Las Vegas – Los Vegas Golden Knights were surprised in overtime in a controversial game, losing the second game of the series against the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 5-4. The loss puts them at a 2-0 disadvantage in the Western Conference semifinals series.
The controversy arose from a play in which Brayden McNabb, defenseman for the Golden Knights, was knocked down by Viktor Arvidsson, which was not penalized. This action allowed the Oilers to transition quickly and Leon Draisaitl scored the winning goal.
It’s pretty clear it’s a penalty. His stick is between McNabb’s legs, and he sends him headfirst into the boards. It’s a pretty clear penalty in my eyes and I think in everyone’s eyes, right? But that’s hockey. You don’t always get the calls.
Mark Stone, Golden Knights captain
Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy was more direct in expressing his opinion on the play.
Listen, Gord is watching it. He blew it. He didn’t call it. I don’t know what else to say. It’s a trip, it’s a dangerous play, it’s all that. But it wasn’t called, so you have to keep playing.
Bruce Cassidy, Golden Knights coach
Cassidy couldn’t confirm McNabb’s availability for Game 3 in Edmonton. McNabb’s possible absence would be a blow to the Golden Knights, as he is a key player on defense and in penalty play.
The game was full of action from the start, with Victor Olofsson scoring the first playoff goal for the Golden Knights. The Oilers responded with three consecutive goals, but William Karlsson brought the Golden Knights closer on the scoreboard. Evander Kane extended the Oilers’ lead, but Olofsson scored again, forcing overtime thanks to a goal by Alex Pietrangelo.
In overtime, Nicolas Roy received a major penalty for a high-sticking, giving the Oilers a power-play opportunity. Despite the Golden Knights’ attempts, Draisaitl sealed the victory for the Oilers.
Cassidy acknowledged the impact of the defeat, but was optimistic about his team’s performance and the possibility of improving in the next games.
This will hurt. But the positive tomorrow will be good. I felt we outplayed the Oilers for the most part and deserved a better fate. How do the guys see it? If they take it as ‘We just have to carry that’ — we both said we wanted to get better as the series went on and we certainly were better than in Game 1. So, we’ll get better today if we want to get back in.
Bruce Cassidy, Golden Knights coach
The Golden Knights, who have reached the playoffs in almost every year since their inaugural season, will look to emulate their 2021 comeback against the Colorado Avalanche, when they managed to win the series after being down 2-0.
I liked our game today; we had a lot of good chances. We scored four goals, and usually, when you score four goals, you’re going to win a playoff game. Unfortunately, we didn’t. You can’t get down, you have to go to Edmonton tomorrow, get ready for Saturday night’s game and give it your best and get a win.
Mark Stone, captain of the Golden Knights
