It's a rematch from the 2022-23 second round, but the series will be far different from the last time the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers met.
The Oilers had made the Western Conference Finals the season before but were beaten handily by the Colorado Avalanche. Their roster at the time wasn't strong enough, but due to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's brilliance, they could defeat lesser teams.
When they met the Golden Knights in the playoffs, the Golden Knights' solidified blue line and depth outmatched the Oilers. Although the Golden Knights still hold that advantage this time around, the Oilers have the experience of being a win away from the Stanley Cup. Their depth guys understand their role and can execute it.
“There’s always going to be some sparks when you play that team, and we’ll see when they happen,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “So I expect that. I expect some physicality and some level of animosity amongst the two teams, and we’ll see where it goes.”
When the teams first met in the playoffs, suspensions were handed out to both teams, and the physicality was ramped up, playing into the hands of the Golden Knights. It was the start of a rivalry that has continued in each matchup.
Getting off to a fast start on home ice is imperative, but at no time can the Golden Knights take their foot off the gas. The Los Angeles Kings took a 2-0 series lead but dropped four consecutive games to the Oilers.
Both teams are relatively healthy. Mattias Ekholm has been declared out for the entire second round, which is a major loss for the Oilers. The Golden Knights will be without Pavel Dorofeyev tonight, as his day-to-day status continues. He hasn't skated since suffering an injury in the third period of Game 5.
Ivan Barbashev had missed a practice on May. 3 with what was deemed maintenance, and will be in the lineup tonight.
Karlsson-Eichel-Stone
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Golden Knights, Oilers Open Second Round On Tuesday In VegasThe Golden Knights will open their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (pacific).