The Vegas Golden Knights entered a pivotal Game 5 needing some reassurance. They were tied at two games apiece with their hated rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. They also came off an embarrassing 4-1 loss in Edmonton and needed some momentum.
Luckily, Jack Eichel stepped up with three points (one goal and two assists) for a 4-3 win. Sure, the Oilers got three power play goals. Sure, Connor McDavid scored two goals. But did it matter when the Golden Knights would eventually win the series?
They would blitz the Dallas Stars and grab a 3-0 series lead before closing things out. Then, they would demolish the Florida Panthers for their first Stanley Cup and a promise fulfilled.
But what if that promise wasn't fulfilled in Game 5? What if Edmonton broke through by tying the game and eventually winning in overtime? What if Evander Kane was blowing kisses to the Las Vegas crowd while Golden Knights fans were flipping them off? What if Jake Walman suddenly showed up and started doing the Griddy because he wanted to (okay, he wouldn't show up during that time. But it wouldn't surprise me)?
I know that's the reaction you're having to such an idea. Perish the thought that the Canadian media needs more reasons to fall in love with McDavid!
But let's plug our noses and dive into this one. We'll explore the consequences of losing a crucial game. How would it have affected the Golden Knights and the Oilers?
How the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights would've been affected by Edmonton winning Game 5 in 2023
First, I guarantee you the Oilers would've made the Stanley Cup Final after winning Game 6. They would've taken care of the Stars since Pete DeBoer doesn't know how to manage his lineups and goaltenders when it counts.
Here's a hot take for you that you'll probably hate. I wouldn't have been surprised if McDavid got his first Stanley Cup here. I probably would've bet some solid money that they would've won it all if they won Game 5 and took the series.
Now I know you're going to call me crazy here. But the Oilers' power play was clicking here. We're talking about a power play percentage of 46.2% during those Stanley Cup playoffs (league-best, by the way).
Combine that with Florida's relative playoff inexperience and you would've had a recipe for disaster. Yes, you can say that Stuart Skinner was a walking turnstile and Edmonton had no backcheck (still doesn't, to this day). I say that the combination of McDavid (eight goals and 12 assists in 12 playoff games in 2023), Draisaitl (13 goals and five assists in 12 games), and a lethal power play would've proven fatal.
Considering the Panthers had the most penalty minutes during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs (379), it makes this take even more believable. As for the Golden Knights, there would've been endless questions about whether this group could win it all. They failed in 2018, collapsed in 2019, and fell short in the semifinal in both 2020 and 2021. Would they ever win if they lost the series?
The questions would've burned the Golden Knights badly if they lost
"How can the Golden Knights win if their players disappear like John Cena during the playoffs?"
"Does this team need a shake-up?"
"Maybe Pete DeBoer wasn't the problem..."
All these questions would've lingered if Vegas had collapsed in Game 5. Holding a 4-2 lead isn't easy by any means. However, losing that lead to your bitter rival would've been devastating. It would've called for a drastic move that changed the team forever.
No, I'm not talking about Mitch Marner, either. I'm talking about going after players like Linus Ullmark and Mikko Rantanen in the future. Bill Foley and Kelly McCrimmon would've found a way to make a high-risk, high-reward move that bolstered the lineup and mortgaged the future.
Luckily, that isn't a reality for Golden Knights fans. They don't have to hear "Phil" from Edmonton drone on about how home-ice isn't a factor in this regard (The 2018-19 San Jose Sharks would like a word with you, by the way). The Golden Knights took Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena and finished their story afterwards.
On top of that, they're the last Pacific Division team to hoist Lord Stanley over their heads. You're the "Gold Standard" in your respective division and can still lay claim to doing something that neither Connor McDavid nor Leon Draisaitl can do.
Still, it'd be nice to win another title, wouldn't it? I'm sure Mitch Marner, Eichel, and company would love nothing more than to stick it to their rivals. It's a good thing there's a regular season coming up in a few months.