Edmonton Oilers Look to Avenge Last Season’s Playoff Loss as They Face Vegas Golden Knights in Second Round Rematch
The Edmonton Oilers enter the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a sense of unfinished business, as they prepare to battle the Vegas Golden Knights in a rematch that’s been simmering for nearly a year. After being eliminated by Vegas in six games during last season’s Western Conference Semifinals, the Oilers now have a chance to flip the script and prove they’ve grown from the bitter disappointment that ended their 2024 campaign. For Edmonton, this series isn’t just about advancing — it’s about redemption.
Led by their superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers powered through the first round of the playoffs with a statement-making performance against the Los Angeles Kings, dispatching them in five games and showcasing a more complete brand of hockey than in previous years. Their power play remained as lethal as ever, and the defensive improvements that have been emphasized since training camp finally appeared to be paying dividends. Now, the challenge becomes significantly tougher, as they square off against the defending Stanley Cup champions — a team that didn’t just beat them last spring but outplayed them when it mattered most.
Vegas, on the other hand, comes into this series with swagger, depth, and championship experience. The Golden Knights showed in their first-round victory over the Dallas Stars that their core remains as formidable as ever. Jack Eichel is proving that last year’s playoff breakthrough was no fluke, while veterans like Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone continue to elevate their games when it counts. Add in the defensive prowess of Alex Pietrangelo and the reliable goaltending of Adin Hill, and it’s clear that Edmonton will need to bring its best effort on both ends of the ice to emerge victorious.
One of the biggest questions heading into Game 1 is whether Edmonton has truly solved the issues that doomed them in the 2024 series. Last year, the Oilers were undone by inconsistent five-on-five play and untimely breakdowns in their defensive zone. While their power play was historically good, Vegas found ways to contain it just enough while exploiting Edmonton’s mistakes at even strength. The Oilers’ improved blue line, bolstered by the additions of Mattias Ekholm and the emergence of Evan Bouchard, will be tested again by a deep and opportunistic Vegas offense.
Another critical aspect of this series will be goaltending. Stuart Skinner struggled at times during last year’s playoffs and was eventually replaced by Jack Campbell. This year, Skinner has shown more poise and consistency, but he’ll need to raise his level even further to match up against Hill, who has proven himself as a big-game netminder. If Skinner can hold the fort and avoid the soft goals that cost the Oilers in the past, it could be the difference between another early exit and a long playoff run.
Offensively, Edmonton continues to rely heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl, who have once again been near-unstoppable. Draisaitl, in particular, has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous postseason performers. His ability to control games, especially when paired with McDavid, makes the Oilers a nightmare matchup for any team. But to get past Vegas, they’ll need secondary scoring to step up. Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evander Kane must provide consistent contributions, and the bottom six forwards will need to play with energy, discipline, and purpose.
Vegas counters with a much more balanced attack. The Golden Knights can roll four lines with confidence, and that depth wore down the Oilers last year. Players like Chandler Stephenson, Ivan Barbashev, and Nicolas Roy play crucial roles in Vegas’s system, and their ability to chip in offensively while playing responsible two-way hockey gives the Knights a significant edge in matchup flexibility. Head coach Bruce Cassidy is a master of in-game adjustments, and his ability to deploy lines strategically will test Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch’s tactical awareness.
Special teams, as always, could swing the series. Edmonton’s power play is still the most feared unit in the league, converting at a ridiculous pace. But Vegas has a disciplined penalty kill and a knack for limiting high-danger chances. If Vegas can keep penalties to a minimum and control the pace of five-on-five play, they’ll have a clear path to victory. Conversely, if the Golden Knights give McDavid and company too many chances with the man advantage, it could be a death sentence.
For the Oilers, the emotional edge of this rematch might provide an extra push. The pain of last year’s defeat still lingers, and the team has talked openly about how that series served as a wake-up call. They’ve focused all season on becoming more than just a top-heavy offensive team, and this series will be the ultimate test of whether those efforts have paid off. In many ways, this is the moment they’ve been building toward — a chance to show that they’ve matured, evolved, and are ready to join the NHL’s elite.
Leadership will play a huge role, both on the ice and behind the bench. McDavid, while still searching for his first Stanley Cup, has embraced the responsibilities of captaincy with increasing confidence. His voice carries more weight in the locker room, and his relentless work ethic sets the tone for the team. Draisaitl, often the emotional engine of the group, will be leaned on to inspire and lead, especially in moments when the game hangs in the balance. On the coaching front, Knoblauch has instilled a calm, focused mindset, but this is his biggest challenge yet. Matching wits with a seasoned coach like Cassidy in a high-stakes series will demand precision, preparation, and adaptability.
The atmosphere surrounding Game 1 is electric, with fans on both sides relishing the drama of a playoff rematch. Rogers Place will be loud, intense, and ready to erupt with every shift. Edmonton’s home-ice advantage could be crucial, especially if the Oilers start the series with urgency and physicality. The crowd can serve as a sixth skater, and the Oilers will need that energy to push through the emotional highs and lows that come with a playoff series of this magnitude.
In the broader picture, this series has implications that extend beyond just the two teams. It’s a clash of styles — Edmonton’s high-octane offense versus Vegas’s structured, balanced approach. It’s also a battle between a team chasing its first championship of the McDavid era and a team trying to defend its title and establish a modern dynasty. Whoever comes out on top will likely be viewed as the favorite to reach the Stanley Cup Final from the Western Conference, and perhaps even win it all.
There’s no denying the stakes. For Edmonton, it’s about proving they belong, proving that last year’s lessons weren’t wasted, and proving that their time is now. For Vegas, it’s about maintaining their place at the top and showing that last year’s triumph was just the beginning. Every shift, every hit, every goal will matter. The margin for error is razor-thin. And for fans, it’s a chance to witness two of the league’s most talented teams go head-to-head with everything on the line.
As Game 1 approaches, the storylines are rich, the emotions are raw, and the players are ready. The Oilers know what’s at stake. The Golden Knights aren’t going anywhere quietly. One year after their playoff paths crossed in heartbreak for Edmonton and glory for Vegas, the stage is set for a new chapter — and this time, the Oilers are determined to write a different ending.
