Let's be honest for a second. The Golden Knights put themselves in this position. Sure, the Edmonton Oilers have two of the best players in the NHL and plenty of forward depth. However, it's not like it should be this hard.
On the surface, everything was set up for an even contest. While the Oilers have the advantage regarding offensive output, the Golden Knights were supposed to be deeper and better defensively. They were also supposed to have the better goaltending, even with Calvin Pickard out.
Well, welcome to the Stanley Cup playoffs, where everything is made up and conventional wisdom doesn't matter! At least, that's the case for the Golden Knights.
Nobody expected Tomas Hertl to go scoreless in his last six games. Nobody expected Adin Hill to have a postseason GAA of 3.15 and a save percentage of .876 in 10 games. Overall, this postseason has been as disastrous as a colon cleanse using Taco Bell food.
Currently, that 3-1 deficit doesn't bode well from a historical standpoint. In fact, Wednesday could be the last game the Golden Knights play based on the history.
*Gulp*
What do the last two instances say about the Golden Knights and their chances? Is this it for Vegas, or do they have some fight in them for one more game?
What history says about the last two times the Golden Knights were down 3-1
The Vegas Golden Knights have only been down 3-1 twice in their franchise history. That happened in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final and during the 2020 COVID bubble. The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup and the Dallas Stars won the Western Conference Final, both in Game 5.
Game 5 With The Opposing Team Up 3-1 | Result |
|---|---|
Vs. Washington Capitals (Stanley Cup Final) | L 4-3 |
Vs. Dallas Stars (Western Conference Final) | L 3-2 OT |
The Capitals scored two third-period goals to take Game 5 and win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Alex Ovechkin got to celebrate in Las Vegas, getting his Conn Smythe Trophy to add to his illustrious career.
The other loss was against the Stars during the 2020 playoff bubble. The Stars returned to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2000, thanks to Denis Gurianov's power play goal 3:36 in. Like the Stanley Cup Final game, the Stars scored two unanswered goals in the third period, sending Game 5 to overtime.
All that sounds like a death knell for a Golden Knights team looking to survive on Wednesday. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and company are hungry and want to put their postseason demons to rest. Let's just say history is not on Vegas's side on this one.
Look on the bright side. At least it's at T-Mobile Arena.