There was just one more playoff game on the schedule last night in the National Hockey League, as the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights faced off for a second game.
The Golden Knights won the first game 6-4.
Edmonton was looking to bounce back last night and tie the series.
1. Oilers completely dominate Vegas to tie series
Jay Woodcroft’s team needed to win last night to avoid returning to Edmonton with a 2-0 series deficit, and that’s exactly what they did.
Indeed, the Oilers quickly imposed their rhythm on the game, and it quickly became apparent that it was going to be a one-sided affair.
After one period, the Oilers led 19-4 in shots, and 4-0 in scoring.
Leon Draisaitl (x2), Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard scored all four goals.
Draisaitl’s 13 goals are already the most he scored in last season’s playoffs.
Nathan MacKinnon and Evander Kane scored 13 goals each.
LEON DRAISAITL DOES IT AGAIN! π¨#NHLStats: https://t.co/p6V6vYbXzB
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/rooHr9MsB4– NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2023
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
Here’s the goal from Bouchard, who has really established himself as an excellent offensive defenseman since Tyson Barrie’s departure.
Now that’s a Bouchard Blast! π
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/lXfeLy633X– NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2023
And while Draisaitl is stealing the show for the Oilers, don’t forget Connor McDavid, who can do it all.
Pure determination from Connor McDavid(@cmcdavid97)! π€ #StanleyCup
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/RIai1YYctw– NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2023
The 97 also scored another goal in the second period.
McD nets another π€© pic.twitter.com/LjDfxaaEwF
– Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 7, 2023
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
The Oilers didn’t give the Golden Knights a chance last night, which left Peter DeBoer’s team very frustrated.
Evander Kane with a ground and pound and Herb Dean is nowhere to be found pic.twitter.com/X3jzpJ8728
– heatdaddy (@heatdaddy69420) May 7, 2023
Of course, as you can see from the footage, Evander Kane was at the center of the skirmishes.
He also landed a few dirty blows to Keegan Kolesar’s body, even though the latter was already on the ground.
Kane received a 10-minute game misconduct for these blows.
Didn’t anyone teach Evander Kane about the code in field hockey fights? What a fn pussy? Any of the old school players would have torn him apart in the next period. Disgusting. #EdmontonOilers #GoldenKnights #NHL #StanleyCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Bogj91WaWr
– βΌβΌβΌ/ (@ootinaboot1) May 7, 2023
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
Towards the end of the sequence, we can also see that it’s not just Knights players who are frustrated, but Vegas fans too.
An angry lady can be seen waving her fingers at Evander Kane, who in turn gives her a big kiss.
This fan gave Evander Kane the dirty birds as refs were breaking up a fight π
(πΈ: David Becker) pic.twitter.com/y616K4btvN
– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2023
What a legendary photo.
Here’s the footage for those interested.
#EvanderKane sending his love to a Vegas fan… This was the worst I’ve ever seen the Knights play.
Kane still did a knee on knee to Pietrangelo and got away with it. The refs were shitty too.#VGKvsEDM #VegasBorn@EdmontonOilers @NHL @nhlmeme @evanderkane pic.twitter.com/hEODNDUoVh– AJ Pagano (@ajpaganophoto) May 7, 2023
Note also that the Oilers’ social media were quick to use this photo.
– Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 7, 2023
Here’s Kane’s reaction to it(click here to see his full post-match comments).
Goodness I have waited 37 years for a field hockey player like @evanderkane
Prepare the statue.#letsgooilers pic.twitter.com/qcqoqyXhHi
– Sonny Sekhon (@SonzieMaaaan) May 7, 2023
In short, the Oilers are confident right now, and they showed it last night with a great win.
The rest of the series will be very interesting.
The series is tied 1-1.
Overtime
– Here’s yesterday’s result.
And just like that, the @EdmontonOilers have tied their Second Round series.
Eight of the 12 series so far in in the 2023 #StanleyCup Playoffs have been tied 1-1. #NHLStats: https://t.co/62TAXReQQk pic.twitter.com/FftT4Ef66N
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 7, 2023
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– Today’s program: three games.