Draisaitl delivers in overtime as Oilers edge Golden Knights in GOTY contender
The Edmonton Oilers took a commanding 2–0 lead in their second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night, thanks to a thrilling 5–4 overtime win sealed by a Leon Draisaitl goal at T-Mobile Arena.
In a fiercely contested match full of momentum swings, Draisaitl’s overtime wrist shot at 15:20 — assisted by Connor McDavid and Corey Perry — capped off a relentless Oilers performance.
MCDAVID AND DRAISAITL WIN GAME 2 IN OVERTIME 🚨
EDMONTON IS TWO WINS AWAY FROM THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL 👀 pic.twitter.com/4NPeo74usPEdmonton had initially pulled ahead 4–2 in the third period, only for the Golden Knights to claw back and force extra time.
The Oilers rallied from an early deficit after Victor Olofsson gave Vegas the lead in the first period with a power-play goal.
Edmonton responded with three unanswered goals in the second: Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, and Darnell Nurse each found the net, flipping the game on its head before William Karlsson reduced the deficit for Vegas just before the break.
Evander Kane extended the lead early in the third period, but Vegas refused to back down.
Olofsson added his second, and defenceman Alex Pietrangelo tied the game midway through the final frame.
Despite the Golden Knights outmatching Edmonton in the face-off circle (56.6% to 43.4%), the Oilers dominated shots on goal 37–32 and capitalised on key chances, including a late overtime power play after Nicolas Roy was ejected for a cross-checking major.
Calvin Pickard, standing in for Stuart Skinner, made 28 saves, holding strong under pressure, while Adin Hill turned aside 32 shots for Vegas.
With the series now shifting to Edmonton for Game 3 on Saturday night, the Oilers have the chance to push the defending champions to the brink.