'Have that belief': Oilers set playoff record with 5th straight comeback win
The Edmonton Oilers scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 1 on Tuesday, making NHL history in the process.
The Oilers are the first team ever with five straight comeback wins in a single Stanley Cup Playoffs.
| Game | Largest deficit | Final score |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 vs. Golden Knights | 2-0 | 4-2 |
| Game 6 vs. Kings | 2-1 | 6-4 |
| Game 5 vs. Kings | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Game 4 vs. Kings | 3-1 | 4-3 |
| Game 3 vs. Kings | 4-3 | 7-4 |
"You don't want to be down in five games, but we have the experience that we can come back and fight our way out of it," forward Zach Hyman said postgame. "You have to have that belief in your group when you're down that you can come back. If you don't, you're not gonna win five in a row like that."
Edmonton has outscored its opponents 18-6 in the third period and overtime this postseason.
Hyman ripped the game-winner off the post and in with 3:02 remaining in the third period Tuesday. Connor Brown notched a key insurance marker 1:16 later to seal the victory.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said he's been "very happy" with his club's third-period efforts in these playoffs.
"That's part of having a mature, older group. ... Those players have seen a lot - a lot of good things, a lot of bad things," Knoblauch said when asked about Edmonton's lack of panic when facing a deficit. "They know that, during the playoffs, things fluctuate.
"There's a lot of things that can stress out the team, and no matter what happens, I think we handle it really well."
Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry also scored for the Oilers. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard chipped in with two assists apiece.
Calvin Pickard stopped 15 of 17 shots in the victory. The journeyman netminder is now a perfect 5-0 in five starts this postseason since taking over for a struggling Stuart Skinner.
The puck drops on Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
"It gives you a great opportunity," Hyman said. "Obviously, you steal one in their rink, and now you have a chance at taking both, so we haven't been in that spot a lot.
"We've always kind of had to fight from behind in series, and it's nice to get the first one out of the way early."