‘Total domination’: Hockey world reacts to Oilers, 3, vs Golden Knights, 0, Game 4

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The Edmonton Oilers lined up against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of their Stanley Cup divisional final on Monday.

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Reaction online heated up fast. Here are the some of the highlights:

Pre-game

The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman
Oilers lines and pairings in warmups for Game 4 vs. VGK:

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Kapanen
Kane-Henrique-Brown
Frederic-Janmark-Perry
Nurse-Stecher
Kulak-Bouchard
Walman-Klingberg
Skinner
Rodrigue

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Former NHL coach and commentator Don Cherry on the Grapevine podcast (with advice to Oil Country)
Don’t panic. Don’t, don’t throw the sponge in yet.

Cult of Hockey contributor Kevin McCurdy McCurdy1987
Folks if there is ever a time to unite behind Stuart Skinner, now is that time, clearly that tweak to Pickard is a bigger deal than we thought.

Hall of Fame hockey columnist Terry Jones @byterryjones
Anybody else think tonight is THE swing game of the series and the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers?

Edmonton Oilers fan Paul Almeida @AzorcanGlobal
I’m expecting a big game from McDavid & Draisaitl tonight. I’m calling the over on a line of 4.5 points. How about you?

Vegas hockey commentator Tony Cordasco of the Locked On Vegas podcast @TonyDasco
The Oilers are 7-0 in Game 4s since 2023….

Oilers fan Taco Bella @bellathetaco
There’s nothing else to do other than rally behind Stu Skinner. He got us to the Stanley Cup final last year, and he can do it again. 🤞 We’re lucky to be this far!!! Not everyone gets to enjoy their team in the playoffs in mid May. LET’S GO OILERS 🧡💙

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Edmonton Oilers spors radio commentator Dustin Nielson @nielsonTSN1260
Nobody in this market wants to see him (Stuart Skinner) succeed, everyone hates him, it’s sad to be honest with you.

Oilers fan Brad Lauder @OILfanincowtown
I don’t care how they manage to do it tonight but …. just f*cking win, and take a stranglehold. No more half game efforts, no more soft plays, no more deferring to the corner when you’re in a grade A area… just play physical, fast, and like the season is on the line tonight.

NHL stats analyst Mike Kelly @MikeKellyNHL
Stuart Skinner starts tonight for the Oilers. Average goaltending or better will give Edmonton a good chance of winning. A look at his goals saved above expected by series. Terrific in the Conference Final vs Dallas last year – varying degrees of below expected otherwise.

Former NHLer Mike Commodore @commie22
Oilers Folks…you guys are in a GREAT spot!! No doubt. From here on out I got a new drinking game..because us Native Edmontonians aren’t scared to get #InOne. Anytime Darnell goes down on 1 knee..take a sip..when he lays out..hammer your drink.

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Oilers fan Shaun @Shaun_Chi97
Fan, how you want, why are fans telling fans how to fan? Listen, we’re not cheering our kids in Timbits here. This is big business, and a what have you done for me lately business. It’s a team that’s 10 years into getting gifted 2 of the best players in the world. We want a cup

Cult of Hockey contributor Ira Cooper @coopsie39
It’s almost as if the Oilers didn’t just win 6 plus playoff games and are not coming off a one goal loss and are not up 2-1 in a the series with the next game at home. Oilers remain in a fantastic spot.

First Period

Oilers 1, VGK, 0, Adam Henrique scores

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VGK writer The Athletic Jesse Granger @JesseGranger_
Edmonton wins a puck battle behind the Vegas net, and get it to Adam Henrique all alone in front. He crushes the one-timer into the net.

Oilers fan K-JAM @KevinJamieson86
Henrique is low-key a snipe.

Toronto sports commentator Justin Bourne @jtbourne
Connor Brown is a dawg.

The Journal’s Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl (after Hill elbows Hyman to ice at 17:12, lst)
Total double standard on Hill pushing Hyman to ice. If other way around, it is possible penalty because goalies are bubble-wrapped.

Oilers fan Waddsy 🇨🇦 @waddsy19 (after Frederic-Hague fight, Janmark tripping call, 15:24, 1st)
Stupid f*cking move by Janmark. Might put Vegas right back in this game when Edm had all the mojo. Beauty tilt though.

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Former NHL d-man Jason Demers @jasondemers5
Now this is a hockey game ! Thank you Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden knights 🙏🙏 #StanleyCupPlayoffs

Former Oiler and US hockey commentator Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
First real test for Skinner and huge save. I believe in Stu #LetsGoOilers

Boston hockey podcaster Pete Blackburn of What Chaos @PeteBlackburn
Oilers/Golden Knights after Canes/Caps is like going to the strip club straight from your nephew’s baptism

Edmonton hockey writer Jackie Bondurant JB 🇨🇦 @JackieBee_16
Kapanen is hitting EVERYTHING! 😍😍😍

Vancouver hockey commentator Jason Brough 🙁 @SadClubCommish
Going from Washington-Carolina to Edmonton-Vegas should have one of those warnings they give when there are strobe lights.

