with these two objectives. Not much else matters. Win these two objectives and you beat Edmonton in round 2.
knights fan in minny
the oil d can be beat skinner is just okay his flub last night was pretty funny i can’t believe the nhl does not have the times for round 2 set yet i would guess sometime today i would like to see it start Wednesday give nabber a extra day
Jake
The Vegas regular season team which lost to Edmonton no longer exists.
Stone is in, Kessel, the penalty King, is out.
Vegas is healthy. Mc David’s knee is out of sorts.
Play “heavy hockey” vs Edmonton, and bore them to death, and Vegas wins it.
Satan
This is Satan.
In a nutshell, Satan absolutely agrees with the comments that Jake has made. We are a different team with Mark Stone. If McDavid‘s knee is an issue, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to target it in a subtle way,
but to maintain composure as well and stay out of the penalty box.
Satan has spoken.
Jailbird
The ONLY stat that really matters is Oilers scoring PP goals. We must stay out of the box,period. Do that and we WILL when this series. Don’t , and we will surely suffer.
Hdbiker7851
Vegas to stay out of penalty box period. Edmonton at better than 50 percent on pp says it all. If Vegas can accomplish that as l believe they will be close games the pp could very well be the determining factor. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for Vegas where the pp is involved which gives Edmonton an edge not having to worry about taking penaltirs which effects heavy hockey.
GWNorth
The Oilers haven’t lost in regulation since March 11th. Six games flattered LA. Only two losses were in overtime.
Rashaad
That is correct GWNorth. The Oilers are very impressive. The Golden Knights have only lost twice in regulation during that same time period. This will be a very good battle of two excellent teams.
Emmanuel
Line up WK, NR and maybe Blueger against their big C’s. Stephenson may have to go to the wing. Im concerned JE may be overwhelmed.
knights fan in minny
why would you change what’s working
Emmanuel
Because its a completely different team. Do you really want Stephenson & Eichel lining up at home against McD & Leon more than necessary?
hdbiker7851
Apparently, you either don’t know the player #s or names.
Emmanuel
If your referring to me, some of the posters use shorthand for some of the players.
TS
Emmanuel, i don’t know the players’ numbers, either, so I use names or Initials. You’re FINE!!
Pistol Pete
This series will be a test of Cassidy’s ability to moderate the EDM power play. First you stay out of the penalty box as much as possible and second you implement countermeasures against Draisaitl. Not sure how that can be done but one can be sure they are pouring over videos in team meetings. The VGK penalty kill on steroids and attention to detail. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Hopefully the VGK power play continues to improve with Stone on board. That will help offset any success the Oilers have with theirs.
Arnold Rothstein
Edmonton in Six
ARnold
the BRAIN
Emmanuel
This aint Chi-town….
THE hockey GOD
Quick
Hill
and LB
have been practicing in the daily basis
Arnold Rothstein
I’m sorry. I misspoke.
Meant to say Vegas in Seven
ARnold
the BRAIN
THE hockey GOD
There’s a man who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets his name is Leon Draisaitl
With every move he makes
Another chance he takes
Odds are he won’t live to see a goal less game
Beats the goalie Man
He is the Man
They’ve given him a number and taken away his name
Beware of pretty faces that you find in the stands
A pretty face can hide an evil mind
Oh, be careful what you say
Or you’ll skate yourself away
Odds are you won’t live to see him miss the net
Fast skating Man
Hard shooting Man
They’ve given him a number and taken away his name
Swinging on the blue line one day
And then laying out a check the next day
Oh, don’t you let the wrong words slip
While checking with fast hips
Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow
He plays the game like a
Secret Agent Man
Secret Agent Man
They’ve given him a number and taken away his name
ThG
trademark
copyrighted
legit plagerism
tribute to Johnny Rivers = the original secret agent man
Diane
When that song came out, I thought they said Oswald he won’t live see tomorrow!!
We held our own to get to the Playoffs. Now with each of the players coming our . Each addition has added to us playing smarter, faster, stronger and most importantly this team, the Vegas Golden Knights want the Cup and are willing to do whatever it takes to get their names on the cup.
