FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers - Game 4 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers – Game 4 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (6-3) vs Edmonton Oilers (6-4)

 

The Edmonton Oilers even up the series 2-2 with a 4-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

It is game 4 of the Golden Knights vs Oilers series. 

The second-round matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers has been a back-and-forth affair. That trend continued in Game 4 as the Oilers evened up the series 2-2 with a 4-1 win over Vegas at Rogers Place.

After giving up five goals in Game 3, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner played a magnificent game finishing with 26 saves.

“He bounced back. That’s what he does,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. “I am sure he wanted to play a better game in Game 3 like we all did, and I thought he played really, really well tonight.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and an assist. Nick Bjugstad, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm also scored as the Oilers built a four-goal lead in the second period. Connor McDavid had two assists.

“It felt good. It was a huge win by the group, and that is the most important thing,” Skinner said. “Just the way the guys battled tonight was impressive. You always have to show up the next day and keep on working. I am going to keep on growing and learn from my mistakes from tonight as well and just move forward and get better tomorrow.”

For the Vegas Golden Knights, Nicolas Roy only scored in the third period for Vegas. Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill stopped 29 shots in his first NHL playoff start after playing minutes in the two previous games of the series.

“I thought tonight was going to be one of those nights where you need your team to be on … no passengers,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “And I thought some guys were off, and we were relying on the goalie to get that big save. He hasn’t played a lot of hockey, so a little bit unfair for Adin. We didn’t get it (and) now they’ve got life. That’s how it played out.”

With just about 90 seconds left in the third period, Vegas defensemen Alex Pietrangelo took a major and a game misconduct. After Leon Draisaitl shot wide of an empty net, Pietrangelo slashed Draisaitl across the arms. McDavid then sought retribution in the corner from Pietrangelo.

“You’d like to see it reviewed for sure,” McDavid said. “I mean, it’s as intent to injure as you can get. … Time, score, clock, all play a factor. He comes from over his own head and places it kind of under Leon’s chin. You’d like to see something like that suspended. It’s not a hockey play.”

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

After having a letdown in Game 3, the Edmonton Oilers fired on all cylinders scoring a fury of goals in Game 4. 

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

The Oilers hit an Oil Strike, and it started within the first six minutes in the first period after Nick Bjugstad scored on a backhand wrap-around shot to put the Oilers on the board first, 1-0.

The one-goal lead was further extended to two just a minute later after Evan Bouchard scored, shooting a one-timer for a 2-0 lead.

The first-period dominance from the Oilers topped off with another goal past midway in the first period after Mattias Ekholm scored by shooting a slap shot for a 3-0 lead.

“They didn’t have a good game in Game 3. They came out hard,” MarkStone said. The first five minutes was actually pretty good by us. We had a good power play. We’ve just been giving up the first goal every game here. We’ve got to find a way to get a better start.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his first goal of the playoffs in the second period after shooting past the blocker side of Hill to push the Oilers for a 4-0 lead.

“Obviously, happy to give them something to cheer about tonight, but it’s long from over, and we have to keep moving on,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I’m happy to get one, but more so just happy to contribute big for us.”

With the series now tied 2-2, the scene shifts back to Las Vegas for a pivotal Game 5 as both teams look to take the lead in the series.

“Big win for our group. It’s a best-of-3 from now on,” Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said. “We believe in playing the game hard whistle to whistle, finishing your check hard in a legal fashion, and when you do that, you wear teams down, and you create frustration. It was a good game plan tonight, and guys followed it to a T.”

The final score in game 4 of the Golden Knights vs Oilers series was 4-1, Edmonton.

On Friday, the Golden Knights will play the Edmonton Oilers in Game Five of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is at 7:00 PM. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or TNT (channel 18 on Cox Cable) and or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.