LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy might solely snicker on the brilliance that was Leon Draisaitl, who scored 4 objectives to almost beat Vegas by himself.
However, the Golden Knights prevailed in Game 1 of the second-round playoff collection as a result of their depth was the distinction in Wednesday evening’s 6-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Ivan Barbashev scored two objectives, together with one which put Vegas forward for good, and he was considered one of 5 Knights gamers to seek out the again of the online.
It was the second evening in a row a staff had received regardless of permitting an opposing participant to attain 4 objectives. Seattle beat Dallas 5-4 on Tuesday even with Joe Pavelski scoring 4 objectives for the Stars. Teams with a participant scoring 4 objectives had been 36-3 earlier than that recreation within the playoffs, and it had been 30 years since a staff had overcome such a efficiency.
This was the Oilers’ first regulation loss since March 11.
“Overall, we weren’t good enough,” Draisaitl stated. “It’s not even close to how we play. We’ve got to move on, and we’ll be better.”
PHOTOS: Golden Knights beat Oilers 6-4 regardless of Draisaitl’s 4 objectives
In addition to Barbashev, the Knights additionally obtained objectives from Chandler Stephenson, Michael Amadio, Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. Eichel’s purpose was an empty netter from deep in his zone, and he and Stone additionally every had an help. Zach Whitecloud had two assists.
Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Zach Lyman and Connor McDavid every had two assists for the Oilers.
“I don’t think our team was anywhere near where it needed to be in order to walk away with a road win in the playoffs,” Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft stated. “Leon had a great effort. He’s been good all playoffs, but our team can do things a lot better than we did tonight.”
Game 2 is Saturday in Las Vegas.
Draisaitl prolonged his purpose streak to 4 video games, and he has at the very least some extent in all seven playoff video games. He had by no means scored 4 objectives in a playoff recreation, and had reached that mark simply as soon as within the common season – March 2, 2020, towards Nashville.
Draisaitl has 11 objectives within the postseason.
“Does that sound funny to you, 11 goals in the second round,” Cassidy stated. “That is unbelievable.”
Two of his objectives towards Vegas got here on the facility play, making Edmonton 11 of 19 this postseason with the person benefit. The Oilers set an NHL report in the course of the common season by changing 32.4% of their probabilities.
One purpose, at even power, got here on the finish of the primary interval when Draisaitl bounced a puck off Knights goalie Laurent Brossoit from the purpose line.
This collection was billed because the Oilers’ star energy towards the Knights’ balanced assault, and that’s how the opening recreation performed out. Vegas discovered a approach even with one of many NHL’s most dynamic scorers having a profession evening.
“We used our four lines,” Cassidy stated. “We didn’t have to get too far away from our line combinations. We’re aware of their top guys and the damage they can do, but we like our team. We feel like if our team plays well, we’ll have success.”
After Draisaitl scored on an influence play lower than two minutes into the third interval to make the rating 3-3, the Knights took the lead for good with two objectives in 50 seconds. Barbashev scored on a rebound and Stephenson from the precise circle.
“It doesn’t matter who scores, them or us, the next shift is huge,” Barbashev stated. “I think we did a better job by that. It feels good.”
NOTES
Oilers ahead Mattias Janmark took an ungainly spill into the boards within the first interval and was taken into the locker room. … Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner is considered one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, which matches to the league’s prime rookie. … In addition to Draisaitl, Bouchard additionally has factors in all seven video games this postseason, and McDavid has a six-game level streak. For Vegas, Mark Stone has factors in 5 consecutive video games.
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