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SinBin.vegas - Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website
Recap: Game 2 began with several quality chances for Dallas, but Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson kept his composure and held the game scoreless through most of the period. With under three minutes remaining in the opening frame the Stars took a 1-0 advantage. The lead wouldn’t hold as Jonathan Marchessault tied the game before the first intermission.
The game locked down in the middle frame with only 15 total shots on net. With :67 seconds left in the period Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin wristed the puck into Dallas’ net for their first lead of the game.
Vegas came out firing in the opening ten minutes of the final frame. The Golden Knights launched eight shots in the first half of the period and controlled play in the second half. The reigning Stanley Cup champions locked down and finished off the Stars 3-1 in Game 2.
The Golden Knights take a 2-0 series lead by defeating the Stars 3-1 in Game 2. The series will now shift to Vegas for Game’s 3 and 4. Puck drop for Game 3 is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Saturday night. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The Golden Knights entered this series with a very specific plan against an opponent they know well. They wanted to keep their structure defensively and limit transition chances from the Stars. Through two games, they’ve done exactly that and they’ve completely taken the air out of the 3rd best scoring team in the league. VGK are making the Stars look hapless offensively. It’s been impressive. The Golden Knights are coming home with a 2 game advantage. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.
The Golden Knights’ new look power play with everyone in the lineup had instant success in Game 1. They struck for the first goal of the game less than a minute into the early opportunity on a penalty drawn by the 4th line, and then potted another just three seconds into their second opportunity late in the period.
Two goals in exactly 60 seconds of time with the man-advantage is not something the Golden Knights are used to. With Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, and Noah Hanifin all back in the lineup, for the first time in a long time Vegas has two bonafide top units.
PP Unit 1 Hertl Eichel-Stone-Stephenson Hanifin
PP Unit 2 Roy Barbashev-Karlsson-Marchessault Theodore
The 2nd unit, I mean those guys were our 1st unit for a long time and they’re no slouches either. -Cassidy
It’s the first unit though that got the job done in Game 1, and it’s been especially strong since #48 has entered the lineup.
Look at our power play numbers compared to where they’ve been all year. They’ve been through the roof with Hertl. Hanifin has been getting pucks there too which helps. It could be a short sample size but I believe (getting to the net) is one of Hertl’s best skills sets and it’s particularly evident on the power play. -Cassidy
In case you needed one, the Golden Knights reminded us on Monday night that they really enjoy blocking shots. They finished 3rd in the NHL this season with 1,506 blocks and got right back to it in Game 1.
The Golden Knights blocked 0 shots in the 1st period. They blocked 20 in the 2nd and 3rd combined.
That's how you earn the first road Game 1 victory in team history.
Game 1 game-winning goal scorer Brayden McNabb nearly set a record for the most blocks by a Golden Knight in a playoff game with 8 (Alec Martinez had 9 in Game 6 vs COL). William Karlsson and Nic Roy lead all forwards with two blocks a piece and eight different Golden Knights registered at least one blocked shot.
Blocked Shots In Playoffs Since 2018
Vegas: 1,637 (89 Games)
Tampa: 1,600 (99 Games)
Dallas: 1,192 (67 Games)
Boston: 1,189 (76 Games)
Colorado: 1,138 (71 Games)
Since the 2018 postseason, the Golden Knights lead all franchises in blocked shots and blocked shots per game. Reserve defenseman Alec Martinez is second in the NHL in playoff blocked shots (194) since the 2018 postseason. McNabb is just behind him (192) and will likely pass Martinez tonight in Game 2. Fellow blueliners Alex Pietrangelo is fifth (173) and rounding out the Top 15 is Shea Theodore (129) and Zach Whitecloud (124) since the 2018 playoffs. All have raised the Stanley Cup, multiple times for some.
Vegas even added to their historical team average in Monday’s 4-3 Game 1 victory.
Blocked Shots Per Playoff Game Since 2018
Vegas: 17.76
NYI: 17.58
NAS: 17.26
DAL: 17.02
NYR: 16.48
Even though they know it’s coming, the Stars will likely struggle finding shooting lanes tonight. Plus, once frustration sets in, Pete DeBoer’s team won’t be able to stop themselves. Dallas will take inaccurate, ill advised shots down the wing and from the point allowing Vegas to simply absorb the puck and quickly exit the zone. This isn’t the first time we’ve followed a Pete DeBoer coached team.
When shots can’t make it through to the net, the more annoying it can get for an offensively gifted team that relies on creating havoc in front of the goal like the Stars.
Of course, blocking shots can lead to injuries, obstructed goaltenders, or unlucky bounces so there’s no guarantee it’ll go as swimmingly for VGK in Game 2 ad it did Game 1 (and most of last year’s WCF). But, that’s not going to stop the Golden Knights. It was a large part of the championship success last season and continues to be in 2024. After all, Stanley Cup winning Golden Knights declared last summer ‘It Hurts To Win.” We’re still waiting for the new slogan, but the old one isn’t going away any time soon.