The Journal’s Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl
Hill is losing it on almost every play around the net. Hill takes swing with blocker at Kane after he falls on him

Vegas hockey commentator Ken Boehlke SinBin.vegas @SinBinVegas
VGK are a mess in the neutral zone and it’s starting by their spacing in the O-Zone. The Oilers are constantly carrying the puck out with 2-on-2 situations and tons of open ice. Not a recipe for success against this team.

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Oiler 2, Vegas 0, Adam Henriques scores again

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Former Oiler and US hockey commentator Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
What a sequence. What a goal. Henrique you legend. But how did Kane just get a charging penalty for getting cross checked from behind ?

Hockey commentator Paul Bissonnette @BizNasty2point0
Pure mayhem in Edmonton this first 20. Hill has gone nuclear. He’ll be getting the bronx cheers all night if he doesn’t get the hook.

Sportsnet’s Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SportsnetSpec
Not here to complain about one team or another…
But this new culture where goalies can do whatever they want – but skaters get two for breathing on the ‘tendy – doesn’t work for me.
They’re hockey players too.

Oilers fan D.Smith 🇨🇦🇺🇸 @DazzSmizzle
Skinner is going to make you take your words back, LT. If he turns things around starting with this game, and it ends with a Stanley, he’s staying right here in Edmonton!

National Post columnist and Oilers fan Colby Cosh @colbycosh
This Oilers game is like a gunfight between free-falling skydivers who are also on fire

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Vegas fan shea theodore’s missing tooth 🦷 @TheodoreTooth
Every advantage we have had entering this series has evaporated.
Depth? Edmontons been better
Defense? lol
Power play? Nope
League average goaltending? Negative

Oilers fan Troy @heavyoilcontry
Stu had a great period, keep building on it. We all crave a Stu Skinz heater!

Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
This ref show in Edmonton is out of control

VGK sports commentator Tony Cordasco @TonyDasco
Refs calling BS penalties on Edmonton could keep VGK around

VGK fan 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖆𝖈𝖘 ⚔️ 🏆 @MedievalManiacs
We look like jr hockey getting pushed around.. this is the kinda game Edmonton wants to play.

Second Period

Oilers 3, Vegas 0, Evander Kane scores

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WHL hockey scout Dan Tencer @dantencer
That breakout should be made into a statue. Damn was that gorgeous.

Ryan Whitney ryanwhitney6
Let Kane travel to the game in a Louis Vuitton space ship if he’s gonna play like this. Rogers Place is out of control … That was the perfect breakout. Awesome first pass by Bouchard. McDavid walks someone and fires it up for the 2 on 1. What a team

Vegas commentator Tony Cordasco @TonyDasco
I don’t know much, but I know Hill has given up a bunch of five-hole goals

Vegas fan shea theodore’s missing tooth 🦷 @TheodoreTooth
series over. and you let Evander Kane of all people end it. Pull Hill too.

Vegas hockey commentator Ken Boehlke SinBin.vegas @SinBinVegas
An exit by McDavid sends Kane in on a semi 2-on-1, McNabb goes for the sliding tactic, takes away Hill’s eyes on the puck and Kane scores it. It’s 3-0 Edmonton.

Oilers fan Allyson Wonderland @girlgoroth
AIIIIII-DENNNNNN

Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl
Kane is all over this one. Hit Whitecloud behind net to start chain reaction first Henrique goal, in Hill’s face in crease in second Henrique snipe and scores third one on shot off McNabb that changed direction

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Boston hockey commnentator Shawn Hutcheon The Fourth Period @ShawnHutcheon
Edmonton exits their zone because Vegas’ Theodore (27) executed the hated (by coaches) fly-by in the middle of the Oilers’ zone, allowing them to move the puck up ice to Kane, who scored his team’s third goal.

Oilers fan Mac-T Fan Club @Wade87847973
91’s conditioning is sooo underrated. Out alll year but he comes back with legs for days. That shift was lots of skating for him prior to that snipe and he still had juice. The guy is committed to winning folks.
He’s a bit of a loose cannon, he’s moody. And he’s a winner.

Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl (after shot block by Vassily Podkolzin)
That is how you win in playoffs with that courageous block by Podkolzin on Theodore

Oilers fan Sumit Tripathi @Sumit_Tripathi_
Man Bocuhard is so slick and so damn sick

Vegas commentator Chris Gawlik @TDChrisG
Give Knoblauch credit. He’s spun the dials and iced a winning lineup.

