Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is seen on the players bench during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/db6e5509-078e-409b-8095-7038c6d7cc13.jpeg] Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is seen on the players bench during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images It's been a poor display by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the playoffs, and now they find themselves on the brink of elimination, trailing the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in the series. Heading into Game 5 at home, coach Bruce Cassidy wants his players to play their game and give everything they've got. "This has got to be something you embrace if you expect to be the last team standing... It's on. Show up and put your best foot forward and see what happens," said Cassidy about this series. Video courtesy of Vince Sapienza Cassidy previously mentioned that with all due respect to the other six teams in the division, he believes the Golden Knights and the Oilers are the two "kings" of the division. The previous two seasons indicate that he is correct. The Oilers were the final Western Conference team standing last season, and the year prior, it was the Golden Knights. Once again, the final two Pacific Division teams are the Golden Knights and the Oilers. The key difference between the two teams this season is that the Oilers have embraced a step-on-their-throat mentality, something the Golden Knights have uncharacteristically lacked this postseason. The Golden Knights went up 2-0 in Game 1 but took their foot off the gas and allowed the Oilers to steal Game 1 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-take-their-foot-off-the-gas-costs-them-in-game-1]. With momentum on their side, the Oilers found another way to pull out an overtime win [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/pretty-clear-its-a-penalty-golden-knights-livid-with-no-call-in-game-2-overtime-loss]. The Golden Knights scored a clutch last-second winner in Game 3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/3-takeaways-reilly-smiths-goal-with-04-seconds-left-lifts-golden-knights-to-4-3-victory-over-edmonton-in-game-3], but Game 4 was once again all Oilers. They took an early lead and shut out the Golden Knights, outshooting them 32-23. Working their way back into the series with the mindset the Oilers have developed will be difficult, but the Golden Knights don't have any other option than to put their head down and find a way to get positive results. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
