Oilers vs. Golden Knights expert picks, odds: Can Connor McDavid help Oilers avoid elimination on Sunday?

The Vegas Golden Knights can clinch their third trip to the Western Conference final in the last four seasons with a win in Game 6 Sunday in Edmonton. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers stand in their way.

Vegas dominated the second period in a Game 5 victory at home and turned a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead by scoring three goals in 89 seconds. It was another disastrous timeframe that doomed the Oilers which must now face elimination at home. Vegas also only allowed one goal in a five minute penalty kill to one of the best power plays in NHL history in Game 5.

Both Alex Pietrangelo and Darnell Nurse will return to the lineups after missing Game 5 due to one-game suspensions.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NHL coverage is linked below the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and update live. Looking for tickets for tonight’s game? Find deals on StubHub.

Game 6 – Golden Knights at Oilers

Vegas leads 3-2

10 p.m. on ESPN, SN, CBC

McDavid scored two goals and played 25 minutes in this huge Game 5 effort, but still it wasn’t enough for the Oilers to overcome those 89 seconds when they lost control of the game.

Stuart Skinner continues to underwhelm in net for the Oilers. He’s been pulled twice in the last three games and it makes you wonder if the Oilers will turn to Jack Campbell in net for Game 6 on home ice.

Vegas backup Adin Hill continues to do more than enough for the Knights to advance to the Western Conference final with Laurent Brossoit still day-to-day with an injury. The Knights started five different goalies this year due to injuries and all five had a save percentage over .900 so whatever Vegas is doing in front of its goalies seems to work.

Edmonton is Canada’s last hope at winning a Stanley Cup this year, and if it is eliminated on Sunday night, it will be 30 years since a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. The Canadiens are the last team to win in 1993.