Leon Draisaitl delivered in the clutch once again, this time in stunning fashion, lifting the Edmonton Oilers to their sixth consecutive win with a sudden-death overtime goal that capped off a wild comeback and secured a 5-4 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series. With the win, the Oilers now hold a commanding 2-0 series lead and continue to look like one of the most dangerous teams left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It was a night that had everything: explosive scoring, momentum swings, grit, and ultimately, the brilliance of Edmonton’s star power shining through in the biggest moment. Draisaitl, who has been nothing short of magnificent this postseason, buried the game-winner just 2:21 into overtime, sending Rogers Place into a frenzy and pushing Edmonton even closer to a long-awaited return to the conference finals.
The game didn’t start the way the Oilers wanted. In fact, for much of the first period and the early stretch of the second, it looked like the Golden Knights were going to respond with a vengeance after dropping Game 1. Jonathan Marchessault opened the scoring just 4:37 into the game, beating Stuart Skinner with a quick wrister off a feed from Jack Eichel. Vegas added to its lead less than five minutes later when Mark Stone redirected a shot from the point past Skinner to make it 2-0.
For the first time in weeks, Edmonton looked rattled.
But in the playoffs, momentum is fragile, and no team has flipped the script better this postseason than the Oilers. Just before the second period’s halfway mark, Zach Hyman found the back of the net on a power play, cleaning up a rebound after a Darnell Nurse blast from the blue line. The goal reignited the Oilers and the home crowd, and suddenly the tides began to turn.
Connor McDavid, who had been held quiet in the first period, began to take over in the second. Less than four minutes after Hyman’s goal, McDavid blew past two defenders and fired a blistering wrist shot past Logan Thompson to tie the game 2-2. The entire rink could feel the shift in energy. Edmonton wasn’t just fighting back—they were taking control.
The third period delivered pure chaos. Vegas regained the lead early in the frame as William Karlsson roofed a shot on a 2-on-1 rush, restoring the Golden Knights’ advantage at 3-2. But once again, the Oilers responded. Evan Bouchard, one of the unsung heroes of this playoff run, fired a slapshot through traffic that deflected off a stick and into the net, tying things at three with just over nine minutes to play.
The Golden Knights weren’t done yet. With under five minutes left in regulation, Chandler Stephenson capitalized on a neutral-zone turnover and scored a breakaway goal that momentarily looked like it would be the dagger. But in true Oilers fashion, they refused to go quietly. Just 71 seconds later, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins cleaned up a McDavid rebound in front of the crease to knot the game at 4-4 and send it to overtime.
Then came Draisaitl’s heroics.
Off the opening draw in OT, Edmonton wasted no time applying pressure. After a forced turnover in the neutral zone, McDavid carried the puck in with speed, drawing two defenders to him before dishing a perfect backhand pass to Draisaitl trailing the play. With time and space, Draisaitl settled the puck and ripped a one-timer glove side, beating Thompson clean and setting off the celebration.
It was Draisaitl’s 10th goal of the playoffs—more than any player this postseason—and yet another example of his clutch gene that has elevated the Oilers to another level. He now has 17 points in just eight playoff games, continuing a blistering pace that has left opponents with few answers.
Beyond the star-studded top line, Edmonton’s depth once again played a crucial role. The Oilers got strong performances from their blue line, especially Bouchard and Nurse, who logged heavy minutes and contributed offensively. Skinner, despite giving up four goals, stood tall late in the third and into overtime, making several key stops to give his team a chance.
Vegas, meanwhile, will head home with more questions than answers. After squandering multiple leads and failing to close out a game in which they led 2-0 and 4-3, the Golden Knights must regroup quickly if they hope to keep the series competitive. Their defensive lapses and inability to contain Edmonton’s top stars have been exposed in back-to-back games, and head coach Bruce Cassidy will need to find adjustments before Game 3.
There’s also a looming concern around Vegas’ goaltending. Logan Thompson, while serviceable, has not looked sharp against the high-octane Oilers offense. With Adin Hill still unavailable, the Knights may be forced to roll with Thompson again despite growing signs of vulnerability.
For Edmonton, the win reinforces what the hockey world is starting to believe: this team might be the real deal. The Oilers have now won six straight, all while showing an ability to win in different ways—blowouts, comebacks, tight defensive battles, and now overtime thrillers.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised his team’s resilience after the game. “We’ve talked all year about facing adversity and not folding. Tonight was a perfect example of that. Vegas is a great team and they pushed us, but our guys never stopped believing.”
He also praised his two superstars, McDavid and Draisaitl, for their leadership and execution in crunch time. “They’re the heartbeat of this team. They lead by example and rise to the moment when we need them most.”
Now with the series shifting to Las Vegas, the Oilers have the opportunity to deliver a potential knockout punch. Winning both games on home ice gives them the upper hand, but the mission is far from over. The Golden Knights are a battle-tested group that won’t go away quietly, especially in front of their own fans.
Still, with Draisaitl and McDavid playing at a transcendent level, and with a supporting cast rising to the occasion, Edmonton is looking every bit the part of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. They’ve proven they can come from behind, respond to adversity, and win the big moments.
And on a night when they needed one more goal, it was Draisaitl—cool, poised, and deadly—who delivered the final blow.
