Oilers 5 – Golden Knights 1 | When McDavid eclipses Eichel

Two days away from the draft lottery, the Oilers-Golden Knights series reminds us how far from trivial the 2015 lottery result was.

Brother Mathias Brunet evoked on Friday the sad look of the general manager of the Buffalo Sabers at the time, Tim Murray, after he lost the draw that would have allowed him to draft Connor McDavid. The same long faces that could be seen on the bench of the Golden Knights, Saturday night in Vegas, during the second game of the series, a 5-1 victory of the Oilers. The series is tied 1-1.

Without appeal because it was 4-0 after 20 minutes, thanks in particular to you-know-who and his brother in arms who endorses the number 29, a certain Leon Draisaitl.

McDavid again recalled, during this game, how he plays in his own league. His line set the tone from the first minute by orchestrating an offensive push that led to the game’s first penalty. The Oilers took advantage of their overstaffing to score, because their power-play results since the start of the playoffs are as predictable as the llamas Tintin meets in The Temple of the Sun.

When it was the Edmontonians’ turn to play rough, it was McDavid himself who took charge, dropping the puck to Shea Theodore at the blue line to break away and touch the target.

Result of the races for McDavid: two goals and an assist, a nice way to rebound after the defeat in the first game of the series. Since the start of his career, in the playoffs, he has also posted a record of 14 goals, 21 assists and 35 points in 20 games following a loss.

Meanwhile, Jack Eichel, just the “consolation prize” of the 2015 lottery, was well erased in the first half, while this match was still within reach of Vegas. It must be said that the Knights’ three penalties in the first twenty forced him to watch a good part of the period from the bench. But in the second period, he himself was chased twice.

Eichel remains an excellent player, perfectly adequate for a second overall pick. Only, he is not exceptional like the 97 of the Oilers, and some nights, it shows more than others.

Best Surroundings

Since it is about the lottery, McDavid’s performances must also remind us that these exceptional talents who pass once in 10 years can also take time to develop. The Ontarian revealed himself last year as a great player in the playoffs, seven years after his draft. He is showing this spring that his 2022 series are his new standard.

However, it is essential to emphasize that his entourage has never been so good. Depth has been a thorn in the side of the Oilers since the arrival of McDavid and Draisaitl, but the two superstars are now well supported.

Has there ever been another under-reported 83-point scorer than Zach Hyman this season? Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also amassed his 104 points in the shadow of the two titans. In deep players, Klim Kostin looks like a veritable ball of enthusiasm for his teammates, who he lifted by blocking shots late in the game. Veteran Derek Ryan also does a lot to energize his team.

In defense, Evan Bouchard will be the revelation of the 2023 playoffs if the Oilers stay up late. The more we see him play, the more we understand how he had a place in the top 10 of the 2018 draft. Mattias Ekholm shows why he was so coveted at the trade deadline.

Do the Knights have a problem?

This series now moves to Edmonton, and it will be interesting to follow the situation of the Golden Knights goaltenders. One can indeed wonder if they have not finished living their Laurent Brossoit moment.

The latter has now allowed four or more goals in four of his seven games this spring. We recall his limited experience in the NHL, despite his 30 years: a peak of 21 starts in one season, and only one game in the playoffs before this year.

It’s obviously not his fault that his teammates were under siege for the first 20 minutes. But against the NHL’s best offense of the season, technical fouls like the one on McDavid’s second goal are hard to forgive.

The other options aren’t sexy, though. Adin Hill, who came on as third-period relief, saw playoff action for the first time in his career. And Jonathan Quick, in the stands, is no longer exactly the goalkeeper of old.

Having a problem is one thing, not having a solution is another. Vegas will have to help its keepers collectively, as it doesn’t seem to be hiding there from 2019 vintage Jordan Binnington.