“We keep giving ourselves a chance”: Connor McDavid guides Edmonton Oilers back to Western Conference final with OT victory against Vegas Golden Knights

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are heading back to the Western Conference final after their 1-0 Game 5 overtime thriller victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Down in the series at the beginning of the second-round playoff series against the odds, the silenced their critics and won the series 4-1 based on a perfectly timed goal from Kasperi Kapanen and a flawless shutout performance by goalie Stuart Skinner. The Edmonton Oilers entered their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights as underdogs to many onlookers, but they soon had the tables turned. In five thrilling games, the Oilers had won, advancing to a Western Conference final with a gritty 1-0 overtime win in Game 5. As superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl drew defensive attention, it was Finnish winger Kasperi Kapanen who stepped up to the task with the game-winning goal at 7:19 of overtime. Kapanen, a healthy scratch for the first nine games of Edmonton's postseason, seized his moment when it mattered most. “That’s the main goal, that’s the most important thing, is the team winning and us advancing,” Kapanen said. “I knew eventually I’d probably get a chance. And just being patient and being ready.” Between the pipes, goaltender Stuart Skinner was once again instrumental. He stopped all 24 shots he faced, earning his second consecutive shutout and anchoring a newly tightened Oilers defense that has evolved significantly since the opening round. After they collapsed 24 goals in six games against the Los Angeles Kings during the first round, the Edmonton Oilers' blue line, led by experienced defenceman Darnell Nurse, locked it down during the series against Vegas—conceding just 10 goals in five contests. “I think, for our group, we know that if we want to have any success, it starts with defending. And the offence will come off that,” Nurse said. “And we were more conscious and did a better job of that in this series.” The adjustment of defensive strategy worked out, especially for a Golden Knights team that boasts speed and depth. Even when they dropped Game 3 on a last-minute Vegas goal, the Oilers got their act together again—shutting out Vegas completely in Games 4 and 5. The Edmonton Oilers' captain, Connor McDavid, admitted that there was mounting criticism of the team coming into the series, but said the team never wavered in confidence. “We keep putting ourselves in good positions, keep giving ourselves a chance,” McDavid said. “We keep knocking at the door. That’s all you can do, keep giving yourself a chance.” Behind the Vegas Golden Knights later on, the Edmonton Oilers will next face an opponent determined by the second-round series between the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets. Holding a 3-1 lead in the series, the Stars play Game 5 on Thursday in Dallas. The Edmonton Oilers will be eager to avenge last year’s Stanley Cup final loss to the Florida Panthers and build on the momentum of two consecutive series wins. As Stuart Skinner put it, “It’s been a process to get here, and tonight showed how far we’ve come.” Also read: Edmonton Oilers silence critics and eliminates Golden Knights in grinding playoff winThe Oilers have shown they have more than just star power—they have belief, depth, and now, serious momentum.