One thing is becoming crystal clear during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Never count out the Edmonton Oilers. For the fifth straight postseason game, the Oilers came from behind — this time storming back from a 2-0 first-period deficit to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference Second Round series. With the win, Edmonton now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 and sets a new NHL record for most consecutive comeback victories in a single postseason.
Zach Hyman delivered the go-ahead goal with 3:02 remaining in regulation, ripping a wrist shot from above the right circle after absorbing a high stick earlier in the shift. Just 1:16 later, Connor Brown added insurance, sealing a stunning rally by the Oilers in a building where the Golden Knights are typically dominant.
Edmonton’s top stars came to life after a quiet opening frame. Leon Draisaitl finished with a goal and an assist, Corey Perry and Brown added goals, and both Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard notched two assists. McDavid’s helpers extended his streak to four consecutive postseasons with at least 10 assists — tied for fourth-most in NHL history.
The Golden Knights looked in control early, with captain Mark Stone striking twice in the first period, including one on a double-minor power play. Vegas led 2-0 at the first intermission and had been 47-4 in the postseason all-time when leading by two or more goals — until now.
But Edmonton took over the game in the second period, outshooting Vegas 12-1. It was the first time the Golden Knights had ever been held to fewer than two shots in a regulation playoff period.
The Oilers tied it just 57 seconds into the third when Draisaitl threw a backhander off the boards that ricocheted off Vegas goalie Adin Hill and into the net. From there, Edmonton kept the pressure on and never looked back.
Calvin Pickard, starting for Edmonton, wasn’t heavily tested after the first period and finished with 13 saves on 15 shots. Meanwhile, Hill stopped 24 of 28 for Vegas, who were without key players. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo missed the game due to illness, opening the door for Kaedan Korczak to make his postseason debut. The Golden Knights also played without 35-goal scorer Pavel Dorofeyev for the second consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Bruce Cassidy described him as “day to day.”
Game 2 is set for Thursday night in Las Vegas, where the defending champion Golden Knights will look to respond to a resilient and red-hot Oilers squad that refuses to go away quietly.
