Marchessault, Eichel Lead Vegas to 5-1 Win Over Oilers

EDMONTON (Alberta) (AP). Jonathan Marchessault had his first two playoff goals, Jack Eichel scored and assisted, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 5-1 Monday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

Zach Whitecloud, Chandler Stephenson and Zach Whitecloud also scored for Vegas. Laurent Brossoit was in pain after turning away 3 of 4 shots at 11:44 during the first period. He seemed to have injured his left leg while sliding across the crease. Adin Hill entered the game and stopped 25 of the 26 shots he had seen.

The Golden Knights scored five goals in response to the Edmonton goal. Stuart Skinner, who had conceded four goals in 23 shots during the second half of the game, was removed from his position. Jack Campbell, who replaced Skinner and made nine stops, took his place.

The best-of-7 series will continue with Game 4 on Wednesday, and Game 5 at Las Vegas on Friday.

Golden Knights won the first game of the series 6-4, but lost 5-1 in their own home.

Skinner was taken out of Game 4 in Edmonton's first round series against Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers came back from a three goal deficit and won in overtime, with Campbell at the net. But there was no comeback like that this time.

Vegas promised to play more at even strength and not allow Edmonton's power play to run at 56 percent of the minutes in Game 2, as it did. Vegas went 0 for 4 with a man-advantage in the game while Edmonton was 0-for-2.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who had 13 goals and four assist in eight games before the playoffs, also failed to record a single point in the series opener.

The Golden Knights gave Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy more possession of the puck than in Game 2.

After 20 minutes they led 2-1, outshot the Oilers by 15-7 and scored three goals more in the second half.

Vegas went up 3-1 at 7:25, when Whitecloud skated into the faceoff circle on Skinner's right and fired a shot past the glove of the Edmonton goalie.

Eichel's wrist shot beat Skinner on the far side at 12:03 after Edmonton's Evan Bouchard had fallen in neutral to allow Eichel a path. This gave the Golden Knights three goals and ended Skinner’s night.

The Oilers had a goal overturned due to goaltender interferance, but Vegas struck back within 20 seconds when Nicolas Roy, who was on the wing at the time of the challenge sprinted in and Stephenson converted the rebound.

Edmonton scored on the rush at 2:45 in the game, when Foegele redirected Derek Ryan’s pass to Brossoit.

At 4:44, Eichel and Marchessault teamed up to bring the score level at 1-1. Eichel dropped the puck next to the crease after he gloved the pop fly. Marchessault wrapped Skinner's left hand with the puck in the subsequent flurry.

Marchessault added another goal with 51 seconds remaining to give Vegas the lead for good. Eichel carried puck to side of crease, then backhanded pass into slot for Marchessault.

Oilers forward Zach Hyman played only a few shifts following his collision with Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague at 6:36.