Oilers dominate Golden Knights in Game 4 to take 3-1 series lead: Takeaways

Adam Henrique scored twice in what was a brutally physical first period, sparking the Oilers to a dominant 3-0 win to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their second-round series. Edmonton controlled the contest throughout, limiting Vegas to only 23 shots and pushing the regular-season Pacific Division champs to the brink of elimination.

Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner earned the shutout and his first win of this postseason. His biggest moment came early when the game was still competitive, making a confident stop on Ivan Barbashev, who skated in all alone and tried slipping the puck underneath him. Skinner slammed his pads to the ice and shut the door.

Evander Kane added to Edmonton’s lead midway through the second period, streaking down the left halfwall and firing a shot that deflected off a sliding defenseman’s skate and past Adin Hill. The Vegas netminder was fired up from the opening puck drop, engaging with Oilers players early on. Hill made a few big saves, but was taunted by the Oilers fans with chants of “Adin” for most of the game.

The Oilers sat back protecting a lead in the third period and never allowed Vegas to generate any sort of push.

The win for the Oilers extends their winning streak in Game 4 of a series to eight. They haven’t lost at that point of a series since the 2022 Western Conference final when they fell 6-5 in overtime to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a sweep.

The Golden Knights fall to 10-8 all-time in Game 4s. This is the third time they have fallen behind 3-1 in a playoff series, and they were eliminated in Game 5 on both of the previous occasions (2018 Cup Final to Washington and 2020 conference final to Dallas).

Henrique provides an unexpected scoring punch
Considering all the firepower on the Oilers, Adam Henrique’s name is fairly far down the list of those expected to provide an offensive impact. The team’s third-oldest player behind Corey Perry and extra forward Derek Ryan, Henrique had 12 goals and 27 points in 81 games in the regular season. His playing time was almost exclusively in a bottom-six role.

But Henrique led the charge for the Oilers in Game 4, finishing off two chances in close early.

Henrique was the beneficiary of some excellent forechecking by Kane, who knocked Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud off the puck, and then a heady feed from Connor Brown. Henrique was all alone in the slot when he got Brown’s pass and quickly beat Hill over the glove just 1:27 into the game.

Henrique showed off his hands around the crease on his second goal. With Keegan Kolesar defending him, Henrique pulled the puck between his legs and flipped an attempt over Hill’s right pad and under his armpit at 13:03 of the first.

The celebration was epic. We’ll call it Nail Yakupov-esque. The Oilers never looked back after those two tallies.

This was just the second time Henrique has scored twice in a playoff game. The only other occurrence was way back on April 26, 2012, against the Florida Panthers when he was a rookie on the New Jersey Devils’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Skinner rebounds to continue Game 4 magic
Stuart Skinner wasn’t the reason the Oilers lost Game 3, but he sure wasn’t at his best while allowing four goals on 23 shots. The Oilers needed more from their regular-season starter who was supplanted by Calvin Pickard less than six periods into this playoff run and only returned to the crease because of a Pickard injury.

Skinner was up to the task, notching his second career playoff shutout.

“All I can really say is thanks to the guys playing in front of me,” Skinner said. “They were amazing. Made my job a lot easier.

“The way that we played defensively was superb.”

Sure, it’s not like he had to steal this game or anything. The Oilers dominated on Monday from the moment Henrique opened the scoring. But Skinner came up big whenever he had to, including before the midway mark of the third when he blockered away a shot from Tomas Hertl.

His two biggest saves might have been on Barbashev and Brayden McNabb in close before Henrique’s second goal. The whole tenor of the game might have changed if either chance had gone in.

“It makes you feel really good,” Skinner said. “It makes you sense a little more confidence just making those big saves. Timely, too. It’s important. Momentum shifts. It could be a different game. That’s what I’m here for.”

Neither did, and so Skinner continued his excellence in Game 4s. Entering Monday, had won all four of his starts in that situation, posting a .944 save percentage. His only other playoff shutout came when he stopped all 33 shots against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 last year.