For the first time in a long time, the Golden Knights looked like the real Golden Knights while protecting a lead. At their best, as they were en route to winning 16 of 22 playoff games a year ago and hoisting the Stanley Cup, Vegas is a lockdown defensive team that makes it impossible on opponents to generate scoring chances. This regular season though, they never quite returned to being that style of team with any consistency.
In the 1st period, the struggles continued. Despite having a keen understanding on exactly what the Dallas Stars are trying to accomplish, VGK couldn’t quite settle in defensively early.
The goals that we let in, that’s part of their strength. It was rush goals. It’s just being aware and being on top of certain guys. It’s something that we can fix next game, being aware of who we’re up against on the ice. There’s a reason why they’re first in the league on rush chances. It’s up to us to be aware and be above everybody. When they miss their chances, we know we have to bring it up quick. It’s on wingers and centers to show early options and be able to transition quick. -Jonathan Marchessault
Dallas generated five high-danger chances at 5-on-5 in the 1st period, scored two goals that counted and another that was ruled off by an offside challenge.
The good news for the Golden Knights was that they were able to exit that period with the lead and eventually extend it early in the 2nd. That allowed them to get back to their true identity that made them a Stanley Cup champion, which is defending.
They’re as advertised. A good team, obviously the additions make a difference for them for sure. If you’re going to knock off the Stanley Cup Champions, then you’re going to have to bring your A-game every night. Tonight, we did some decent things and did some things well, but we were chasing the game the whole night from the first shot of the game on. Tough to play from behind against that team. You can’t chase the game the whole series. We were chasing the game all night, and we’ve got to fix that going forward. -DeBoer
The Golden Knights generated just five shots in 39 minutes of hockey after they grabbed a 4-2 lead, but they were able to make the lead hold up due to their defending.
Recap: The Golden Knights didn’t wait long in Dallas to begin their Stanley Cup championship defense. Nic Roy drew a penalty in the opening :30 seconds of the playoffs setting up for Vegas’ first goal. Subsequently, in his first game back since February, captain Mark Stone gave the reigning champions a 1-0 advantage. Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas a two goal lead at the 8:27 mark of the opening period. Dallas cut the lead in half but newly acquired Tomas Hertl scored the Golden Knights second power play goal of the game. The Stars scored late in the period to keep within one.
Leading 3-2, the Golden Knights quickly came out to start the middle frame. Brayden McNabb ripped a puck from the blueline and regained Vegas’ two goal advantage. Dallas battled towards the end of the period but Logan Thompson was able to fight off the Stars attack.
Midway through the final frame the Stars beat Thompson to cut the Golden Knights lead to 4-3. Vegas did a great job down the stretch of blocking shots and steering Dallas wide. It was a full team effort to seal Game 1.
The Golden Knights take a 1-0 series lead with their 5-4 Game 1 victory over the Stars. Both teams will resume their seven-game series in Dallas on Wednesday night. Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: This was not exactly VGK’s most impressive playoff game. The 1st period was a wild back and forth contest that was highlighted by the Golden Knights’ power play. They got a couple other chances off the rush and buried one. From there, a nice minute to start the 2nd extended the lead to two goals for the third time. There was very little by way of attack the rest of the way. They were solid though defensively, especially in the 3rd period. Not sure that’s the way to beat this team four times in seven games, (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.
The names, logos, and jerseys of the team are the same, but if the Golden Knights want to defeat the Dallas Stars once again in the postseason this year they are going to have to do it against a much different team.
Of course, both Vegas and Dallas have many of the same pivotal pieces to the lineup. From Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Alex Pietrangelo in gold to Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Miro Heiskanen in green the guys that drive the bus remain. As you peer down each lineup though, there are significant differences, that will likely determine the outcome of the series.
Vegas showed they were a deeper team than everybody in the league last year. Everyone they went through I thought their depth decided the series. You could point to a technical thing here or a technical thing there but that’s the reality. And the times I’ve lost in the Conference Final, every time it’s been to a deeper team. I think we’ve rectified that and we’re on a much more level playing field this year. -Pete DeBoer, DAL head coach
Dallas has taken strides in bolstering their lineup both by adding veterans via trade and free agency and by getting much larger contributions from younger players in the lineup.
Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas
At the trade deadline, GM Jim Nill acquired Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames which has gone a long way to balancing a defense unit that struggled with the powerful Golden Knights a year ago. Tanev slots in on the 2nd pair with fellow defense-first defenseman Esa Lindell to make as strong a pair defensively as you’ll find in the NHL. Couple that with 22-year-old Thomas Harley advancing his role from a 15-minute-a-night sheltered defenseman to a 22-minute per-night bonafide 1B to Heiskanen and the Stars look much more well-rounded on the back end. Still though, admittedly, not quite to the level of their opponents in this series.
