Let's be honest, Vegas Golden Knights fans: This postseason hasn't been the prettiest for the fanbase. Only one of five playoff wins was by more than one goal. Mind you, that was a buzzer-beater to add salt to the wound against the Minnesota Wild.
However, you'll take your wins whenever you can get them. That includes banking a shot off Leon Draisaitl's stick to get the game-winning goal... With 0.4 seconds left. Hey, a win's a win, right?
But the problem is, you can scratch and claw your way to wins throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. You can rely on "Misfits" scoring together, where the Golden Knights are 6-0 when Reilly Smith and William Karlsson score. However, a dominating win can change the momentum completely in your favor.
For example, remember when the Golden Knights faced the Oilers in 2023? They won Game 5 thanks to a three-goal second period, with stars like Mark Stone and Reilly Smith scoring goals. The next game? Yep, a blowout.
A 5-2 thrashing in Edmonton sent the Golden Knights to the Western Conference Final. Thanks to Jonathan Marchessault taking over the game in the second period, it catapulted Vegas to winning its first Stanley Cup.
Luckily, Game 3 provides the perfect opportunity for the Vegas Golden Knights to soar
After Connor McDavid scored with 3:02 left, Golden Knights fans were worried this would be another Oilers comeback. Better crack open a few cold ones, mate. This looks like it's going to be ugly.
But that goal has been a recurring theme for Edmonton throughout the series. They've attacked relentlessly in the third period, even with Draisaitl and the top line coming dangerously close. When the Oilers attack, they'll turn on the jets and swarm the ice, looking for any opportunity at the puck.
After all, that's how they won Game 1 of the series. They continued an all-out assault on Adin Hill, leaving him exposed to a relentless offense. But what if the tables were turned? What if Vegas got some offensive zone time of their own throughout the period and made the Oilers' goaltenders work?
24 shots on Stuart Skinner isn't cutting it anytime soon. You need more shots from your best players, including Pavel Dorofeyev (one shot in Game 3), Ivan Barbashev (one shot), and Jack Eichel (one shot). It's not like Eminem is your bartender after ordering Mom's spaghetti, you know.
The framework is being laid out for the Golden Knights
Believe it or not, the Edmonton Oilers have actually laid out the groundwork for the Vegas Golden Knights to take the series by the horns. Sure, the comeback wins are impressive. However, being up 2-0 provides the perfect template to crack a game wide open.
But getting seven shots on goal in the last two periods? Not so much. It's a recipe for disaster that leads offensive-minded teams like the Oilers to come back. 73 shots on goal this series won't get the job done, either.
That's why I want to see an aggressive Golden Knights team like fans saw in the first period of each game. Set the tone early, especially since you're outscoring the Oilers in the first period, 5-3. Make it so Connor McDavid and company have to play on their heels constantly.
If Vegas can do that, they'll get a dominating win. The same goes for the power play, where the Golden Knights have converted 33.3% of their opportunities. Coming back in this series might start with a stunning goal from Reilly Smith. But it flourishes with Jack Eichel and company pulling off a dominating win.