Edmonton Oilers Determined to Avenge 2023 Playoff Loss to Golden Knights in Highly Anticipated Second Round Rematch

The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and heading into a familiar showdown, this time with vengeance on their minds. After being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2023 postseason, the Oilers find themselves in an opportunity-laden rematch against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. But unlike last season, the Oilers believe they are not only older and wiser—but fully prepared to write a different ending this time around.

A year ago, Edmonton’s high-octane offense, powered by generational stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, was stymied by a deeper, more balanced Golden Knights squad that found ways to wear down the Oilers over six hard-fought games. Vegas controlled the tempo, limited odd-man rushes, and exposed Edmonton’s defensive lapses and goaltending inconsistencies. It wasn’t just a series loss—it was a gut-punch to an Oilers team many believed was poised to finally reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.

But a lot can change in 12 months.

This season, the Oilers have been a tale of two teams: a sluggish 2-9-1 start that prompted the dismissal of head coach Jay Woodcroft in November, and a ferocious turnaround under Kris Knoblauch that reminded everyone of Edmonton’s immense potential. Since that low point, the Oilers have emerged as one of the NHL’s best teams down the stretch, securing home ice for Round 1 and dispatching the Los Angeles Kings in five games. The series win marked Edmonton’s third straight playoff victory over the Kings and served as a tune-up for the showdown they’ve waited for since last spring.

The loss to Vegas was never far from their minds. It lingered like a scar, a reminder that even with the best player in the world on your roster, postseason success requires more than top-end talent. It demands depth, discipline, and resilience. Now, Edmonton feels it has all three.

Perhaps no player better embodies the team’s evolution than McDavid. While his regular-season dominance remains unquestioned—his vision, speed, and creativity continue to dazzle—McDavid’s leadership has grown visibly. He’s become more vocal, more demanding, and more aware of the nuances required to win tight playoff games. Against the Kings, McDavid notched 10 points in five games, but his defensive commitment and faceoff work were equally notable. In the Vegas series last year, he was spectacular, but at times isolated. This time around, the Oilers will look to McDavid not just to lead, but to elevate the supporting cast around him.

Draisaitl, meanwhile, continues to be one of the most dangerous postseason performers in the league. He torched the Kings with eight goals and has a history of raising his game against top-tier opponents. Last year, he scored six goals in six games against Vegas but received little help from Edmonton’s secondary scorers. Knoblauch and general manager Ken Holland have worked to address that, adding experience and edge to the bottom six with key acquisitions like Corey Perry and Adam Henrique, while relying on emerging contributors like Ryan McLeod and Dylan Holloway to chip in timely efforts.

Defensively, the Oilers have improved significantly since the start of the season. Mattias Ekholm, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, has brought stability and poise to the blue line, mentoring young Evan Bouchard, who has taken a significant step forward offensively and defensively. Darnell Nurse remains a physical presence, but he’s being deployed more strategically, with minutes spread more evenly to avoid the exhaustion that plagued him late in last year’s playoff run.

Goaltending, as always, looms as the great X-factor. Stuart Skinner, who struggled in the 2023 series against Vegas, has matured and posted more consistent performances under Knoblauch’s system. He wasn’t spectacular against the Kings, but he was solid, and sometimes that’s all the Oilers need with their offensive firepower. The coaching staff has emphasized structure and reduced high-danger chances against, hoping that solid team defense can make Skinner’s job easier against a potent Golden Knights attack.

Vegas, for its part, has hardly slipped from the elite status it achieved en route to its first Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights remain deep, disciplined, and menacing in transition. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault headline a lineup that plays with a chip on its shoulder. The return of Stone from injury ahead of the playoffs has re-energized the team, and goalie Adin Hill remains a steady presence in the crease after backstopping the Cup run last year.

One advantage for Edmonton this time might be health. Last year’s series saw injuries take a toll on both clubs, but the Oilers were particularly impacted on the back end. They enter this year’s second round with a healthier roster and fresher legs, which could make a difference in a long, physical series.

There’s also the motivation factor. Revenge isn’t a strategy, but it’s fuel. The Oilers have spent the past year replaying last spring’s disappointment in their minds. That Game 6 loss, when the Golden Knights pulled away in the third period, stung more than most. It wasn’t just an elimination—it was a collapse. Edmonton led 2-1 midway through that contest before surrendering three unanswered goals and watching Vegas celebrate on their home ice.

That bitter memory still resonates in the locker room. McDavid called it a “lesson we won’t forget,” while Draisaitl admitted it took weeks to fully shake the sting. The Golden Knights didn’t just beat the Oilers—they exposed their flaws. This year, Edmonton wants to show just how far they’ve come in addressing them.

Even the coaching edge feels more even. Bruce Cassidy outmaneuvered Woodcroft at key moments last year, with better matchup management and smarter neutral-zone play. Knoblauch brings a fresh approach and a quieter demeanor, but he’s earned the locker room’s trust and brought structure to the team’s transition game. Edmonton is no longer just an offense-first squad; it’s becoming a more complete unit.

Yet, despite all of the improvements, the Oilers know the challenge ahead is immense. Vegas remains the measuring stick in the Western Conference. Until someone dethrones them, the Golden Knights are the team to beat. Edmonton has the firepower, the urgency, and the memory of last year’s heartbreak pushing them forward, but they’ll need discipline and execution at every level.

The power play, one of Edmonton’s greatest weapons, must continue to dominate. It has operated at historically high efficiency rates over the last two seasons, but Vegas managed to minimize its impact in key games last May. The Oilers will need to stay out of the penalty box themselves while ensuring their man-advantage unit capitalizes whenever the opportunity arises.

Puck management will be another focal point. Vegas thrives on turnovers and quick counterattacks, and their defense, led by Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, is adept at jumping into the rush. Edmonton’s forwards will need to make smart decisions through the neutral zone, and their defense must be prepared for heavy forechecking and speed through the middle.

As the series gets underway, the atmosphere in Rogers Place is expected to be electric. Edmonton fans have endured years of playoff heartbreak and near-misses, but belief is growing that this year could finally be different. The team’s growth under adversity, combined with its elite talent and added depth, gives Oilers supporters reason to hope.

The rematch with Vegas isn’t just about redemption—it’s a referendum on whether Edmonton’s rebuild, centered around McDavid and Draisaitl, can finally deliver its ultimate prize. Another loss would only amplify the whispers that time is running out on the current core. But a win? That would signal that the Oilers are no longer just contenders in theory—but ready in reality.

This isn’t just a playoff series. It’s a reckoning. And the Oilers, scarred but sharpened by last year’s fall, are ready for their shot at payback.