The Edmonton Oilers are heading back to the Western Conference final thanks to a rebound performance from goalie Stuart Skinner.

Skinner, who had a 6.11 goals-against average after he was pulled in Game 2 of the first round, picked up his second consecutive shutout to oust the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday night 1-0 in overtime of Game 5.

Edmonton’s Kasperi Kapanen won the game and the series with a goal at 7:19 of the first overtime during a net-front scramble. The waiver pickup was making his second appearance of the playoffs. He has six career playoff goals but two of them have been scored in overtime.

Skinner returned to the net in Game 3 of the second round because of an injury to Calvin Pickard, who had won six in a row.

Vegas won its lone game of the series 4-3 on a Reilly Smith goal with 0.4 seconds left, but Skinner has been unbeatable since. He made 24 saves in Game 5.

He had a similar rebound performance in the second round last season as he took the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Here are takeaways from the Edmonton Oilers’ Game 5 win against the Vegas Golden Knights:

Connor McDavid’s point streak ends
McDavid’s eight-game point streak came to an end, but the Oilers are showing in this year’s playoffs that they don’t need big performances from him and Leon Draisaitl to win. Kapanen was the 16th Oilers player to get a goal this postseason. Corey Perry, who turns 40 on Friday, has five goals. Evander Kane, who missed the regular season, has four.

Vegas’ top scorers shut down
Pavel Dorofeyev, Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev and Brett Howden combined for 141 goals in the regular season. But none had a goal in the second round.

Captain Mark Stone, who had a team-high four playoff goals, missed Game 5 with an injury. He was hurt in Game 3 but returned for Game 4.

What’s next for the Oilers?
They will face the winner of the Dallas Stars-Winnipeg Jets series in the conference final. Dallas leads that series 3-1 and can wrap it up Thursday night in Winnipeg. If that happens, it would be a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference final. The Oilers will lack home-ice advantage for the third series in a row.

What’s next for the Golden Knights?
Unlike recent years, the Golden Knights were relatively quiet at the trade deadline, bringing back original Golden Knights player Smith. They won the Pacific Division but will have to figure out why their offense didn’t produce.

Most of their core is signed long-term. Goalie Adin Hill is signed through 2031. Eichel has one year left on his contract and is eligible to sign an extension on or after July 1.

The Edmonton Oilers secured a dramatic and hard-fought victory with a 1-0 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights, advancing in their playoff series and electrifying fans with a game that epitomized the intensity, resilience, and clutch performance that playoff hockey demands. This game was a showcase of strategic discipline, exceptional goaltending, and mental toughness, culminating in a moment that will be remembered as one of the defining highlights of the Oilers’ postseason run. Here, we delve into the key highlights, pivotal plays, individual performances, and the broader significance of this victory, capturing the essence of a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

From the puck drop, the game was characterized by a tense, tightly contested battle. Both teams prioritized defensive structure, knowing that a single mistake could be costly. Vegas, renowned for their disciplined forechecking and physicality, aimed to disrupt Edmonton’s offensive flow, while the Oilers sought to capitalize on quick transition plays and capitalize on power-play opportunities. The game quickly settled into a grind, with both teams trading chances but struggling to find the back of the net.

The goaltenders—Stuart Skinner for Edmonton and Adin Hill for Vegas—were the story of the first period. Skinner was exceptional, making several high-quality saves on dangerous Golden Knights’ shots, including a couple of sprawling glove stops off breakaways. Hill matched him, turning away multiple Edmonton scoring chances, including a critical save on a close-range shot from Leon Draisaitl. The first period ended with the game still scoreless, setting the stage for a tense second and third period.

**Key Defensive Plays and Goaltending Highlights**

Throughout the game, both Skinner and Hill elevated their play, making highlight-reel saves that kept their teams alive. Skinner’s positioning was impeccable, often cutting down angles and smothering rebounds to prevent Vegas from capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Notably, Skinner’s glove save on a point-blank shot from William Karlsson in the second period was a highlight, preserving the scoreless tie.

Hill, meanwhile, demonstrated agility and composure, especially during Edmonton’s power plays. His quick reflexes and aggressive positioning prevented the Oilers from breaking the deadlock, keeping Vegas in the game. The duel between these two goaltenders was a defining feature of the game, with each making multiple crucial saves to keep the game tied.