THE hockey GOD
Ode to Leon
Apologies to Bernie Taupin
Leon wears his hockey wound like a crown
He calls his child Jesus
‘Cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town
Leon, Leon likes his money
He makes a lot, they say
Spends his days counting
In a garage by the motorway
He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day
When the New York Times said, “God is dead
And the war’s begun”
Oh, Alvin Draisaitl has a son today
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Leon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon
Leon sells cartoon balloons in shape of hockey pucks in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly
And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus
Leave Leon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing
While Leon, Leon slowly dies
He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day
When the New York Times said, “God is dead
And the war’s begun”
Oh, Alvin Draisaitl has a son today
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Leon
In tradition with the family plan, woo
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Leon
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Leon
In tradition with the family plan, woo
And he shall be Leon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Leon
GWNorth
This is Gold, Hockey God! Permission to share this on the Oilers site?
THE hockey GOD
go for it GW NORTH
THE hockey GOD
welcome to the jungle, GWN
THE hockey GOD
Let me wake up in the morning
To the smell of new -mown hay
To laugh and cry, to live and die
In the brightness of my day
I wannna hear the pealing bells
Of distant churches sing
But most of all, please free me
From this aching metal ring
And open out this cage towards the Sun
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
Towards the dreams
You’ve left very far behind
Jailbird
Come on Arnold, really!
Jailbird
And down goes Boston, ha ha ha . Goodbye ya arrogant pricks!
Emmanuel
Prez Trophy curse…..
Vic
Bruins peaked from Oct,15 2022 to April 15, 2023. Six months of meaningless stats when the second season begins……just ask Tampa. Also goodbye to Colorado. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way to the golf course.
knights fan in minny
the krak are a pesty little team they have some talent grubauer has been really good
Bobby
Bruins and Avs out…. Beautiful day in the hockey world…. !!!
TS
Bobby, yes sir! That was Shock and….OH, CRAP!! Now it’s ANYONE’S CUP TO WIN!!
Jailbird
Amazing round one.
THE hockey GOD
I AGREE
THE BEAST IN THE EAST goes falling down, they spent too much energy
chasing the crown prize !!!
The table has BEEN SET
The path is wide open, the Cup will be won by team from the WEST !
Next up, the Devils knock off their rival the Rangers.
MAY 3rd OILERS @ VGK, the BARN will BE ROCKING !!
where’s sour wine ????
THE hockey GOD
tidbits from vegas hockey now
Also in the Nuggets, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally, FINALLY, won a Round One series. What happens to the Islanders after getting thumped by Carolina? Connor Hellebuyck stirred the NHL trade rumors by saying he wants no part of a rebuild in Winnipeg, while Black Wheeler ripped coach Rick Bowness.
And Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano suffered a broken neck in Game 6 vs. Seattle.
A broken neck?! It was not a clean hit by Jordan Eberle that broke Cogliano’s neck, and he got two minutes and NO call from Player Safety. A minor penalty for a nasty hit that broke someone’s neck. Hello, Department of Player Safety? More like the Ministry of Truth. Woof.
That and more in your VHN Daily Nuggets:
Vegas Golden Knights
Sportsnet: The heavens parted. Toronto is delirious. For the first time since 2004, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a Round One series. Hometown boy John Tavares scored in OT for the series win over the Lightning.
NY Post: The New York Rangers also had their backs to the wall. However, Mika Zibanejad scored his first goal of the series, and the Rangers forced Game 7.
Boston Hockey Now: Given another chance to silence the goalie controversy surrounding his embattled team and struggling starter Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery wouldn’t commit to Ullmark for Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Instead, Montgomery called Ullmark out for not stopping enough pucks in this Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.
Florida Hockey Now: Just as he was a Hart Trophy candidate in the regular season, Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk has already become an early Conn Smythe trophy candidate in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Boston Bruins.
Colorado Hockey Now: After Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle didn’t even get summoned to a hearing Saturday for his questionable hit on forward Andrew Cogliano, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar says he’s done trying to figure out the NHL Department of Player Safety. The Avalanche host the Kraken tonight in a do-or-die Game 7. Cogliano is now out indefinitely with a broken neck. Colorado Avalanche news.
NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The NHL trade rumor mill won’t hit Pittsburgh until they start interviewing GM candidates, but a handful of pending NHL-free agents could change the culture around the soft Pittsburgh Penguins.
Daily Faceoff: This is the drama plot for the day. Wheeler didn’t tow a company line. He called out coach Rick Bowness for publicly ripping the team. And goalie Connor Hellebuyck said he wants no part of a rebuild in Winnipeg. High drama following their loss to the Golden Knights.
Montreal Hockey Now: The NHL trade chatter will only get more intense. The Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois will likely be linked daily until at least July 1.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings want forward Lucas Raymond to play with an edge more in the 2023-24 season.
knights fan in minny
wheeler is a liberal cry baby who cant take the heat
Emmanuel
Pens still think they can get a Cup from that core?
Pistol Pete
History may not look back in favor with Mongomery’s decision to bench his starter for game 7 just because some of the playoff games were not going Ullmark’s way. The guy was like 40-6-1 GAA 1.89 SV% .938 in the regular season. Swayman was pretty decent probably and perhaps the breaks did not go the Bruins’ way but still I doubt benching Ullmark for game 7 was the right move.
A little justice for Grubauer after the Avs traded him to the Kraken. He stole that game. VGK fans might as well root for SEA because should Vegas see the next round conventional wisdom has the Kraken a better matchup than the Stars.
If the Rangers win that will put to East teams in with fewer points than Vegas! I am getting way ahead of myself lol! Oilers is a tall order but doable. Don’t take an excessive number of penalties, forecheck forecheck, defend defend defend..
Pistol Pete
Actually the more I read about and ponder it the more I’m realizing Mongomery’s mistake was to not alternate Ullmark and Swayman as he did during the regular season. He should have given Swayman a start early in the series. Either way he blundered and overall is responsible for not instilling a postseason mentality in his team from game 1.
Howard
Bruins lost not because of tending, but because of turnovers in their own zone, sloppy forecheck, and bringing back a still-injured Bergeron. 100% coaching debacle, period.
THE hockey GOD
For all you Trump haters out there.
What do you hate most: No Wars? Middle East Peace? Strong American Economy? No Inflation?
Growing 401Ks? Market Profits? Low Gas Prices? A Secure Oil Reserves? Low Taxes? A Strong Dollar?
knights fan in minny
sutter will no longer be coaching calgary
Satan
This is Satan.
Good morning fellow VGK fans. My prediction is that the Vegas Golden Knights win the series in seven games.
Satan has spoken.
Arnold Rothstein
Hey Satan, really cool screen name.
Vegas in 7
My pick is now the same as yours. I have changed my mind.
ARnold
the BRAIN
TS
CONSENSUS! What the DEVIL is going on, here??
Satan
Thank you, Mr. Rothstein
Satan
Thank you Arnold
VGK Fan
The single most scary part to me is we rank #19 on the PK and Edmonton has one of best power plays ever. The numbers below are the most important if we can stay out of the box we have a great chance to win!
Power Play
Edmonton: 32.4% (1st)
Vegas: 20.3% (18th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 56.3% (1st)
Vegas: 18.8% (12th)
Penalty Kill
Vegas: 77.4% (19th)
Edmonton: 77.0% (20th)
*Playoffs*
Edmonton: 66.7% (12th)
Vegas: 58.3% (15th)
Pistol Pete
The stats are right on however Vegas can defy them by locking down defensively on the PP and 5 on 5. That is what playoffs hockey is all about. Defying regular season stats. The Panthers did vs. the Bruins so can the Knights vs. the Oilers. It’s on the coach.
Rashaad
VGK Fan. It’s very scary. The Oilers had the greatest power-play of all time in the regular season in regards to percentage efficiency. Tampa and Toronto both have very good power please at 28% and 26% respectively. Edmonton’s power play is better than both of those combined.
In the extremely unlikely situation that it were to continue at an over 50% efficiency then the series would already be over before it started.
ilan
This blog is full of great ideas and I’m so inspired by it!
THE hockey GOD
welcome to jungle Ilan