The Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights faced off in Game 2 of the Pacific Division final on May 9, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena, with the Oilers looking to extend their series lead after a victory in Game 1. The matchup was highly anticipated, especially with the Golden Knights boasting a strong historical record in Game 2s after losing the first game of a playoff series.
As the game commenced, excitement filled the arena, and the stakes were high. The Golden Knights had a remarkable 5-1 record in Game 2s when trailing in a series, and they aimed to leverage this statistic to level the series against the Oilers.
Midway through the first period, the Golden Knights struck first. Victor Olofsson, playing in his first postseason, scored a power-play goal, marking his first career playoff goal with a powerful one-timer that found the back of the net. This early lead energized the crowd and gave Vegas a 1-0 advantage.
However, the Oilers were undeterred. They quickly regrouped and took control of the game in the second period, scoring three consecutive goals. Jake Walman tied the game with a blast from the point that banked in off a defender, followed by Vasily Podkolzin, who scored from the high slot. Darnell Nurse added another goal, extending Edmonton's lead to 3-1 before the second intermission.
Despite being down, the Golden Knights rallied. William Karlsson brought Vegas back within one goal late in the second period by deftly tipping in a shot from Jack Eichel. This goal injected life into the Knights as they entered the third period trailing 3-2.
Just 1:52 into the third, Evander Kane scored for the Oilers, pushing their lead to 4-2. But the Golden Knights responded almost immediately. Olofsson scored his second goal of the night, again on the power play, narrowing the gap to 4-3. With just over eight minutes left in regulation, Alex Pietrangelo tied the game with a low shot from the blue line, setting the stage for a dramatic overtime.
The game entered overtime tied at 4-4, and the tension was palpable. The Oilers had a golden opportunity to seal the victory earlier in overtime when Vegas’ Nicolas Roy received a five-minute major for cross-checking. However, Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill stood strong, stopping all eight shots he faced during the penalty kill, keeping his team in the game.
As the overtime period progressed, both teams had chances, but it was the Oilers who ultimately prevailed. Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal, sealing a thrilling 5-4 victory for Edmonton. This marked the Oilers' sixth consecutive comeback win in the playoffs, a remarkable feat that extended their NHL record.
Calvin Pickard, the Oilers' goaltender, was instrumental in the victory, making 28 saves throughout the game. His performance has been a revelation in the playoffs, improving to 6-0 despite the pressure of the moment.
After the game, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch praised Pickard's composure, stating, "He’s just enjoying the moment. He’s been through a long stretch getting to where he wants to get, and just being a third-string goalie on a team. Now he’s getting the opportunity to get consecutive starts in the playoffs. I don’t think anything can rattle him right now."
With this victory, the Oilers take a commanding 2-0 series lead, heading back to Edmonton for Game 3 on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Golden Knights will need to regroup quickly, as they face the daunting challenge of overcoming a two-game deficit in a best-of-seven series.
Looking ahead, the next game promises to be another thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the Western Conference final. The Oilers will look to capitalize on their momentum, while the Golden Knights will aim to harness their home-ice advantage in a crucial Game 3.
Attendance for the game was 18,415, showcasing the passionate support for both teams. As the series progresses, fans can expect intense competition and high-stakes drama, characteristic of playoff hockey.
