Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers gamers fight again throughout the 3rd duration in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) makes a glove save against Golden Knights ideal wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) while Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) reaches to block and Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, looks on during the 3rd duration in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) collides with Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) throughout the 3rd duration in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Las Vegas.
When Game 2 in between the Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers ended Saturday, it was 5-1. It was 5-1 in Game 1 versus Winnipeg, too.

That's what had the Knights still holding their direct after an uneven loss evened their second-round series. They've had bad efficiencies before, consisting of against the Oilers. They tend not to duplicate them.

The Knights won four directly after falling behind 1-0 to the Jets to advance. They've lost 2 in a row only twice since the All-Star break. Their resiliency is about to be tested again.

The Knights, tied for the second-most roadway points in the NHL in the regular season, will get a chance to regain control of the series when the setting shifts to Rogers Place for Game 3 at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

"It's a game you just have to flush. We had a bad efficiency in Game 1 last series.

Captain Mark Stone stated the Knights didn't anticipate to sweep Edmonton.

They knew the Oilers were too fast, too competent, too great. Edmonton completed 2 points behind the Knights for the best record in the Pacific Division and Western Conference. Coach Bruce Cassidy confessed before the series it would be a bigger obstacle than Winnipeg.

That does not excuse the Knights' effort Saturday. They lost a lot of fights and races for the puck. They didn't push back until the video game ran out hand. The Knights, after winning 6-4 in Game 1, quit at least 4 goals in back-to-back video games for the 2nd time since Jan. 16.

Super Stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid did most of the damage. Draisaitl has 6 objectives in the series, and McDavid has actually scored twice and added 3 helps. They have actually been the engine of an unbelievable Oilers' power play that's 5-for-9 through two video games.

" We're doing a great deal of advantages on the kill, however they're dynamic," Stone said. "You've got to discover methods to stay out of the box."

The Knights have lots of methods to cause issues of their own.

They were the NHL's least penalized team in the routine season and went to package only three times in Game 1. When they've kept things to even strength, they've likewise had success in the series. The Knights are outscoring Edmonton 5-3 at five-on-five.

One reason for that is their depth advantage, which should serve them well with the Oilers getting last alter the next 2 video games. The Knights' strong road record comes from their ability to rely on all four forward lines and all three defense pairs and not stress over matches.

The team isn't expected to deviate from that formula in Game 3. Cassidy didn't make a lineup change seem likely Sunday.

" I like our group that's in there now," he stated. "We just need to play better."

The Knights think they will.

They trailed 1-0 after one period in Game 2 against Winnipeg, then outscored the Jets 18-8 the remainder of the series. They're 7-1-1 this season, consisting of the playoffs, after quiting five goals in a game.

The Knights will need a comparable kind of reaction to get another lead versus the Oilers. The series is now a best-of-five, with both groups delivering one outstanding outing and one they would rather forget.

" It's a lesson by us," Cassidy stated. "I believed versus Winnipeg we got to our video game as the series went on, which's what's in front people now. We need to get to our video game quicker and remain on it if we expect to advance."

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.

Up next

Who: Golden Knights at Oilers

When: 5:30 p.m. Monday

Where: Rogers Place

TELEVISION: ESPN

Radio: KKGK (98.9 FM, 1340 AM).

Line: Oilers -170; total 7.

Series schedule.

Game 1 - - Golden Knights 6, Oilers 4.

Video game 2 - - Oilers 5, Knights 1.

Video game 3 - - 5:30 p.m. Monday, Rogers Place (ESPN).

Game 4 - - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rogers Place (ESPN).

Video game 5 - - TBD Friday, T-Mobile Arena (TNT).

Game 6 * - - TBD Sunday, Rogers Place (TBA).

Video game 7 * - - TBD May 16, T-Mobile Arena (TNT).

* If required.

All games on radio at KKGK (98.9 FM, 1340 AM).