Player grades: Unsung Oiler is OT hero, Edmonton Oilers, 1, Vegas Golden Knights, 0
What does championship defense look like?
Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman demonstrate. pic.twitter.com/JEwb8n74wZ
— David Staples (@dstaples) May 15, 2025
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. Snapped a slot shot from inside home plate early on but hit post, not net. Chipped it up for McD's third period break-in shot. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST +0/-0.
Zach Hyman, 7. Worked his heart out, like he's done consistently in the playoffs. Came out like a drillbit slamming and shattering hardrock. Excellent backcheck with McD on Olofsson early on. Solid hit on McNab in the second. He set up Drai's early third period break in. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-1
Leon Draisaitl, 7. High event game. Beauty pass in OT. Some defensive miscues. A big ragged and lacking in danger on two early Oilers power plays. Where has his Executioner's Shot gone? He broke up a rush in the second, then rushed up ice to help on a Grade A shot. He broke in hard on a breakaway but could not beat Hill early in the third. A moment later he broke in again but failed to get it on net. GAS: ES +6/-3; ST +0/-0.
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