The Oilers continue their remarkable run of comeback victories powered by elite talent. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have established themselves as the premier playoff performers of their era.
Edmonton’s veteran roster has displayed composure during come-from-behind wins, eliminating the Kings for the fourth consecutive year and securing a Game 1 victory against the Golden Knights in Round 2. The team consistently overcomes deficits to win late.
The Oilers rank among the oldest teams in the salary-cap era. In the past two decades, only one NHL team has matched Edmonton’s veteran presence. Eleven players aged 30 or older appeared in at least 60 regular-season games for both the 2025 Oilers and 2009 Devils, according to Stathead.
The playoff roster skews even older with 12 of 19 Oilers who faced Vegas in Game 1 being 30 or older – eight forwards, three defensemen, and goaltender Calvin Pickard. Experienced players provided key secondary scoring in their latest comeback.
Edmonton erased a 2-0 deficit Tuesday when John Klingberg’s outlet pass and subsequent touches from Draisaitl and McDavid led to Corey Perry’s finish at the Vegas crease. Zach Hyman scored the go-ahead goal with three minutes remaining, firing a shot off the post after crisp passing between Klingberg, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evander Kane. Connor Brown secured the win after collecting a blocked shot and deking past Shea Theodore.
The Oilers’ fifth straight comeback victory set a new playoff record. Their two multi-goal comebacks against Los Angeles (Game 4) and Vegas (Game 1) exceed what any team accomplished during the entire 2023 or 2024 postseasons.
Resilience often defines championship teams, as theScore’s John Matisz highlighted in his recent mailbag. Several recent Stanley Cup winners, including the 2022 Avalanche and 2023 Golden Knights, consistently overcame deficits, averaging more than two comeback wins per round.
Edmonton has been outscored 20-13 through the first two periods of games but holds a commanding 17-6 advantage in third periods.
Veteran forwards have produced most of these late-game goals: Brown (3), Hyman and Mattias Janmark (2 each), with Kane, Nugent-Hopkins, Perry, and Viktor Arvidsson adding one apiece. The team has performed particularly well when Klingberg and Brett Kulak patrol the blue line.
The Oilers’ Game 1 lineup featured 18 skaters with a combined 1,258 playoff games of experience. Perry leads all active NHL players with 222 career postseason appearances.
Vegas countered with 1,240 games of playoff experience, despite missing Alex Pietrangelo (145 games) due to illness. Captain Mark Stone scored twice for the Golden Knights, redirecting a power-play goal before adding a well-placed shot. Vegas has the talent and experience to respond in Game 2.
Edmonton is building momentum. A quick series victory would allow them to celebrate Perry’s 40th birthday on May 16 – coinciding with a potential Game 6 – in memorable fashion.
Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.
