Vegas Golden Knights Snap Edmonton Oilers’ 16-Game Winning Streak with 3-1 Victory
In a thrilling showdown on Tuesday night, the Vegas Golden Knights put an end to the Edmonton Oilers’ impressive 16-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory. The Oilers were on the verge of tying the record set by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins for the longest winning streak in NHL history, but the Golden Knights had other plans.
The game remained tied at 1-1 after two periods, setting the stage for a dramatic third period. It was Chandler Stephenson who stepped up for the Golden Knights, taking a pass from Jonathan Marchessault and unleashing a powerful shot from the center of the left circle. The puck found its way past Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner, giving Vegas the go-ahead goal less than two minutes into the final period.
From that point on, it was Adin Hill’s time to shine. The Golden Knights’ goaltender made an impressive 30 saves throughout the game, including a spectacular stop on Leon Draisaitl’s backdoor one-timer late in the third period. Hill’s exceptional performance kept the Oilers at bay and energized the crowd until the final horn.
Despite the loss, Edmonton captain Connor McDavid remained positive about his team’s performance. “I liked a lot of the parts of our game,” he said. “We just didn’t find a way to get a win. Their goalie played well and made some big saves.”
Hill’s outstanding play was complemented by goals from Nic Roy and William Karlsson, further solidifying the Golden Knights’ victory. Roy showcased his skills by gathering a rebound from the crease and swiftly snapping it past Skinner for his 10th goal of the season. Karlsson sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the final seconds of the game.
For Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch, missed opportunities were the turning point in the game. “I think a big turning point in the game was the late goal [Vegas] scored in the first period. And then for us, it was just missed opportunities. I think the chances were there,” he explained.
The Oilers’ remarkable winning streak had been a testament to their resilience and determination. After a slow start to the season, with a record of 3-9-1, the team fired coach Jay Woodcroft on November 12. Since then, under the guidance of Kris Knoblauch, the Oilers have turned their season around, boasting an impressive 26-7-0 record.
Despite the loss, McDavid emphasized the importance of moving forward and continuing to play at a high level. “We have to move on,” he stated. “We have to play some good hockey coming down the stretch here.”
The atmosphere in the T-Mobile Arena was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game. Adin Hill summed it up perfectly, saying, “It felt like a playoff game tonight. It was loud, fans were into it, so, it was a good atmosphere.”
Both teams displayed their skills and determination, making it a tight and intense contest. Mattias Ekholm of the Oilers acknowledged their solid performance but believed there was still room for improvement. “I thought we played pretty good, [but] there’s another level to our game,” he commented.
As the Vegas Golden Knights celebrated their victory and the end of the Oilers’ winning streak, it was clear that this game had been one for the books. The Golden Knights had proven themselves as a formidable force in the NHL, while the Oilers showed resilience and determination throughout their impressive run.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.