In their second meeting in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers will be hoping to exact revenge after losing to the Golden Knights in Round 2 in 2023.

Ever since the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated them in the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs—dashing their hopes of a long postseason run and eventually hoisting the Stanley Cup themselves—the Oilers have been on a singular mission. Now, with destiny spinning its icy wheel, Edmonton gets the rematch it craved: a second playoff meeting with Vegas, and the chance to settle unfinished business.

The first playoff clash between the Oilers and Golden Knights last season was a brutal, high-octane affair. Edmonton entered the series riding the momentum of a dominant power play and a surging Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl tandem. But Vegas had other plans.

In six games, the Golden Knights used their depth, physicality, and aggressive forecheck to grind down the Oilers. Despite brilliant performances from Draisaitl—who scored 13 goals in 12 playoff games—Edmonton couldn’t overcome defensive lapses and subpar goaltending. Vegas won the series 4-2 and exposed Edmonton’s flaws.

Those wounds haven’t healed. The images of Mark Stone celebrating a pivotal goal or Jonathan Marchessault torching Oilers defenders still sting. Edmonton didn’t just lose—they were outclassed in the moments that mattered most.

Under head coach Kris Knoblauch, who took over early in the 2023-24 season after a disappointing start under Jay Woodcroft, the Oilers have rediscovered their identity. The turnaround was dramatic. From a sub-.500 team in November to one of the league’s hottest squads by March, Edmonton stormed back into contention with a mix of accountability, consistency, and elite-level performances from their stars.

McDavid continues to redefine greatness. His point production remains staggering, and his commitment to two-way hockey has reached new heights. Draisaitl, always the perfect complement, has sharpened his physical edge and playmaking acumen. The supporting cast—featuring Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard—has stepped up.

Perhaps most significantly, goaltender Stuart Skinner has grown from playoff liability to postseason asset. After facing criticism for his performances in 2023, Skinner refined his technique and mental resilience. Backed by a more structured defense, he enters this series with a shot at redemption of his own.

While the Oilers have improved, the Golden Knights haven’t gone anywhere.

After capturing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2023, Vegas returned in 2024-25 with much of its core intact. Mark Stone, now healthy, remains the team’s emotional leader. Marchessault and Jack Eichel continue to be offensive threats, while Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo anchor a formidable blue line.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy’s system still emphasizes defensive responsibility, quick transitions, and physical play—all of which were effective against Edmonton last year. The Golden Knights’ ability to roll four lines and adapt mid-series gives them a tactical edge. Their playoff experience and confidence as defending champions make them a daunting opponent.

Even the midseason addition of veteran depth players like Tomas Tatar and Alec Martinez has bolstered their postseason credibility.

First and foremost, defensive discipline will be paramount. In last year’s series, the Oilers struggled to manage the neutral zone and left Skinner vulnerable to high-danger chances. This time, Knoblauch’s structure emphasizes backpressure, better gap control, and improved defensive zone exits.

Evan Bouchard, now more poised and defensively aware, will be crucial. Alongside Mattias Ekholm, he’s developed into a true top-pair defenseman. The Oilers will lean heavily on his puck-moving ability and power-play quarterbacking.

Speaking of special teams, Edmonton’s power play—which set historic marks in 2023—will once again need to deliver. But the real difference could lie in their penalty kill, which faltered last postseason. New assistant coach Paul Coffey has emphasized aggressive puck pursuit and better stick positioning, and results have improved.

Finally, the bottom six forwards—often a liability in years past—must hold their own. The likes of Warren Foegele, Ryan McLeod, and Corey Perry have brought stability and veteran savvy. Edmonton cannot afford to let Vegas win the depth battle again.

One of the most underappreciated aspects of Edmonton’s growth has been mental toughness.

A year ago, the Oilers folded under pressure. After Game 5, when they blew a late lead and gave up crucial goals, their body language and composure crumbled. That moment became symbolic of a team not yet ready.

This time, there’s a hardened edge. McDavid has grown quieter but more focused. His leadership, once questioned, now commands respect. Draisaitl, whose interviews after the 2023 loss revealed a steely frustration, has channeled that energy into elevating the team’s standards.

In the first round of the 2025 playoffs, Edmonton battled through adversity, winning a gritty seven-game series against the Los Angeles Kings. That test of endurance, punctuated by Skinner’s 43-save performance in Game 7, proved they’re no longer emotionally fragile.

This series isn’t just about revenge. It’s about legacy.

For Edmonton, the McDavid-Draisaitl era has always carried immense expectations. Yet so far, it has lacked the playoff hardware to match the regular-season brilliance. Another second-round exit would be devastating—and might even trigger offseason questions about roster changes or long-term commitments.

For Vegas, a second straight Cup run would solidify their place as the NHL’s gold standard. They’re already the league’s most successful expansion franchise. Beating Edmonton again would reaffirm their dominance over the Western Conference and build a dynasty-in-the-making.

And for hockey fans, this series offers the best of both worlds: skill and grit, speed and strategy, stars and storylines.

Two former No. 1 overall picks, forever linked, will share the spotlight. McDavid has more accolades, but Eichel outperformed him at key moments in the 2023 series. Expect McDavid to play with a fire rarely seen—this is personal.

Skinner enters with momentum, but Vegas can rotate Logan Thompson or Adin Hill depending on the situation. Hill, of course, backstopped Vegas to last year’s Cup. Goaltending could decide this series.

Can Vegas contain the Oilers’ top-ranked power play? Can Edmonton’s PK avoid critical mistakes? Last year, special teams were a wash. This year, Edmonton might have the edge.

Vegas boasts an experienced, physical defense. Edmonton counters with puck-moving talent. Which group imposes its will?

Few second-round series have this level of drama baked in. The animosity. The familiarity. The stakes. Everything suggests we’re in for a classic.

If Edmonton can avoid the mental lapses and undisciplined penalties that haunted them last spring, and if Skinner holds firm, they can win this series. But they’ll need four games of nearly perfect hockey—and the maturity to handle adversity.

Vegas, on the other hand, knows how to win when it matters most. They’re deeper, more experienced, and exude a quiet confidence that’s hard to shake.