Vegas commentator Ryan Wallis  @RyanHockeyGuy
Nothing from Vegas offensively in that period. The Golden Knights will need something special in the third period. If they can find it.

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Hockey Night in Canada commentator Kevin Bieksa
The theme of the night is speed through the neutral zone. There’s only one way to have speed through the neutral zone. It’s a great break-out pass by the d-men. It’s the d-men, guys, up the middle, on the tape, you’re welcome… The Oilers have been really good at it.

Ryan Whitney@ryanwhitney6
If you’re a fan who has said Evan Bouchard sucks you should have to publicly apologize. What a period and game so far for the Oilers. Kapanen gives a way different look than Arvidsson.

Oilers fan Collin Capone @PokerCapone
Remember when people wanted to give Evander Kane away for cap space? He’s always stepped up in big moments. So glad they kept him.

Third Period

Dan Tencer @dantencer
Bouchard is hitting new levels of defensive game in this series and making tons of plays. Tremendous play all over the ice.

Oilers fan Waddsy 🇨🇦 @waddsy19
Stu has looked really good. Butterfly is upright. Lateral movement is controlled.
Calm between the posts. Game 4 Stu baby!

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Edmonton hockey podcaster Zach Wheel @ZWheel97
The funniest part is apparently no one wants Stuart Skinner to succeed

Vegas fan SteveMc7nelly📍 @stevemcomedy
I say we pull Hill right now and go 6 on 5, who gives a sh*t let’s see what happens!

SinBin.vegas @SinBinVegas
Must say, I was skeptical of the Draisaitl line with Podkolzin and Kapanen. VGK have really struggled under their forecheck pressure.

Jesse Granger @JesseGranger_
Cassidy pulls Hill for the extra attacker with over 4 minutes to go.

David Staples @dstaples
Loved Stecher’s vengeful hit on Howden. Loved it!!!!

Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
No better way for the Oilers to wash out the taste of that horrific Game 3 finish. A gem of a defensive team game & a solid Skinner

Oilers fan K-JAM @KevinJamieson86
Proud of the team and proud of Stuart Skinner tonight.

TSN Calgary reporter Salim Nadim Valji @salimvalji
Stuart Skinner is the only NHLer whose media scrums I purposely try to listen to…maybe the most thoughtful, introspective, and reflective player in the league. Really happy for him.

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Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer @Bob_Stauffer
Stellar performance tonight from the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner, 24 saves, 2nd career Playoff Shutout!
Support scoring: Henrique, 2 goals. Kane 4th goal of the Playoffs. D Pairings were terrific!
Kulak-Bouchard
Nurse-Stecher
Walman-Klingberg

Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
Complete domination. Another win with our depth. The Let’s Go Oilers chant is deafening. Pink Pony Club is now rocking at Rogers. All the questions going into tonight and they dominated Vegas. Let’s crush their souls in their building on Wednesday night as payback for 2023.

Oilers fan Dreamer-29-97-93 @Dreamer29_97_93
Stuart skinner silences his critics near and far!! Great job Stu! Message received!

Vegas hockey writer Danny Webster @DannyWebster21
Absolute domination from Edmonton from the jump. Knights had no answer from the suffocating play, the physicality. Nothing. Season now on the brink. Oilers can close it out on Wednesday.

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Oilers fan Brad Lauder @OILfanincowtown
What a win, and atta boy Skinner that’s what we need to see from him… better late than never

ESPN hockey writer Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski
A player who was on LTIR in Game 82 returning have a goal and assist against Vegas in a critical playoff game.

Vegas fan Karlo @Sumdood88
Imagine getting shut out by Stu Skinner…

Vegas hockey commentator Ken Boehlke of SinBin.vegas @SinBinVegas
3 takeaways from the game…
1) Edmonton pushed back, VGK crumbled beneath it. They better have the ultimate response over the next six days.
2) Adin Hill was a big reason the game had such a spike in intensity. Whether it was premeditated or not, it didn’t work. Can’t ever truly fault the goalie when the skaters don’t score, but the VGK goalie advantage in this series has not paid off like it needs to.
3) Game 3: Roy, Smith, Smith. Game 4: Henrique, Henrique, Kane. Depth in this series is so important and VGK are losing the battle… badly.

Edmonton sports radio commentator Reid Wilkins @ReidWilkins
Oilers throttled Vegas in the first then put it away with a thorough and responsible game. Skinner was there when needed.

Ira Cooper OriginalPouzar @coopsie39
What a wonderful performance by the Oilers.
But for the last 10 minutes where the Knights put on a push (that was clearly never going to be enough), the Oilers had full control of this game from start to finish – they defended VERY well during that push as well.

Kevin McCurdy @McCurdy1987
Never. In. Doubt.

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