The Oilers Advance to the 2025 Western Conference Finals

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights (GAME 5)

The Edmonton Oilers won Game 5 in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights and punched their ticket into the Western Conference Finals. This matchup took place at the T-Mobile Arena and ended with a 1-0 overtime shutout for the Oilers on May 14, 2025. Read about what led to the Oilers’ win, the standout players of each team, stats, and when their next game is scheduled! 

Game Recap

The atmosphere at T-Mobile arena intensified throughout Game 5 with the series on the line for the Knights and the Oilers being one-game away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Both teams amplified their physicality and had great scoring chances throughout all three periods, however, the game remained 0-0 due to the outstanding goaltending performances by Knights’ #33 Adin Hill and Oilers’ #74 Stuart Skinner. With the game remaining scoreless by the end of regulation, Game 5 ended up going into sudden death with high-stakes on the line for both teams.

Knights goaltender, #33 Hill, remained strong in the first five minutes of overtime despite the Oilers coming in hot and maintaining puck possession. The Knights did end up having a couple chances score on #74 Skinner after regaining puck possession, however, the score continued to remain at a standstill (0-0). After a hard fought battle, the game-winning goal scored by #42 Kasperi Kapanen and the impressive shutout by #74 Stuart Skinner helped send the Oilers to the Western Conference Final with a 1-0 overtime victory.  

The standout players

Edmonton Oilers

• Forward: #42 Kasperi Kapanen scored the game-winning overtime goal 

• Defensemen: #25 Darnell Nurse assisted the game-winning overtime goal

• Goaltender: #74 Stuart Skinner had a save percentage of 1.000% after he saved all 24 shots on goal

Vegas Golden Knights

• Goaltender: #33 Adin Hill had a save percentage of 0.967% after he saved 29 out of 30 shots on goal

Stats

• The Oilers outshot the Knights (30 SOG vs. 24 SOG)

• The Knights delivered more hits than the Oilers (50 hits vs. 46 hits)

• The Knights won more faceoffs than the Oilers (53.1% vs 46.9%) 

• Both teams had a 0% power play success rate

SUMMARY: Despite the Knights playing a more physical game and winning more faceoffs, the Oilers’ ability to maintain puck possession during overtime greatly benefited the team and helped them to generate plays in order to score the game-winning goal. The teams would not have gone to overtime with a 0-0 standstill if it wasn’t for the impressive performances by their goaltenders. 

The Edmonton Oilers won the series 4-1in round two of the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights

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