Yep. That's how everyone felt last night. Now you've got Edmonton feeling super-confident heading into Game 3. Now you're going to hear how the Oilers are "inevitable" when they could face an unstoppable moose and an otter in the next round. Who knows what will happen next?
Overall, it was a brutal feeling. It felt like a low blow from Ric Flair (or Paul Heyman) at WrestleMania. Take your pick from the 5-4 overtime loss, Vegas Golden Knights fans.
Was it the Nicolas Roy cross-checking major that sucked the air out of the offensive balloon? Was it sloppy refereeing where they missed a high-stick against Jack Eichel (and another call to be mentioned later)? Perhaps it was Adin Hill collapsing before our very eyes, allowing soft goal after soft goal.
Regardless, the Oilers have a 2-0 lead heading into Edmonton on Saturday. Having the two best players in the world, coupled with a crowd that believes like they saw Joe Hendry, isn't the best position to be in.
There's so much to unwrap from the game, starting with a controversial no-call in overtime. How did it alter the game--and possibly the series--after Viktor Arvidsson hurt Brayden McNabb? Is there a way the Golden Knights can recover before Edmonton runs to the finish line? Or will their baby boys be in too much pain to even move?
Where was the call on Viktor Arvidsson after tripping Brayden McNabb in overtime?
Let's talk about the penalty that never was. You know, the one. It was where Viktor Arvidsson tripped Brayden McNabb, resulting in the defenseman crashing into the boards.
Of course, Leon Draisaitl scored shortly after, giving the Edmonton Oilers an ultra-mega confidence boost before Saturday. However, Bruce Cassidy was less than thrilled about the play.
"It sucks to lose a player like that. Gord (Dwyer) is looking right at it. He blew the call. It's a can opener trip."Bruce Cassidy
For all the flak the Golden Knights get about the referees gifting calls, they were on the receiving end of a missed call. Mark Stone got in the referees' faces after the overtime goal and tapped on the glass, saying, "This is on you." Heck, even Lil' Wayne thought Vegas got robbed!
Now? The Golden Knights are probably going to be down a forward (potential suspension) and a defenseman (potential injury). All of this happened while being down 2-0 against your rivals. This feels like the worst low blow of them all.
Is there hope for the Vegas Golden Knights after Thursday's groin shot?
Ironically, the Vegas Golden Knights were in a similar situation during last season's Stanley Cup playoffs. The difference? They were up 2-0 against the Dallas Stars.
Mind you, this was before Mikko Rantanen got his antlers and headed to Carolina, then Dallas. A Game 3 overtime winner from Wyatt Johnston shifted the series momentum, leading the Stars to a victory in seven games.
Therefore, it's not entirely out of the equation that the Golden Knights pull this off. That's especially true since they've missed Pavel Dorofeyev in the first two games of the series. Having your young winger can be a difference-maker, especially since the Golden Knights struggled to bury shots home in Game 2.
But that also falls on Adin Hill to improve. You can't let soft goals in during the playoffs, specifically against players who've never had one. Stopping 32 of 37 shots was the difference in this game, leaving Vegas down 2-0 instead of tied at one game apiece. If he doesn't stiffen up his play, the Golden Knights will keel over in pain and be eliminated.
Let's be honest. Not many of us got any sleep last night. It felt like a never-ending nightmare wrought with confident Oilers and overzealous rival fans mocking you. Now, the Golden Knights have the tough task of escaping this 2-0 deficit. Here's hoping they don't get hit in the groin again.