The Vegas Golden Knights are preparing for a second-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, which begins on Tuesday.
Heading into the series, several interesting matchups exist. Connor McDavid vs Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo vs. Leon Draisaitl and the matchup the Golden Knights seemingly have the biggest advantage is in goal.
Adin Hill had his breakout moment against the Oilers in the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs, and if the Golden Knights have any hope of replicating those results, they’ll need Hill to be at his best once again.
In the opening round, the 28-year-old posted a .880 SV% and a 2.83 GAA. The Golden Knights found ways to score key goals when they needed to, but Hill’s overall performance in the first round was below expectations.
If he performs below those expectations, McDavid and Draisaitl will run over the Golden Knights as they did to the Los Angeles Kings. Stopping the duo is virtually impossible, but there are ways of slowing them down. In the moments when they can’t, Hill is going to have to step up.
“They’re a fast team, they’ll get their chances, and they have a couple of pretty good players over there,” said Hill jokingly. “It’ll be a good series. I think they are kind of rolling four lines more now, so those guys will have more energy when they’re out there. I think it should be fast hockey, high intensity, feel like real playoff hockey, for sure.”
The situation in the Oilers’ crease is up in the air, to say the least. They began their series against the Kings with Stuart Skinner in goal, but after two dreadful outings, he was replaced by Calvin Pickard.
Pickard started the ensuing four games, winning each one, but still only posted a .893 SV% and a 2.93 GAA. The Golden Knights have a clear advantage in goal, but they need their $6.25M goaltender to play to that level and outduel the lesser goaltender opposite him.
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Golden Knights, Oilers Open Second Round On Tuesday In VegasThe Golden Knights will open their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (pacific).
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