“You guys all thought we were going to lose,” the Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse smirked after an assuring win against the Kings on Thursday. After all, Nurse’s vivacity isn’t misplaced. The Oilers have done it again. For the fourth straight time, the Edmonton squad has eliminated the LA Kings from the Stanley Cup playoffs. And now, as they head to the next stages, Connor McDavid seems to consider the opportunity a chance to settle the score with old foes.
After a wobbly start to the 2025 postseason, Edmonton bounced back in style, winning four straight matches and securing its berth in Round 2. Last year, the Oilers reached all the way to the Stanley Cup finals before succumbing to the Florida Panthers. While getting to the championship game is undoubtedly the dream, the immediate challenge has already piqued McDavid & Co.’s attention.
The Oilers will meet the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the playoffs. For those who remember, the Golden Knights were the side that ended Edmonton’s postseason campaign back in 2023. Naturally, Connor can’t wait to lace up and return the favor this time around. In a post by Sportsnet on X from May 1, the Oilers’ captain noted how he’s looking forward to meeting the comrades from the Pacific Division once again.
McDavid and his squad won the series 4-2 against the Kings. Naturally, one would think that a much-deserved celebration is in order before heading to Round 2. However, Connor is already itching to rekindle the old rivalry with the Golden Knights. On being asked how soon the boys will start strategizing for the next opponents, the Edmonton main man said, “…we’re already looking ahead here. We owe Vegas a good series. We don’t forget what happened two years ago,” making it clear that the wound from 2023 is still fresh in everyone’s minds over at Edmonton.
“We owe Vegas a good series. We don’t forget what happened two years ago.”
Connor McDavid joins @GenePrincipe as the Oilers look to face Vegas in Round Two pic.twitter.com/HMCG5vgG7W
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2025
For the uninitiated, the Knights vs Oilers match-up from two years ago was filled with controversies. In Game 4 of the second-round series, Leon Draisaitl made an attempt to cash in on Vegas’ empty net in the third period, only to be slashed by the Knights’ alternate captain Alex Pietrangelo. While injuries and wounds are part of the sport itself, Connor McDavid was livid about the whole incident. The Oilers’ star challenged Pietrangelo immediately after the slash, and later stated, “It was as intent to injure as you can get. That was not a hockey play.”
While McDavid went on to win that particular game, they ultimately lost the series to the Knights 4-2. With the sordid affair still keeping the Oilers squad on their toes, one can vouch that the upcoming Edmonton vs Vegas action will be a thriller. However, it’s not only Draisaitl’s case that has Connor going. Netminder Calvin Pickard also has some contributions behind the captain’s feisty attitude.
The Oilers’ goalie started the playoffs on the bench. But Edmonton went 4-0 with him guarding the pipes with him starting between the sticks. After Round 1, Calvin now boasts a stunning .893 save percentage despite facing 121 shots from the Kings. On Thursday as well, he posted 23 saves to keep the Kings at bay. For obvious reasons, Connor McDavid wants to give something back to the goaltender whose contributions to the team’s turnaround have been incredible. “We love playing for him. He’s been a guy that’s just been a battler his whole career, and couldn’t be a better guy. We love playing for him. We love battling for him,” admitted the team captain on how Pickard has been fueling the Oilers’ desire to forge ahead despite the back-to-back losses in the first two games. But can it be enough for the challenge ahead?
Connor McDavid & Co. have the momentum with them
The Oilers finished the regular season in third place in their division, behind both the Golden Knights and the Kings. However, after the Golden Knights won the first two games of the regular season, the Oilers bounced back to take the next two, the last of which came without Connor McDavid in the Edmonton lineup.
Naturally, Connor wants to feel the thrill himself. The team has had to deal with a lot of injuries this season, with Connor himself being out of action for eight games. Thankfully, last month, the Oilers captain came forward with heartening updates, noting that the medical staff have been working overtime to get everyone back to full health ahead of the playoffs.
Well, so far it does seem to be working out rather well. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at the Kings. After two losses to the Oilers, Los Angeles, in a desperate attempt to get back to its winning ways, brought back the Korean-American “Harmonica Ladies” who proved to supply the team with stellar motivation in games 1 and 2. But even that masterstroke proved to be in vain as on Tuesday, the Oilers picked up a 3-1 victory at the Crypto.com Arena. But can Connor and his teammates capitalize on the winning streak and get their revenge on the Golden Knights? Tell us your thoughts below!
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