While the Vegas Golden Knights have only been an NHL team since 2017, they have already made a major mark on the league — proven by them winning the 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup. And no team in the NHL has a better reason to be bitter about the Golden Knights success than the Edmonton Oilers, after how their 2022-23 season ended. Both the Golden Knights and the Oilers are primed to have another successful season in 2023-24 — and for the Oilers, they have surely been dreaming about the chance to get revenge against the Golden Knights for months now. But will they be able to get it?
In this article, we’ll discuss the Golden Knights’ and the Oilers’ head to head history, their respective backgrounds in the NHL, break down their 2023 matchup in the NHL playoffs, and predict how they’ll matchup in the 2023-24 season.
Golden Knights vs Oilers Head to Head History
The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers have played each other 25 total times. Of those, the Oilers have won 13 matches, and the Golden Knights have won 12. Each team has also scored exactly 80 goals in their matchups.
The first match between the Golden Knights and the Oilers came on November 15, 2017, when the Oilers beat the Golden Knights by a score of 8-2. The most recent contest between these two teams was on May 15, 2023, when the Golden Knights beat the Oilers 5-2.
The longest winning streak in this head to head history is when the Vegas Golden Knights won four straight games against the Oilers, which occurred between March 10, 2020, and February 9, 2022.
The Golden Knights and Oilers play each other three times during the 2023-24 regular season: on November 28 (in Edmonton), February 6 (in Las Vegas), and on April 10 (in Edmonton). All three games are set to be broadcast on national television.
Golden Knights vs Oilers Rivalry Background
Since the Vegas Golden Knights have only existed since 2017, there isn’t much of a rich history between these two teams (aside from their 2023 playoff matchup, that is.) It is worth noting, however, that the Golden Knights just barely beat out the Oilers for both the Pacific Divisional championship and the first seed in the Western Conference. Because they did so, the Golden Knights had home field advantage during their playoff matchup — which, as we’ll soon see, proved to be crucial for their success.
As for the Edmonton Oilers, they were founded in 1972, and have been in the NHL since 1979. They are one of the most successful franchises in NHL history, having won 5 Stanley Cups: in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. As you can see from that, it has been a long time since they’ve won one. Which is why the 2023 playoff matchup against the Golden Knights mattered so much to the franchise and its fanbase.
Golden Knights vs Oilers 2023 NHL Playoffs Matchup
After finishing the 2022-23 NHL regular season with a record of 55-22-9 (111 points), the Golden Knights secured the first seed in the Western Conference for the 2023 NHL playoffs. They went on to beat the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. As for the Oilers, they finished the regular season with a record of 50-23-9 (109 points). They defeated the LA Kinga in the first round of the playoffs — which matched these two teams together for the second round.
Game 1 of the series took place in Las Vegas, on May 3, 2023. Despite an incredible 4 goal game from Oilers’ star player Leon Draisaitl, the Golden Knights scored 6 goals of their own, and were able to win a fan-friendly Game 1 by a score of 6-4.
Game 2 of the series was also in Vegas — but produced much different results. This time, the Oilers came out of the gate swinging; scoring 4 goals in the first period and adding one more in the second period, so that they took a 5-0 lead heading into the third and final period. Ultimately, the Oilers beat the Golden Knights in the game by a score of 5-1.
Which brought the series to Edmonton. Clearly upset about their blowout loss in Game 2, the Golden Knights responded by winning Game 3 by a score of 5-1; in large part due to the two goals scored by Jonathan Marchessault.
Now down 2-1 in the series, the Oilers clearly felt the pressure heading into a crucial Game 4 at home. Luckily, they responded well to the pressure, and jumped out to a 4-0 lead during the game’s first two periods. Connor McDavid added two assists for the Oilers in what ended up being a 4-1 victory for Edmonton; evening the series at 2-2.
Game 5 in Vegas was the most thrilling and closely contested match of the series. Despite two Connor McDavid goals and a late comeback, the Golden Knights’ three goals in the second period proved too tough to overcome, as Vegas beat Edmonton in Game 5 by a score of 4-3.
Which took the series back to Edmonton for Game 6. Unfortunately for the Oilers, Jonathan Marchessault scored a hat trick in the second period alone, allowing the Golden Knights to secure a 5-2 victory and advance to the Western Conference Finals — spelling the end of the Oilers’ season.
Golden Knights vs Oilers 2023-24 Matchup Analysis
While the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2022-23 season ended with popping champagne bottles in Stanley Cup celebration, the Oilers season ended in misery, after losing at home to the Knights. For this season, I expect the Edmonton Oilers to come out with a vengeance in 2023-24, and take it to the Golden Knights (who are currently undefeated in the 2023-24 regular season) during their November 28 matchup. Clearly, the Golden Knights are one of the league’s best teams — and with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at their helm, the Oilers are, too. For this reason, I wouldn’t be surprised if these two teams meet each other in the 2024 NHL playoffs, prompting this budding rivalry to deepen. But will the Golden Knights be able to take down Edmonton once again? Oilers fans sure hope not.
Throughout his career, James has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including major sports networks and media outlets. He has written for television shows, news programs, and online platforms, and has a talent for crafting engaging stories that resonate with viewers.
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