How the Golden Knights got a playoff spot despite losing to the Edmonton Oilers.

The 2024–2025 NHL season has been one of intense competition and high stakes, especially for teams in the Western Conference, where the race for playoff positions was incredibly tight. For the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that has made its mark as one of the most consistent franchises in recent years, securing a playoff berth was an anticipated goal. However, even after suffering a loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Golden Knights found themselves clinching a playoff spot, proving that success in the NHL is not always determined by a single game but by a combination of factors, including consistency, depth, and resilience over the course of an entire season.

The Golden Knights’ playoff berth, despite the loss to the Oilers, highlights just how important the larger body of work is in the NHL and how a single game—even one against a formidable opponent like the Oilers—doesn’t necessarily define a team’s ultimate success. This article will explore how the Golden Knights secured their playoff spot despite this setback, examining their overall performance throughout the season, key contributors, and the crucial moments that allowed them to rise above the competition.

A Season of Consistency

One of the primary reasons the Golden Knights were able to secure a playoff spot despite losing to the Oilers was their consistent performance throughout the season. From the opening puck drop, Vegas established itself as one of the more well-rounded and disciplined teams in the NHL. Their ability to maintain a steady level of play, especially in critical moments, helped them stay in the playoff race even when they stumbled in certain matchups.

Throughout the season, the Golden Knights were able to weather periods of adversity, including key injuries, while still maintaining their competitive edge. Unlike some teams that rely on peaks and valleys, Vegas excelled by remaining consistent in their defensive systems and offensive contributions from multiple lines. This consistency is often the hallmark of a successful playoff team, and Vegas demonstrated it in spades during the 2024–2025 campaign.

In the NHL, there is no shortage of teams that experience ups and downs throughout the season, but the Golden Knights managed to remain steady in terms of their performance, particularly when facing other teams in the Western Conference. This stability allowed them to stay within reach of the top playoff positions, even when the Oilers managed to claim a victory in their direct matchup.

Strong Goaltending and Defensive Play

At the heart of the Golden Knights’ success was their goaltending, which remained one of the strongest in the league. Led by veteran goaltender Logan Thompson, Vegas benefited from some of the best netminding in the NHL. Thompson’s ability to perform consistently, even in high-pressure situations, was a major factor in keeping the Golden Knights in the playoff race.

Thompson wasn’t alone in making the Golden Knights’ goaltending a standout feature. Backup goalie Jonathan Quick provided invaluable support when called upon, allowing the team to rest Thompson during a packed schedule without significantly sacrificing performance. The tandem’s solid play helped keep the Golden Knights competitive in close games, which in turn, ensured they remained in a good position in the standings.

Beyond the goaltending, the Golden Knights’ defense was also a key contributor to their success. The blue line, led by Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, was both effective at limiting opposing team’s scoring chances and contributing to the offense. Whether it was breaking up plays in the neutral zone or setting up offense in transition, the Golden Knights’ defensemen played a crucial role in driving the team’s overall success.

Even in games where the Golden Knights were unable to secure a victory, such as their matchup against the Oilers, their defensive play was often a key reason why the games remained close. While the Oilers boasted a dynamic offense led by the incomparable Connor McDavid, Vegas’ defense was able to limit the impact of the Oilers’ star players, especially in crucial situations. This defense-first mentality was key in their overall success, particularly in games that had the potential to decide playoff positioning.

Depth and Scoring Contributions Across the Lineup

Another reason the Golden Knights were able to earn a playoff spot, even after the loss to the Oilers, was their ability to generate scoring from multiple sources across the lineup. While the team was fortunate to have superstar talent like Jack Eichel, who consistently produced throughout the season, the Golden Knights’ success didn’t hinge on just one player. Instead, the team saw contributions from across all four lines and three defensive pairings, allowing them to be a formidable force even when facing injuries or slumps.

Jack Eichel was, of course, a major contributor to the Golden Knights’ offensive success, as his vision, playmaking, and goal-scoring ability allowed him to drive the team’s attack. However, what set the Golden Knights apart was the depth they had in their forward group. Players like Chandler Stephenson, Mark Stone, and William Karlsson all made significant contributions, each offering a different skill set that helped fill the void when other players, such as Eichel, were off the ice or facing defensive shutdowns.

This scoring depth was particularly important during games like the one against the Oilers, where Vegas needed to find other ways to generate offense after McDavid and the Oilers’ explosive top line threatened their defensive structure. While Vegas was unable to secure a win in that particular contest, they did manage to maintain offensive pressure with contributions from secondary scorers. These secondary contributions became a huge asset throughout the season, as the Golden Knights didn’t have to rely solely on their stars to win games.

In addition to the forward depth, the Golden Knights also saw contributions from their blue line, as defensemen like Pietrangelo and Theodore chipped in offensively when needed. Their ability to create offense from the back end gave Vegas another layer of complexity to their game and kept opponents guessing about where the scoring would come from.

Navigating Injuries and Adversity

Like every team in the NHL, the Golden Knights had to navigate injuries and adversity over the course of the season. However, it was their ability to persevere through these challenges that allowed them to remain in playoff contention. One of the biggest factors in their success was the team’s resilience and the leadership of coach Bruce Cassidy, who was able to adjust the lines and systems as needed.

Throughout the season, the Golden Knights faced injuries to key players, including forwards and defensemen. Despite these setbacks, Vegas was able to rely on their depth to fill in the gaps and continue winning games. Whether it was a call-up from the AHL or an adjustment in the lineup, the Golden Knights were able to weather the storm and maintain their competitive edge.

This depth allowed them to continue earning points even when players were sidelined, and it became especially crucial as the team approached the final stretch of the regular season. The ability to remain competitive in games where injuries took their toll helped the Golden Knights solidify their position in the standings and secure their playoff berth.

The Importance of the Overall Western Conference Race

The race for playoff spots in the Western Conference was incredibly tight in 2024–2025. Several teams, including the Golden Knights, were competing for the final positions, and the margin for error was slim. Although the Golden Knights were not able to win every single game, they benefited from a combination of favorable results from other teams and their overall performance throughout the season.

The loss to the Oilers was certainly a setback, but Vegas had put themselves in a strong enough position with their overall play earlier in the season to withstand such a defeat. The Western Conference was filled with teams jostling for position, and the Golden Knights’ strong record against non-playoff teams and their ability to secure crucial points against division rivals helped them finish the season with enough of a cushion to earn a spot in the postseason.

As other teams around them faltered, the Golden Knights capitalized by continuing to earn points, especially in games that were considered “must-wins.” This consistency helped ensure that their playoff fate was still in their hands, even after a tough loss to the Oilers.