After battling back from a two-goal deficit to force extra time, Vegas Golden Knights saw Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers unravel in a flash. In a sequence that has since sparked heated debate, Viktor Arvidsson appeared to trip Brayden McNabb from behind, sending the defenseman crashing headfirst into the boards. The play went unpenalized, even as McNabb remained down on the ice.
Moments later, Connor McDavid threaded a perfect pass to Leon Draisaitl, who buried the game-winner to lift Oilers to a 5–4 victory and a 2–0 series lead. Head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t mince words postgame, directly criticizing referee Gord Dwyer for the missed infraction.
“Listen, Gord’s looking at it. He blew it. He blew the call,” Cassidy said firmly according to cbssports.com. “It’s a can-opener trip. It’s a dangerous play. It’s all those things. It didn’t get called, so you gotta keep playing.”
For Golden Knights, the timing couldn’t have been more brutal. Not only did the hit come with the game on the line—it may also cost them one of their top defensemen. McNabb’s status remains uncertain ahead of Game 3.
Stone: “Pretty clear it’s a penalty”
Mark Stone, captain of the Golden Knights, echoed his coach’s frustration and questioned the lack of a whistle on a play he deemed dangerous and deliberate. “Pretty clear it’s a penalty,” Stone said. “His stick is between McNabb’s legs. He sends him headfirst into the boards. Pretty clear-cut penalty in my eyes—I think in everybody’s eyes, right?”
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“That’s hockey. You don’t always get the call. It’s unfortunate. Now we might be down another d-man. We’ll see tomorrow.” he added.
Missed calls and missed opportunities
Earlier in overtime, Vegas successfully killed off a five-minute major after Nicolas Roy was penalized for cross-checking Trent Frederic in the mouth—a critical moment that seemed to shift momentum their way. But that momentum quickly vanished following the controversial no-call.
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For a Golden Knights team that clawed back into the contest with grit and execution, the ending was as deflating as it was contentious. Oilers, meanwhile, returns home in full control of the series, with a two-game cushion.