**The Mid-Game Struggle and Tactical Adjustments**

As the game progressed, both teams engaged in a tactical chess match. Edmonton’s coach, Jay Woodcroft, emphasized tight puck management and disciplined forechecking to limit Vegas’s transition opportunities. Vegas countered with their own structured defense and strategic neutral-zone play to prevent Edmonton’s high-powered offense from gaining momentum.

Special teams played a crucial role. Edmonton’s power play, which had been effective earlier in the series, was stifled by Vegas’s penalty-killing unit, while Vegas’s power play also failed to capitalize on their opportunities. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, with neither team able to find the decisive goal despite multiple chances.

**The Climax: A Scoreless Tie Goes to Overtime**

Entering overtime, the tension in the arena was palpable. Both teams recognized the significance of this moment—an elimination game where a single goal would end the season for one side. Edmonton’s players dug deep, knowing that their playoff survival depended on maintaining focus and composure.

In overtime, the pace intensified, with both teams trading shifts quickly and looking for openings. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, renowned for his speed and hockey IQ, created a number of dangerous moments, weaving through Vegas defenders and setting up teammates. Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard added stability from the blue line, blocking shots and keeping the puck in the offensive zone.

**The Decisive Play: Kane’s Overtime Goal**

The highlight of the game—and the series—came when Evander Kane seized a loose puck in the neutral zone. With a burst of speed, Kane burst past Vegas defensemen, evading a check and entering the offensive zone. He faked a shot, drawing the defender out of position, then quickly passed to Connor McDavid. McDavid, demonstrating his trademark speed and vision, threaded a precise pass to Kane, who was charging toward the net.

Kane collected the puck and, with a quick wrist shot, beat Hill high on the glove side, sealing the 1-0 victory for Edmonton. The arena erupted as Kane’s goal ignited wild celebrations among the Oilers’ bench and fans, who recognized the significance of the moment—an overtime goal that sent the Oilers onward in the playoffs.

**Post-Game Highlights and Key Takeaways**

– **Exceptional Goaltending:** Both Skinner and Hill delivered playoff-level performances, each making numerous critical saves and keeping their teams alive. Skinner’s calmness and positioning were instrumental in maintaining the shutout.

– **Defensive Discipline:** With neither team scoring in regulation, the game underscored the importance of defensive focus and disciplined play. Blocking shots, tight gap control, and smart puck management kept the game deadlocked.

– **Clutch Play from Kane and McDavid:** Evander Kane’s decisive goal, set up by Connor McDavid’s creative play, exemplified the importance of star players stepping up in high-pressure moments. Their chemistry and composure under pressure delivered the game-winning highlight.

– **Tactical Chess Match:** The coaches’ strategic adjustments—tightening defense, managing ice time, and emphasizing discipline—played a vital role in the outcome. Both teams played a cautious but aggressive game, knowing the stakes.

– **Intensity and Emotional Resilience:** The game was a testament to the mental toughness required in playoff hockey. Both sides refused to give in, battling through fatigue, physicality, and pressure until the final buzzer.

**Broader Significance and Future Outlook**

This victory was a crucial milestone for the Edmonton Oilers, not just because it secured their advancement but because it demonstrated their resilience, depth, and ability to perform under pressure. The game highlighted the importance of goaltending and disciplined defense in tight playoff contests, reinforcing the team’s strategic identity.

The game-winning goal from Kane, orchestrated by McDavid’s vision, underscored the star power that Edmonton relies on, but also the contributions from role players in clutch moments. Moving forward, the Oilers will look to build on this momentum, focusing on maintaining their defensive discipline, improving their offensive consistency, and leveraging their star players’ playoff experience.

For the Vegas Golden Knights, the loss highlights areas to improve, particularly in generating sustained offensive pressure and capitalizing on power plays. Despite the setback, their disciplined play and goaltending remain strengths to build upon in future postseason runs.

The 1-0 overtime victory for the Edmonton Oilers against the Vegas Golden Knights was a game defined by exceptional goaltending, disciplined defense, and clutch offensive play from Kane and McDavid. It was a showcase of playoff grit, resilience, and strategic execution, culminating in a highlight-reel goal that sent the Oilers into the next round. As fans celebrate this hard-fought win, the game will be remembered for its tense atmosphere, remarkable saves, and the electrifying moment that decided the series. This victory not only advances Edmonton in the playoffs but also reinforces their reputation as a team capable of rising to the occasion in the most high-pressure situations, setting the stage for their continued pursuit of postseason glory.