The Vegas Golden Knights had a memorable 2023 Stanley Cup run. It was filled with legendary moments, including Adin Hill's legendary stop in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. There were also the first two overtime winners in the Western Conference Final that set the tone.
But one particular series stood out among Golden Knights fans: The second round fight against the Edmonton Oilers. The series was seen as a litmus test of Lady Byng finalist, Jack Eichel and his rival, Connor McDavid.
Which superstar would rise to the occasion?
Who had the better supporting cast?
These questions defined the series along with other noteworthy moments, such as Evander Kane blowing kisses to the T-Mobile Arena crowd. Ultimately, the Golden Knights prevailed in six games, clinching their first Stanley Cup a month later.
That started a unique rivalry between both fanbases. Both had the top two picks in the 2015 NHL Draft, with McDavid and Eichel going 1-2. There was also the chippiness between Alex Pietrangelo and Leon Draisaitl that saw the defenseman suspended for slashing the Oilers superstar.
Guess what? We're running it back with both teams meeting in the second round this postseason. The Oilers came back and defeated the Los Angeles Kings in the first round... Again.
No, seriously. Death, taxes, and the Oilers beating the Kings in the first round. It's like clockwork. So why will this be the best playoff series this postseason?
Let's look back at the 2023 series for reference
If you remember the 2023 series between both teams, it was filled with plenty of noteworthy headlines. First, Evander Kane spent his merry ol' time taunting the T-Mobile Arena crowd in Game 2's 5-1 loss. That led to a middle finger and blown kisses exchanged between both parties.
Then, there was the slashing call on Alex Pietrangelo in Game 4. The Vegas Golden Knights were losing 4-1 when he hacked at Leon Draisaitl. That prompted outrage from Alberta all the way to Toronto. Edmonton Oilers fans will certainly have it out for the defenseman during this series.
You know what they say, after all. Some scars never heal.
But there's the elephant in the room that stands out: Connor McDavid vs. Jack Eichel. Both superstars have grown to become the biggest centers in the game. One has become the de facto face of the league while the other has broken through with 94 points this season.
There's no doubt hockey fans hungry for superstar power will get a heavy dose of McDavid and Eichel throughout the series. Two top picks from the 2015 NHL Draft battling it out for Pacific Division supremacy? Sign me up!
2023 laid the groundwork for a special series between the Golden Knights and Oilers
The aforementioned drama lays the groundwork for the 2025 installment to tell a similar story.
McDavid vs. Eichel.
Pietrangelo vs. Draisaitl (again).
The last two Western Conference champions going at it.
The United States vs. Canada.
All these make for epic drama between both clubs. They will go at each other's throats between four to seven games. It'll be a battle between which top line perseveres.
Will it be McDavid and his motley crew finally getting the best of Vegas? Or will it be business as usual for Eichel and the Golden Knights?
All this will be must-see television (and a field day for Gary Bettman). McDavid has a worthwhile adversary in Eichel, who's impeding him from winning his first Stanley Cup. Think of Michael Jordan and the Bulls against the "Bad Boys" back in the day, except Jordan knows how to win a championship.
Get your popcorn ready, NHL universe. Heck, get a soda while you're at it. You're about to witness greatness unfold for the next two weeks. It should be one for the history books, leaving fans in awe for years to come.