Oilers after closing against Vegas before qualifying for the playoffs

Thanks to the win over Vegas before the playoffs: The Edmonton Oilers.
Image Alliance / Associated Press

While Oilers goalkeeper Mike Smith (40) made a lock (33 saves), defender Chris Russell put Edmonton ahead in the first half. After a goalless midsection, defender Cody Cisse surged again after 35 seconds in the final third. Warren Voegel (46th) and Ryan Nugent Hopkins, with a goal difference (56), ensured the final result.

Unusual: Neither superstars Conor McDavid and Leon Drysittel made it to the scorers list.

Thanks to that success, Leon Drissette’s team boosted their lead over the Golden Knights in ninth place in the conference to seven points – with six games remaining.

Vegas, on the other hand, is facing a tough battle, especially with the Los Angeles Kings, over the last vacant seat in the West. Assistant coach Marco Sturm’s team finished third in the Pacific League with the same number of games (76), one point ahead of the Golden Knights.