(Las Vegas) The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from eliminating the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs.
The Oilers must win at home on Sunday to avoid elimination and force a Game 7 presentation in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
The Oilers are the last Canadian team still in the playoffs this year.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft ignored that scenario on Saturday, as the Golden Knights could become the first team in the series to win back-to-back games.
“When you’re trying to get that fourth win, the pressure is on you,” Woodcroft said. We know the pressure is on the Golden Knights right now, who will want to finish this at home in Edmonton. »
Darnell Nurse of the Oilers and Alex Pietrangelo of the Golden Knights will both return to action after missing Game 5 through suspension.
Nurse was suspended for inciting a fight, while Pietrangelo was punished for a sticking at the hands of Leon Draisaitl late in the game.
Pietrangelo said it was painful to watch his teammates on Friday without being able to play.
“It was a roller coaster watching the game, that’s for sure,” said Pietrangelo.
After 13 goals in his first eight games in this playoff, Draisaitl has slowed down and hasn’t scored in the past two games.
Captain Connor McDavid, a candidate for the Hart Trophy, given to the most valuable player in the NHL, scored only one goal in a numerical tie in the playoffs, among seven goals.
Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was replaced by Jack Campbell in the second period for the second time in three games on Friday.
Woodcroft wouldn’t reveal who will be in goal in Game 6.