FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers - Game 74 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Oilers – Game 74 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (46-22-6)  | Edmonton Oilers  (42-23-9)

The Golden Knights playoff-clinching hopes get halted after losing to the Edmonton Oilers, 7-4. 

The Golden Knights vs Oilers start of the first period.

The Golden Knights returned home from their road trip and looking to continue their winning streak and also an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot, but Vegas got curb stomped in their rematch against the Edmonton Oilers, losing 7-4 at T-Mobile Arena.

The Oilers avenged their 4-3 loss in overtime just a couple of nights ago. The victory for the Oilers made the Pacific Division race even tighter, with Edmonton now at 95 points, just three points behind Vegas for first place.

“Obviously, we know who we’re playing,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “We know where they’re at in the standings. We know where we’re at, and we’re still pushing for home ice, and I think that does make a difference come playoff time.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied a career-high with five points, and Edmonton’s top-ranked power play scored three goals.

“I don’t think we’re anywhere near our potential just yet,” coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I think we’re working towards that. … We’re building towards peaking at the right time, which is in about three weeks.”

Nugent-Hopkins was not the only player on the Oilers with multiple points, Connor McDavid had three assists, and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist.

The Golden Knights showed some fight. Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals, William Karlsson and Michael Amadio both scored a goal, and Alex Pietrangelo had two assists.

“We tried to win by playing their game,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We tried to make plays that weren’t there. We tried to outscore them. That’s not how to beat them. They’re the best offensive team in the League. We’re not the Edmonton Oilers on offense. We’re good offensively, but we’re not them. We can’t get into that type of game.”

The Golden Knights vs Oilers end the first period.

Both Vegas and Edmonton combined for five goals in the first ten minutes. The Golden Knights vs Oilers start of the second and third periods.

After the first five goals, Michael Amadio tied the game 3-3 in the second period after scoring off his rebound.

After the goal from Amadio, the Oilers took over completely throughout the game. 

Edmonton opened in the second with three goals in the final 13:59, dominating Vegas with 34 shots on goal through the first two periods compared to 12 for the Knights.

After the Oilers took a 6-3, Laurent Brossoit replaced Jonathan Quick in the Knights’ net to open the third period.

“We allowed their high-end players to make plays in front of him,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I’m not putting it on Jonathan. This was more about, ‘It’s not your night, and we’re not playing well in front of you.’”

Both teams traded goals in the third, Marchessault scoring the last goal of the game, but it was not enough as the Oilers ended the game 7-4.

“I think we started well in the first period,” Marchessault said. “Obviously, it’s one of those things that … you get in the (penalty) box and give them chances, they’ll start feeling good about their game. It was a tough game for us. I didn’t like our effort.”

The Golden Knights vs Oilers final score was 7-4, Edmonton.

On Thursday, the Golden Knights will play against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 pm. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.