Edmonton coach Ken Hitchcock said that to be successful in the NHL’s Western Conference, teams must be prepared to play when the score is close in the third period.
He cited the Golden Knights — in town to play the Oilers — as an example of an experienced team that rarely makes a mistake when it has the opportunity to get two points.
Never mind that the Oilers won 2-1 that December night on a third-period goal after a Knights turnover. The month-old anecdote actually is relevant.
The Knights have outscored their past five opponents 8-0 in the third period and owe their five-game win streak to their play late in games.