LAS VEGAS — A slashing penalty within the first interval and a retaliatory cross verify within the second not solely despatched Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson to the penalty field twice, however resulted in a dialog with coach Bruce Cassidy within the second intermission.
“Let’s not let our egos get in the way of having success,” Cassidy informed Stephenson. “It’s playoffs. You deal with it.”
He did simply that. Stephenson jumped on a rebound 1:12 into additional time and hit the again of the web to finish a rally and provides the Golden Knights a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Sunday and a 2-0 lead within the Western Conference Final.
Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone every had a purpose and an help for Vegas, and Adin Hill saved 26 pictures.
Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson every scored for the Stars, and Ryan Suter had two assists. Jake Oettinger made 21 saves.
Game 3 is Tuesday in Dallas.
Teams which have gained the primary two video games within the sequence previous the Stanley Cup Final have superior 91% of the time, one of many few instances the chances have been within the Knights’ favor. They have gone towards the same old paths to victory through the NHL playoffs by going 7-3 when the opponent scores first and posting eight comeback wins.
Dallas led 1-0 and 2-1 earlier than Marchessault compelled additional time with a shot from the slot with simply 2:22 left within the third interval. He banged residence the purpose after a sensational no-look go from Jack Eichel, who took benefit of a turnover by Suter.
“After that, it was like, ‘All right we’re back in this,’ and I think we have that belief that we’re not going to lose,” Stephenson stated.
The Stars have discovered additional time to be a no-win proposition. They are 0-4 in OT video games this postseason, the fifth staff to lose that many. All 4 video games of the convention finals have gone to additional time, the primary time in NHL historical past that has occurred.
“I thought we did a bunch of really good things, fixed a lot of things from Game 1,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer stated. “I thought Jack Eichel and Marchessault make a big-time play there to tie it, and we respond. Our chance in overtime was as good or better than theirs. We’ve just got to stick it in the net.”
Each staff took benefit of funky bounces to attain within the first interval.
Heiskanen scored simply 2:47 into the sport for the Stars, the puck hopping over Hill. Vegas evened the rating at 10:08 when the puck went off Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell’s skate and Stone buried the 5-on-3 power-play purpose that got here off an traditional double penalty on the Stars – their solely two infractions.
Robertson scored for the second sport in a row when he knocked in a rebound on an influence play at 9:21 of the second interval to place Dallas again in entrance at 2-1. That purpose rewarded a Stars defensive effort that allowed simply 10 pictures on purpose via the primary two durations.
The Knights, nonetheless, picked up the stress within the third interval with 12 pictures on purpose, compelled additional time after which gained it shortly within the further session.
Stephenson capped what had been a tough day with a shot he’ll lengthy bear in mind.
“I obviously need to keep my emotions a little more in check,” Stephenson stated. “You never want to give a team with a good power play two good opportunities. It was nice to finish it off with that.”
BEST KNIGHTS TEAM?
The Knights are two victories from making their second Stanley Cup Final. Their different journey was within the Knights’ historic first season in 2018, and 6 gamers stay from the staff generally known as the Golden Misfits.
“This year we have the best team we’ve ever had, not only on paper but the way we play,” stated Marchessault, one of many Misfits. “I think that’s the biggest thing right now.”
The Knights have come near returning to the championship spherical, twice making the semifinals. They additionally nonetheless are chasing the primary title, having misplaced the 2018 Cup Final in 5 video games to Washington.
“I think it slipped away from us that year,” Marchessault stated. “I don’t want to think too far ahead. Right now, my head is in Game 3 in Dallas, and we’ll take it from there.”
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