Let's be honest. Watching the third period of Game 1 unfold was equivalent to having a heated laser pointed at your eyes. Seeing Adin Hill collapse into a pile of dung isn't what the doctor ordered. In fact, it was enough to make the entire fan base explode in a fit of rage.
Edmonton getting their fifth-straight comeback win? Now, Golden Knight fans are subjected to "The Machine" talk when there hasn't been a single Stanley Cup in Canada since 1993. That's what makes the rivalry thrilling, though. The trash talk still lives on, especially when your rivalry feels like the Michigan Wolverines vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes.
But there's a colder reality ahead for the Golden Knights: A 2-0 deficit. It's something they don't want to face, given how talented the Oilers are. Draisaitl and McDavid at Rogers Place? That's essentially writing your own death sentence!
Still, that's a situation the Dallas Stars were in when they faced the Golden Knights last season. Down 2-0 and heading to Las Vegas, the Stars were looking for something to get them going. Heck, they'd take a fourth line player scoring two goals if it came down to it.
Why the Golden Knights must learn from last postseason's failure and use it against the Oilers
Those same Stars were up 2-0 in Game 3, thanks to Wyatt Johnston and Miro Heiskanen. It took two second-period goals from Jack Eichel and Brayden McNabb to tie things up and take it to overtime. Vegas Golden Knights fans can also thank Logan Thompson for the 43 saves.
But a funny thing happened in that overtime period. Wyatt Johnston scored again. The Stars grabbed Game 3 and a dachshund was DJ'ing in Dallas. Mind you, Johnston had three goals and three assists during that series.
Suddenly, Pete DeBoer is employing his patented shoot-and-pray style while clogging the neutral zone board to board. Bruce Cassidy had no answers and the Golden Knights ended up losing the series in seven games. The result? DeBoer gets his revenge.
For a Golden Knights offense that looked solid during the regular season, they fell flat after the first period in Game 1. Mustering only seven shots in that span isn't getting the job done, especially with the two best players in the NHL opposing you.
Now, the group looks like 100 men going up against a gorilla and is getting torn apart at the seams. Sure, the team didn't have Pavel Dorofeyev or Alex Pietrangelo in Game 1. However, the Golden Knights need their own Wyatt Johnston to step in and take over the series.
Who could serve as the Vegas Golden Knights version of Wyatt Johnston this series?
Obviously, that honor goes to none other than Tomas Hertl. The Czech center has been relatively quiet in his last three games, not scoring a single point. He could use a breakout game on Thursday, whether it's on the power play or on even strength.
He's also a bigger body who can overmatch the Edmonton Oilers. Imagine having to work with a 6'3", 215 lb. center in the slot who's hungry for loose pucks and redirections. Edmonton saw that in the first period of Game 1 with Mark Stone during the power play. Get enough shots on goal and you can make Calvin Pickard pay.
You can also look at Brett Howden as a perfect example. He has the speed to cause problems and has vastly improved his puck-handling skills. It's no wonder he scored 23 goals during the regular season. Heck, he has as many as Hertl!
The Oilers are feeling awfully confident after winning Game 1. It's a similar situation the Golden Knights had when they defeated the Dallas Stars in Game 1 last season. Golden Knights fans know how that turned out.
Therefore, they must learn to shoot and pray before those chirps get louder. It's what Pete DeBoer would've wanted.