I don’t think anyone can compete with Vegas’ defense, depth-wise. That’s something pretty special. But everybody has their strengths and weaknesses and we might have better depth other places. -DeBoer, DAL coach
Just before the horn sounded on an active 1st period offensively for both teams, a bad hop along the wall in the Vegas defensive zone helped Dallas get on the board first in the series. The Golden Knights struck back midway through the 2nd with a shot from the point that went off the back wall and directly onto William Karlsson’s stick. Karlsson gave Vegas the lead early in the 3rd when he pounced on a loose puck in the slot and fired one clean past Jake Oettinger. Dallas would level the score but a classic 4th line drive to the goal created a loose puck on the doorstep and Teddy Blueger slammed it home. Jamie Benn tied the game with the Dallas net empty which sent the game to overtime. Just two minutes into OT, Chandler Stephenson’s excellent zone entry set up a wonderful chance for Mark Stone. His shot was stopped, but Brett Howden worked to get the puck back and threw a shot at the net from below the goal line that pinballed across the line.
It was a great start to the series for the Golden Knights as they controlled play for most of the game, dominated at both blue lines, and had the lion’s share of the chances. It took a little longer than expected to get across the line, but they eventually got there.
The Stars struck first in Game 2 as well when a long-range shot hit a Golden Knight in front of the goal and hopped over Adin Hill. A two-man advantage helped Vegas tie the score later in the 1st as a failed cross-ice pass ended up on Mark Stone’s stick right in front of the net. Jason Robertson’s second goal of the series put the Stars back on top. Vegas managed just 10 shots on goal through the first two periods and entered the 3rd down a goal. Moments before pulling the goalie, Jack Eichel set up Jonathan Marchessault with an incredible no-look pass that tied the game and sent it to OT once again. Just over a minute into overtime Chandler Stephenson collected a rebound with a perfectly timed drive to the net to poke home the game-winner and give VGK the 2-0 series lead.
This game was much more leaning in Dallas’ favor but the Golden Knights were still able to generate plenty of offense by causing Stars turnovers. Hill came up huge and Mr. Clutch, Jonathan Marchessault, was there to save the day before the clock struck midnight.
On their first shift of the game, Jack Eichel fed another slick pass to Jonathan Marchessault to give the Golden Knights the lead very early in the 1st. Not even a minute later, Jamie Benn visciously cross-checked Mark Stone and was assessed a major penalty and eventually a two-game suspension. The Stars looked like they might kill the five minutes off and even had a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush. But seconds later, Nic Roy fed Ivan Barbashev for a power play goal that demoralized Dallas less than six minutes in. William Carrier extended the lead with a backhand shot Oettinger whiffed on. The Stars would pepper Adin Hill with shots but they never could solve him and Vegas would go on to win 4-0 thanks to another power play goal.
Benn led with a foolish penalty that put his team in a hole and the Stars followed. For the third straight series, the Golden Knights had broken their opponents’ will, and it was just a matter of time before VGK punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
Looking for the sweep, the Golden Knights wasted no time getting on the board again in Game 4 as Karlsson poked home a Reilly Smith shot-pass to put VGK up 1-0 inside five minutes. Another Jason Robertson power play tally would tie it late in the 1st. Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas the lead back scoring a one-timer off a great feed from Brayden McNabb. The Stars tied it in the 2nd and continued to generate chances in the 3rd, but Vegas held strong to send the game to overtime for the 3rd time in four games. This one ended quickly in OT as well but with the Stars’ Joel Pavelski delivering the dagger this time around.
It’s never easy to sweep and team and the Stars proved it in Game 4. Vegas scored first and could have run away with it, but Dallas never went away and eventually eeked one out in the extra frame.
Midway through the 1st period, Jack Eichel created havoc on the forecheck allowing Ivan Barbashev to pick the puck up, drive the net, and slot it home to give the Golden Knights a lead. Dallas evened it with a spray-and-pray goal but Chandler Stephenson gave Vegas the lead back early in the 2nd. It wouldn’t last long as Jason Robertson continued his torrid pace tying the game. Adin Hill was beat for one of the only soft goals he allowed the entire postseason to give the Stars a 3-2 advantage which they would extend and walk out of T-Mobile Arena with the win.
The worst game of the series for VGK started well but went downhill as it went on. Hill bailed them out time and time again but couldn’t do it long enough to secure the series win on that day.
Enough was finally enough for the Golden Knights as they took Game 6 by the scruff of the neck and would not be denied their trip to the Final. Vegas were all over the Stars from the moment the puck dropped. Goals by William Carrier, William Karlsson, and Keegan Kolesar built up the 1st period lead and the Golden Knights never stopped.
When all was said and done, it was a 6-0 victory and Vegas had punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
Recap: Game 2 began with several quality chances for Dallas, but Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson kept his composure and held the game scoreless through most of the period. With under three minutes remaining in the opening frame the Stars took a 1-0 advantage. The lead wouldn’t hold as Jonathan Marchessault tied the game before the first intermission.
(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
