Three things to remember from a potential playoff preview of how the Oilers defeated the Golden Knights in first place.

As the NHL regular season begins to wind down and playoff hopes intensify, one matchup that has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike is the potential series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights. With both teams battling for supremacy in the Western Conference, the recent game between these two powerhouses offered an intriguing preview of what could be a thrilling postseason series.

When the Oilers faced off against the Golden Knights in a game that felt like a playoff preview, Edmonton managed to secure a vital victory. This win not only marked a crucial point in their pursuit of a higher seed but also showcased important lessons that could play a major role if these teams were to meet again in the playoffs. For the Oilers, who have been gaining momentum thanks to their high-powered offense and strong special teams play, the game against Vegas offered a number of takeaways that could provide a roadmap for success if they were to face the Golden Knights in a postseason series.

While the win was significant on its own, the specific aspects of the game illuminated key factors that will play an important role in any future matchups between these two teams. Here are three essential things to remember from this potential playoff preview of how the Oilers defeated the Golden Knights and secured first place in the division.

1. The Oilers’ Power Play Dominance

One of the most significant storylines in the Oilers’ victory over the Golden Knights was the sheer dominance of their power play. As the league’s top power-play unit for the better part of the season, the Oilers have been a nightmare for opposing teams when they have the man advantage. Against Vegas, the Oilers made it clear that their special teams play would be a critical factor in any potential playoff series between the two teams.

In this game, the Oilers scored two goals on the power play, both of which were textbook examples of why they are so dangerous with the extra man. Edmonton’s power play has been consistently effective this season, largely due to the offensive prowess of players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. But it’s their ability to execute quick, precise passes and create high-danger scoring chances that makes them so lethal.

The Importance of McDavid and Draisaitl

The Oilers’ success on the power play against Vegas stemmed from the impeccable playmaking ability of their two superstars—Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. In a playoff setting, this dynamic duo could prove to be unstoppable when given space to operate on the power play. McDavid’s ability to break down defenses with his speed and vision, combined with Draisaitl’s one-timer from the faceoff circle, is a combination that few teams have been able to defend against effectively this season.

Against the Golden Knights, McDavid and Draisaitl were in sync, moving the puck quickly and efficiently. Their ability to keep the puck in the zone and generate multiple high-quality chances on each power play was a testament to how well-oiled the Oilers’ special teams are. With defenders like Evan Bouchard and Tyson Barrie providing support from the blue line, the Oilers were able to create chaos in front of the net, forcing the Golden Knights’ penalty killers to scramble and adjust.

Vegas’ Struggles on the Penalty Kill

While the Oilers’ power play shined in this game, it also exposed some weaknesses in Vegas’ penalty-killing unit. The Golden Knights struggled to contain the Oilers’ elite players, and their penalty kill wasn’t able to get the necessary clears or pressure on the puck to disrupt Edmonton’s flow. If this trend continues in the postseason, the Oilers’ power play could be a deciding factor in a potential playoff series.

The Golden Knights will need to make adjustments in their penalty kill to keep the Oilers from capitalizing on every opportunity. In the high-stakes environment of the playoffs, special teams are often the difference-makers, and for Vegas to have a shot at stopping the Oilers, their penalty-kill unit will have to find a way to stifle McDavid, Draisaitl, and company.

2. Edmonton’s Depth and Balanced Scoring

Another critical aspect of the Oilers’ victory over the Golden Knights was the emergence of their depth scoring. While McDavid and Draisaitl are always the focal points of Edmonton’s offense, the Oilers’ secondary scoring played a pivotal role in securing the win. Players like Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and even the likes of Kailer Yamamoto stepped up to contribute crucial goals and assists, showcasing just how much depth the Oilers have in their lineup.

In the postseason, a team’s depth is often what makes the difference between an early exit and a deep run. For Edmonton, it’s clear that having multiple lines that can score and contribute in all situations is an invaluable asset. In the game against Vegas, the Oilers were able to get production not just from their top players but from their bottom-six forwards as well, which kept the Golden Knights’ defense and goaltending guessing. This is the kind of balanced scoring that could prove to be the X-factor in any series against the Golden Knights.

Depth Scoring from Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins

Zach Hyman, in particular, was a standout in the game, creating scoring opportunities through his relentless forechecking and net-front presence. Hyman’s ability to score gritty goals in front of the net has been an important addition to the Oilers’ offense, and in a playoff setting, his style of play could be crucial in wearing down opposing defenders and goaltenders.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has often been overshadowed by McDavid and Draisaitl, also contributed with a key assist and some timely plays in the offensive zone. His ability to set up plays, work on the power play, and contribute on the penalty kill makes him an integral part of the Oilers’ overall game. The Oilers need players like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman to step up consistently in the postseason if they are going to have a legitimate chance at a Stanley Cup run.

Vegas’ Defensive Struggles

While the Golden Knights have been strong defensively all season, they struggled to contain the Oilers’ depth players in this game. Despite strong efforts from defensemen like Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, the Golden Knights were unable to fully shut down the Oilers’ supporting cast. Vegas will need to tighten up defensively, especially when it comes to handling Edmonton’s depth forwards. If they continue to allow secondary players to generate scoring chances, it could be a significant disadvantage in a playoff series.

3. Edmonton’s Defensive Improvement and Goaltending Confidence

One area that the Oilers have often been criticized for over the years is their defensive play. In past seasons, the Oilers have struggled to keep the puck out of their net, often relying heavily on their high-powered offense to win games. However, in their victory over the Golden Knights, the Oilers showed notable improvement in both their defensive structure and goaltending, areas that have often been the Achilles’ heel for the team.

The Oilers played a much more responsible defensive game against Vegas, limiting the Golden Knights’ high-quality scoring chances and protecting their goaltender, Stuart Skinner, with greater commitment to defensive zone play. In particular, the Oilers were excellent at breaking up passes, blocking shots, and clearing pucks from their own end.

Stuart Skinner’s Growth

A significant part of Edmonton’s defensive success has been the rise of Stuart Skinner as a reliable starting goaltender. Skinner has steadily improved throughout the season, and his performance against the Golden Knights was a clear demonstration of his growth as a netminder. Skinner made several critical saves in key moments, showcasing composure and confidence under pressure. His ability to keep the Oilers in the game, particularly during the Golden Knights’ offensive surges, will be essential come playoff time.

For the Oilers, having a confident and capable goaltender like Skinner will be crucial in any postseason series. The team needs Skinner to continue his strong play, particularly when facing high-powered offenses like the Golden Knights.

Vegas’ Offensive Threats Remain Dangerous

Although the Oilers improved defensively, they still faced a strong offensive challenge from the Golden Knights. Vegas remains one of the league’s most dangerous teams offensively, with players like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson able to create scoring chances from all over the ice. Despite the Oilers’ improved defensive play, they will need to stay vigilant and avoid lapses in coverage, as the Golden Knights have the ability to exploit any weaknesses in Edmonton’s defensive game.