Kapanen isn’t shy in Oilers playoff debut
Kasperi Kapanen was a fixture in the lineup after being acquired off waivers in November but had been scratched all playoffs after Trent Frederic and Kane were deemed healthy enough to play. That changed on Monday with the Oilers looking for some energy.

Kapanen didn’t disappoint. He got a primo assignment on Leon Draisaitl’s wing alongside Vasily Podkolzin and was a wrecking ball early in his first playoff game as an Oiler. Kapanen threw three hits on his first shift, and his speed and physicality were evident in his 14:21 of work. That line did yeoman’s work against Golden Knights star Jack Eichel.

High-profile offseason signee Viktor Arvidsson was scratched to make room for Kapanen. That represented the biggest change to the lineup, but there were many others.

Perry scored twice and was arguably Edmonton’s best forward in Game 3 but he started Tuesday on the fourth line with Frederic and Mattias Janmark. Kane took what had become Frederic’s customary spot on spot with Henrique and Connor Brown.

On defense, Troy Stecher made his Oilers postseason debut. He played mostly alongside Darnell Nurse. Stecher had been cleared to play since Game 4 of Round 1 but had to bide his time with the team on a winning streak. He took Ty Emberson’s spot in the lineup, which meant Jake Walman was thrust back into penalty-killing duties.

Hill kick-starts a violent first period
The penalty boxes were a busy thoroughfare over the first 20 minutes on Monday night.

In the opening moments of the game, Hill pushed Zach Hyman to the ice after the whistle. That was the first of many extracurriculars in the opening frame, which included 22 combined penalty minutes. The Oilers sent players to the crease, and Hill engaged with them regularly.

Shortly after, Hill stuck his pad out into Janmark after a whistle and fell to the ice, sparking a massive scrum in the corner and a lengthy bout between Nicolas Hague and Frederic.

Almost simultaneously to Henrique’s second goal of the period, Kane crashed into Hill, earning him a charging penalty — although it looked like he was helped by a shove by McNabb on the play. Nurse and Kolesar received matching roughing calls. It was a chaotic period with several other scrums that didn’t result in penalties, and it seemed to work out better for Edmonton than it did for Vegas, as the Oilers took a 2-0 lead into intermission.

Golden Knights’ offense disappears
Vegas struggled to generate chances of any kind on Monday. The Golden Knights managed only five shots in the first period despite spending six minutes of it on the power play, and things didn’t pick up much from there.

This was the fifth time Vegas has been shut out in the 105 playoff games, and the first time since May 26, 2021 against Minnesota.

Edmonton did an excellent job of keeping three players above the puck at all times, limiting Vegas’ transition offense and forcing the visitors to dump and chase for most of the night. When the Golden Knights did manage to get sustained offensive zone time, the Oilers protected the slot and Skinner handled his rebounds well.

The team’s leading goal scorer in the regular season, Pavel Dorofeyev, led the team with four shots on goal, but missed the net on a couple of good chances and was muscled off the puck several times to kill possessions. Meanwhile, Eichel was held without a single shot and Mark Stone and William Karlsson managed only one shot each.

In a commanding display of skill, determination, and strategic execution, the Edmonton Oilers dominated the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of their playoff series, seizing a decisive 4-1 victory that put them ahead with a 3-1 series lead. The game featured standout performances from star players, disciplined team defense, and an aggressive offensive attack, all culminating in a performance that reaffirmed the Oilers’ status as serious contenders. Here are the key takeaways from this pivotal game.

**1. Offensive Firepower on Full Display**
One of the most striking aspects of Edmonton’s victory was their relentless offensive pressure. Connor McDavid once again demonstrated why he’s considered one of the most electrifying players in the NHL. His speed, vision, and playmaking ability created numerous scoring chances, culminating in a goal that energized the team and fans alike. Leon Draisaitl also played a crucial role, contributing both goals and assists, showcasing his versatility and hockey IQ. The Oilers’ line combinations worked seamlessly, with secondary scoring from players like Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman providing critical support. Their ability to generate high-quality scoring opportunities kept Vegas on their heels throughout the game.

