In a thrilling overtime battle, the Edmonton Oilers emerged victorious over the Vegas Golden Knights, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series with a 5-4 win in Game 2 on May 8, 2025. Leon Draisaitl netted the game-winning goal at 15:20 of the extra period, capping off a night filled with intense action and dramatic swings.
The game kicked off with the Golden Knights striking first. Victor Olofsson opened the scoring midway through the first period on a power play, giving Vegas a 1-0 lead. However, the Oilers quickly responded. Jake Walman scored his first career playoff goal, leveling the game at one just beyond the midway point of the second period. Moments later, Vasily Podkolzin fired a shot past Vegas goaltender Adin Hill, giving Edmonton a 2-1 edge.
As the second period progressed, Darnell Nurse added to the Oilers’ tally, making it 3-1 after forcing a turnover. But the Golden Knights were not done yet. William Karlsson cut the lead back to one with a goal late in the second, bringing the score to 3-2.
The third period saw the Oilers extend their lead again when Evander Kane scored, making it 4-2. Yet, Vegas had a response in the form of Olofsson, who scored his second goal of the night on a power play to narrow the gap to 4-3. With just over eight minutes remaining, Alex Pietrangelo leveled the score at 4-4, forcing the game into overtime.
In overtime, the tension was palpable. The turning point came when Nicolas Roy of the Golden Knights was assessed a 5-minute major and a 10-minute misconduct for cross-checking Trent Fredric in the face. Despite the power play opportunity for the Oilers, they couldn’t capitalize. However, it was Connor McDavid and Draisaitl who would connect for the decisive goal, sealing the win for Edmonton.
“Leon and Connor connect for the game winner!” exclaimed Sportsnet, highlighting the duo's chemistry that has been pivotal for the Oilers throughout the playoffs.
Following the game, Oilers captain Connor McDavid reflected on the team's performance, stating, “Our game is just building. I know that’s weird to say in the middle of the playoffs, but when you don’t have a ton of runway with a group coming down the stretch, we’re putting the pieces together and building our game as we go.”
With this victory, the Oilers are now looking to carry their momentum into Game 3, set to take place in Edmonton on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Oilers, boasting an average age of 30.6 years, have a wealth of playoff experience that they’re eager to leverage as they aim for a deeper playoff run.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights will need to regroup quickly. Despite their strong offensive showing—Olofsson’s two goals and Jack Eichel’s three assists—their defensive lapses proved costly. Head coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in protecting leads, which has been a recurring issue for Vegas this postseason.
“We’ve struggled with third-period lapses throughout the playoffs, and it cost us dearly in this matchup,” Cassidy noted, as his team prepares for a crucial Game 3.
The stakes are high for both teams. The Oilers are riding a five-game winning streak and are eager to continue their dominance, while the Golden Knights are desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 series hole. As the series shifts to Edmonton, fans can expect an electric atmosphere and a fierce battle on the ice.
Looking ahead, the Oilers are determined to capitalize on their momentum. With a confident roster and a strong playoff pedigree, they’re poised to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. As McDavid put it, “We know it doesn’t come too often that you get a championship team, so you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
As Game 3 approaches, all eyes will be on Edmonton, where the Oilers will look to extend their series lead and further solidify their status as contenders for the 2025 Stanley Cup.
