5/6/25 Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs Game Recap

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights (GAME 1)

The Edmonton Oilers won Game 1 in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights. This matchup took place at the T-Mobile Arena and ended with a final score of 4-2 in the Oilers' favor. Read about what led to the Oilers’ win, the standout players of each team, stats, and when their next game is scheduled! 

Game Recap

T-Mobile Arena grew with excitement when the Knights struck two minutes into the second round opener. #61 C. Mark Stone gave the Knights a 1-0 lead after he opened up the game with a power play goal that was deflected past Oilers’ goaltender, #30 Calvin Pickard. Seven minutes later, the Knights Captain extended their lead, 2-0, with a wrist shot that slipped through #30 Pickard. The Oilers were able to answer back with a goal scored by #90 Corey Perry with four minutes left in the period. Knights’ goaltender, #33 Adin Hill, was able to maintain the team’s one-goal lead and keep it a 2-1 game going into the second period of the game. 

The impressive goaltending efforts by the Knights’ #33 Hill and Oilers’ #30 Pickard helped to keep the score 2-1 in the Knights’ favor despite both teams having tremendous chances to score a goal. The Knights' penalty kill unit also played a key role in keeping the second period scoreless when the Oilers had the man-advantage midway through the period. 

After struggling in the second period, the Oilers regrouped during intermission and tied the game fifty-seven seconds into the last period of regulation. Oilers’ #29 Leon Draisaitl scored the backhanded game-tying goal and made it a 2-2 game early in the third period. This tied standstill broke when the Oilers scored two additional goals in the final four minutes of the period which secured their 4-2 win. The goal that initially extended the Oilers’ lead was scored by #18 Zach Hyman (3-2). A couple minutes later #28 Connor Brown made the Knights’ deficit two-goals after he scored in the final two-minutes of regulation (4-2). The goaltending performance in the third period by #30 Pickard also greatly benefited the Oilers' Game 1 victory.

The standout players

Edmonton Oilers

• Forward: #29 Leon Draisaitl ended the game with 2 points (1G, 1A) 

• Defensemen: #2 Evan Bouchard assisted two goals

• Goaltender: #30 Calvin Pickard had a save percentage of 0.882% after he saved 15 out of 17 shots on goal

Vegas Golden Knights

• Forward: #61 C. Mark Stone scored both Knights goals of this game (2G)

• Defensemen: #27 Shea Theodore assisted one of the Knights goals 

• Goaltender: #33 Adin Hill had a save percentage of 0.857% after he saved 24 out of 28 shots on goal

Stats

• The Oilers outshot the Knights (28 SOG vs. 17 SOG)

• The Knights delivered more hits than the Oilers (42 hits vs. 33 hits)

• The Oilers won more faceoffs than the Knights (63.5% vs. 36.5%) 

• The Knights had a higher power play success rate than the Oilers (33.3PP% vs. 0 PP%)

SUMMARY: The Oilers’ overall ability to maintain puck possession throughout this game helped them to win this game despite the Knights playing a more physical game and finding more success on the man-advantage. 

Upcoming Games

GAME 2

• When: May 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST

• Where: T-Mobile Arena

• Watch: ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS

GAME 3

• When: May 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM PST

• Where: Rogers Place

• Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max

GAME 4

• When: May 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST

• Where: Rogers Place

• Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max

NOTE: Games 5-7 are TBD for each team as they will be scheduled if necessary

GAME 5

• When: May 14, 2025 at TBD PST

• Where: T-Mobile Arena

• Watch: ESPN, TVAS

GAME 6

• When: May 16, 2025 at TBD PST

• Where: Rogers Place

• Watch: TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max

GAME 7

• When: May 18, 2025 at TBD PST

• Where: T-Mobile Arena

• Watch: TNT, Max, TVAS

The Edmonton Oilers lead 1-0 in round two of the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights

Who do you think is going to win Game 2?

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