**2. Dominant Special Teams Performance**
Special teams were a significant factor in Edmonton’s success. The Oilers’ power play was lethal, capitalizing on their opportunities with precise puck movement and aggressive shooting. Their power-play goal in the second period shifted the momentum firmly in their favor. Conversely, Edmonton’s penalty kill was impeccable, effectively neutralizing Vegas’s power play unit, which had been a strength for the Golden Knights in previous games. This disciplined effort on the penalty kill limited Vegas’s scoring chances and prevented the momentum from swinging back in favor of the visitors.

**3. Strong Defensive Structure and Goaltending**
While the offensive fireworks captured headlines, the Oilers’ defensive structure and goaltending were equally instrumental. Stuart Skinner, in goal for Edmonton, made several critical stops, especially during the Golden Knights’ power plays and breakaway opportunities. His positioning, composure, and reflexes provided a calming presence for the team. Edmonton’s defensemen, including Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci, played physically and smartly, limiting Vegas’s high-danger chances and maintaining tight coverage in critical areas. This disciplined defensive effort frustrated the Golden Knights’ offense and kept their scoring in check.

**4. Physicality and Discipline**
The game was characterized by a high level of physicality, with Edmonton’s players demonstrating a willingness to engage and win puck battles along the boards and in front of the net. Their disciplined approach also prevented costly penalties that could have allowed Vegas to mount a comeback. By maintaining composure and avoiding unnecessary infractions, the Oilers kept the Golden Knights from gaining momentum through power plays, which had been a concern in previous matchups.

**5. Coaching Strategy and Adjustments**
Head coach Jay Woodcroft deserves credit for his strategic adjustments. Recognizing the importance of controlling the pace and limiting Vegas’s offensive zone time, Edmonton implemented a more aggressive forecheck and faster transition game. They also emphasized puck possession and quick puck movement to create scoring opportunities. The coaching staff’s emphasis on discipline and structure was evident in their players’ execution, and they effectively exploited weaknesses seen in previous games.

**6. Series Momentum and Psychological Edge**
Taking a commanding 3-1 series lead puts Edmonton in a strong position psychologically. The team now has the opportunity to close out the series in Game 5, while Vegas faces mounting pressure to stave off elimination. The Oilers’ confidence was visibly higher, and their resilience in bouncing back from earlier setbacks in the series demonstrated their mental toughness. Conversely, the Golden Knights will need to regroup quickly to avoid elimination, and their response in the next game will be critical.

**7. Key Players Step Up**
Beyond McDavid and Draisaitl, several role players made significant contributions. Bouchard’s offensive instincts and timely scoring added depth to Edmonton’s attack. Hyman’s physical play and forechecking created turnovers and scoring chances. Defensively, the shutdown pairing of Nurse and Ceci neutralized Vegas’s top lines, exemplifying the importance of balanced contributions across the roster.

**8. Future Outlook**
With a 3-1 lead, the Oilers are in a commanding position, but they cannot afford complacency. Vegas is a resilient team capable of mounting a comeback, and Edmonton must focus on maintaining their intensity and discipline in Game 5. The series has become a testament to the importance of team effort, strategic execution, and mental resilience in playoff hockey.The Oilers’ dominant performance in Game 4 not only provided a substantial advantage in the series but also sent a strong message to the Golden Knights and the hockey world. Their blend of offensive brilliance, disciplined defense, and strategic coaching has positioned them as favorites to advance further. As they look to close out the series, Edmonton’s focus will be on maintaining the momentum and executing their game plan with the same intensity and precision that defined their Game 4 victory. The series now stands on the brink of an exciting conclusion, with theOilersto push for their first deep playoff run in years.