FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers - Game 3 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers – Game 3 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (6-2) vs Edmonton Oilers (5-5)

 

The Vegas Golden Knights bounce back in Game Three and win 5-1 over the Edmonton Oilers to take the lead in the second-round series.

It is game 3 of the Golden Knights vs Oilers series. 

The Vegas Golden Knights endured a tough loss at home in Game Two, but going into Game Three on the road in Edmonton did not seem to faze the Golden Knights as they bounced back to win 5-1 over the Edmonton Oilers taking a 2-1 series lead in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It was a cohesive team effort from Vegas that helped to get the victory on the road which was a complete turnaround from their performance in Game Two.

“I think we played a consistent game from start to finish,” Whitecloud said. “You have to try and limit their weapons, and discipline is a factor for sure, so I think we did a good job in that area. We stuck to our strengths, played the right way, and stuck together out there. We played a good game tonight.”

Jonathan Marchessault scored his first two goals of the playoffs, Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist, and Zach Whitecloud and Chandler Stephenson also scored for Vegas. Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit appeared to injure his left leg sliding across the crease, and left the game in pain halfway through the first period. Backup goaltender Adin Hill came in and stopped all 25 shots.

The Golden Knights started five different goaltenders in the regular season due to injuries before having Brossoit as their starter for the playoffs.

“We’ve used a lot of different guys at this position. They’ve all played well,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “That’s the good part for us. We know the guy going in there is going to make some timely saves. We don’t rely on him to win games for us. It might have to happen here or there, but in general we have tried to play well in front of our goaltender no matter who is in there.”

For the Oilers, Warren Foegele scored the only goal. Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled in the second period after 23 shots.

“Forty-eight hours ago, we played a game we really liked,” McDavid said. “Forty-eight hours later, we’re here talking about not a very good one. So, our game is not gone, it’s not far – we need to bring our best Game 4.”

Vegas wanted more puck possession in Game Three and got that. The Golden Knights scored most of their goals getting inside defenders and striking from the edge of the crease.

“I just didn’t think we were sharp,” Edmonton head coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I don’t think we skated well. I don’t think our battle level was where it needed to be. … Our team wasn’t good in any area tonight.”

End of the first period in the Golden Knights vs Oilers series

In the first period, the Edmonton Oilers struck first for a 1-0 lead, but it was all Vegas afterward. 

The start of periods 2 and 3 in the Golden Knights vs Oilers series.

“Obviously, not a lot to like about tonight,” McDavid said before pointing to Foegele’s line opening the scoring. “I thought they were really good. You need everybody, and I thought they played really well, and the rest of the group wasn’t quite there.”

After the goal from Warren Foegele, the Golden Knights answered back with five goals to put the game away.

Marchessault tied it 1-1 at 4:44 with his first of two first-period goals, each assisted by Eichel.

After Marchessault scored again for a 2-1 lead, the Golden Knights never looked back.

Zach Whitecloud extended the lead 3-1, but the most impressive goal of the night came when Jack Eichel scored to put Vegas ahead 4-1 after shooting over Skinner’s glove on a 3-on-1 after Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard lost his balance and fell to the ice.

After Chandler Stephenson scored to pretty much put the game away 5-1, Adin Hill stepped in to replace the injured Laurent Brossoit to finish the rest of the game.

“You look back, and I think fortunately for him, he got into the third period the other night, and he got a taste of the temperature of playoff hockey,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It wasn’t the best circumstances, but it probably helped him a little tonight. As for our team, we’ve been through a lot with goaltenders all year. I think we’ll try to keep playing the same way no matter who’s in there, and I think that’s what we did tonight.”

The final score in game 3 of the Golden Knights vs Oilers series was 5-1, Vegas.

 On Wednesday, the Golden Knights will play the Edmonton Oilers in Game Four of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. The puck drop is at 7:00 PM. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or ESPN (channel 30 on Cox Cable) and or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.