Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore finds rhythm at proper time to begin Stanley Cup Final

LAS VEGAS — Without a aim all playoffs, Shea Theodore discovered the web simply when the Vegas Golden Knights wanted it.

With Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final tied at 1 halfway by way of the second interval, Theodore took a go at one aspect of the blue line, skated to the opposite aspect, circled again to dangle Florida Panthers ahead Anthony Duclair and transfer into the slot earlier than firing a wrist shot previous Sergei Bobrovsky.

It was classic Theodore. And it got here at a important juncture.

Theodore’s aim ignited the gang and, extra importantly, his group. He additionally had an help in Vegas’ series-opening 5-2 victory Saturday night time, which was one thing of a present of redemption for the 27-year-old defenseman.

“He’s one of our best players,” Vegas teammate Jonathan Marchessault mentioned. “You need 20 guys every night to win at that time of the year and tonight was a good team effort and Shea took over today. He’s one of those guys that stepped up tonight and definitely happy to see him on the board.”

Theodore snapped a 27-game scoring drought courting to March 7, coincidentally additionally towards Florida. He has 15 profession playoff targets.

“I feel good about it, but right now it’s all about the next game and getting that next one,” Theodore mentioned. “I feel like a lot of us felt more comfortable tonight. It kind of showed in our game the way we attacked and the way we stayed out of scrums and I guess the score sheet as well.”

For Theodore, although, it was a coming-out social gathering on the proper time, as he didn’t essentially appear like himself by way of the primary three rounds. If something, he’d regarded like what he was describing all week when talking about Vegas when it misplaced within the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, saying the Knights appeared overwhelmed in what was a magical run of their inaugural season.

Coming into the Cup Final, he had seven assists and was averaging only one shot each 12 shifts.

Saturday he averaged at the least one shot each eight shifts. He was among the many greatest Vegas gamers in shot makes an attempt for, in comparison with these given as much as the Panthers.

“Shea’s a huge part of our group,” Vegas ahead Jack Eichel mentioned. “It was good to see him get rewarded there, however he’s been doing so many different issues for us and the way in which that he transports the puck up the ice, he generally is a one-man breakout at instances. He does a lot for our group.