5/6/2025
(Las Vegas, NV)
Zach Hyman’s go ahead goal with 3:02 left was part of a three goal third period, lifting the Edmonton Oilers past the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1. Edmonton with the win takes home ice advantage from a Golden Knights team that won the Pacific division in the regular season.
The Oilers saw goals from Corey Perry, Leon Draisaitl, Hyman, and Connor Brown. Mark Stone scored both goals for Vegas in the first period.
The series is a rematch of the highly anticipated 2023 series that saw the Golden Knights win in six games en route to winning their only Stanley Cup. Edmonton the following year, made their own trip to the Stanley Cup Final, only to fall short in completing a 3-0 series comeback in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. The Oilers endured an array of injuries going into their first round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. In their fourth consecutive first round encounter with LA, clutch scoring, and steady goaltending from Calvin Pickard paved the way for a wild six game series win. Vegas rallied to win three straight games against the Minnesota Wild to close their series out in six games.
The series is a showcase of the finest of the Pacific division. The last two representatives of the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final locking horns for the second time in three seasons has the makings of a fantastic series.
Edmonton called on Calvin Pickard between the pipes for Edmonton after winning all four of his starts against LA. Vegas relied on Stanley Cup winning goaltender Adin Hill to patrol the crease for the VGK.
1:33 into game 1, Vegas vaulted to the power play thanks to a double minor on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Minutes later, Golden Knight Mark Stone scored off a deflection from a Shea Theodore wrist shot at 2:13. Stone was on it again when he received a drop pass from Jack Eichel. Stone from the right slot ripped a shot by the glove side of Calvin Pickard at 9:03 to put the VGK up 2-0 in the period. Edmonton responded late in the frame when Corey Perry stashed a Connor McDavid pass by Adin Hill at 16:26. The Golden Knights led 2-1 after 20 minutes.
The second period saw Edmonton outshoot Vegas 12-1, yet no goals were scored. The same would not be true in the third.
The Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl needed only 57 seconds into the third to tie the game for Edmonton. The leading Hart Trophy candidate batted a loose rebound to level the game in the opening minute of the third. Game 1 carries a heavy weight towards being on the right foot to start a best of seven series. The next goal would carry massive magnitude.
Edmonton’s Zach Hyman snapped an Evander Kane pass at 16:58 of the third by Adin Hall to hand the Oilers their first lead of the game. Connor Brown minutes later at 18:14 iced the game on a breakaway to put outcome in no doubt.
The Oilers 4-2 win gives Edmonton home ice advantage in the series. The victory is a testament to the resolve the Oilers showed on the road to the Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season. Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said of the win, “If you can pick a period that you’re going to be the strongest in as a coach, you want to be the best in the third period because that’s where it’s going to come down to”. And it came down to a strong third period to help the Oilers steal game 1 in the Sin City.
Up Next: Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN and CBC.
Stay tuned to ESN for more updates on the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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