The Vegas Golden Knights, known for rotating goaltenders throughout the season, found themselves relying on Adin Hill after starting goalie Laurent Brossoit exited with an injury early in Game 3. Hill stepped up, and with strong performances from Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel, the Golden Knights defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1, taking a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series.
Marchessault scored his first two goals in the playoffs, and Eichel scored a goal and an assist. Zach Whitecloud and Chandler Stephenson also scored for Vegas. Brossoit, who stopped three of four shots, left the game in the first period with a possible leg injury, and Hill came in, stopping all 25 shots he faced.
“We’ve had to rely on different goaltenders throughout the season, and they’ve all played well,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “We know whoever steps in will make timely saves. We don’t ask our goalie to win the game alone but to make key stops, and that’s what happened tonight.”
Warren Foegele opened the scoring for Edmonton, but the Oilers couldn’t keep pace as Vegas answered with five straight goals. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was pulled after allowing four goals on 23 shots, with Jack Campbell making nine saves in relief.
The Golden Knights won Game 1 of the series 6-4 but fell 5-1 in Game 2 at home. In Game 3, they regained control and will aim to extend their lead in Game 4 on Wednesday in Edmonton.
“We played much faster, stayed connected, and were more aggressive,” said McDavid, now on a seven-game point streak.
Vegas capitalized on puck possession, scoring multiple goals from close range near the crease. “We weren’t sharp tonight,” said Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft. “We didn’t skate well or battle hard enough in any area.”
The Golden Knights also limited Edmonton’s lethal power play, which had been operating at 56% in the playoffs, to 0-for-2, while Vegas went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
“We know how dangerous their power play is, so it’s important to play as much 5-on-5 as possible,” said Eichel.
For the first time in the playoffs, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were held off the scoresheet.
In the second period, Whitecloud made it 3-1 with a shot from the faceoff circle, and Eichel extended the lead to 4-1 after a defensive miscue by Edmonton. Campbell replaced Skinner after Eichel’s goal. Edmonton thought they had scored to pull one back, but the goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. Seconds later, Stephenson made it 5-1 after a rebound off Nicolas Roy’s rush.
Foegele had given Edmonton an early lead just 2:45 into the game, redirecting Derek Ryan’s pass past Brossoit. However, Vegas responded quickly, with Marchessault tying the game at 4:44 after a scramble in front of the net. Marchessault added his second goal just before the end of the first period, giving Vegas a 2-1 lead.
Oilers forward Zach Hyman was limited to a few shifts after a collision with Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague.
GOALTENDING DEPTH
According to Cassidy, if Brossoit’s injury is long-term, Vegas may turn to veteran Jonathan Quick, acquired at the trade deadline, to serve as Hill’s backup.
ROAD DOMINANCE
The Golden Knights have been road warriors this season, boasting one of the NHL’s best road records at 26-7-8. They are now 3-0 on the road in the postseason.
“We might even play better on the road,” Cassidy said. “We’re a veteran group, and the noise or hostile crowds don’t faze us. We rely on all four lines, and the road, without last change, we trust every player who hits the ice.”