EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are in a fierce battle against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they face off in Game 3 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After securing victories in the first two games of the series, the Oilers are looking to extend their lead on home ice at Rogers Place.
In a thrilling start to the game, Corey Perry opened the scoring for the Oilers early in the first period, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Perry, known for his clutch performances, walked in and wristed the puck past Vegas goaltender Adin Hill, giving the Oilers a crucial early lead. Just four minutes later, Perry struck again, this time tipping a shot from Evan Bouchard into the net on a power play, putting the Oilers up 2-0.
However, the Golden Knights weren't going to back down easily. Nicolas Roy cut the Oilers' lead in half with a well-placed shot over Stuart Skinner, who stepped in for the injured Calvin Pickard. Just under a minute later, Reilly Smith leveled the score at 2-2, silencing the once-boisterous Edmonton crowd.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch had to make a tough decision before the game, opting to start Skinner in net due to Pickard's day-to-day status following an injury sustained in Game 2. Pickard, who had been instrumental in the Oilers' playoff run with six consecutive wins, experienced discomfort after a collision with Vegas forward Tomas Hertl. He had finished Game 2 with 28 saves, including a perfect seven in overtime, a performance that earned him accolades from his teammates.
“Not the situation that we probably want to be in, but I mean that’s playoffs,” Skinner said regarding his return to the net. “You need two goalies to normally go all the way. I’m excited to go back to the net. I’ve had time to work on some things and I’m ready to go.”
Skinner had not played since being pulled in the second game of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, where he struggled with a .810 save percentage. However, he has a solid playoff record, with a career average of 3.00 goals against and a .889 save percentage. The 26-year-old from Edmonton is eager to seize this opportunity to help his team advance further in the playoffs.
“I’ve been here before. Nothing’s that new to me,” Skinner remarked. “It’s an opportunity again for me to go into the net and do my job and just give these guys a chance to win.”
Knoblauch expressed confidence in Skinner, recalling his solid performances in the previous playoffs. “We’re expecting Skins to come in and deliver what he’s done before,” Knoblauch said. “He was in this situation last year after having a little break in the Vancouver series and came back was a really solid goaltender throughout that series against Vancouver and throughout the rest of the playoffs.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights made a significant move of their own, welcoming back forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who had been sidelined for three games due to injury. Dorofeyev, the team’s leading scorer during the regular season with 35 goals, adds a crucial element to Vegas’ offense as they look to bounce back against the Oilers.
“Pav was. Looks like he’ll be good to go,” confirmed Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, who also noted that defenseman Brayden McNabb and forward Brandon Saad were day-to-day after sustaining injuries in the previous game.
As the game progressed, tensions ran high on the ice. Knights forward Nicolas Roy, who was fined the NHL-maximum US$7,813 for cross-checking Edmonton’s Trent Frederic in Game 2, commented on the incident, stating, “Just looking at the play, I think the puck kind of went in the air there. It all happened so quick. I never had the intention of cross-checking him.” Frederic, who was fortunate to escape serious injury, added, “My face is pretty good. Just caught me right between the nose and the teeth, so I was very lucky.”
With the series hanging in the balance, both teams are giving it their all. The Oilers, having won the first two games in Las Vegas — 4-2 in Game 1 and a nail-biting 5-4 overtime victory in Game 2 — are looking to capitalize on their home advantage. The atmosphere in Rogers Place is electric, with fans rallying behind their team as they strive to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
As the second period unfolds, the score remains tied at 2-2, with both teams showcasing their skill and determination. The Oilers are hoping to regain the lead and put themselves in a strong position as they aim for a deeper playoff run this year.
With the playoff intensity at an all-time high, the outcome of this game will have significant implications for both teams as they navigate the challenging road ahead. The Oilers, riding on the momentum of their previous victories, are poised to make a statement, while the Golden Knights are eager to turn the tide in their favor.
As fans eagerly watch the action unfold, one thing is clear: this series is far from over, and every moment counts in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
