The Vegas Golden Knights entered the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs riding a wave of momentum that carried them to the top seed in the Western Conference standings. Vegas went 22-4-5 following the All-Star break and secured home-ice advantage through at least the first three rounds.
Despite using a five-man goalie rotation and experiencing a plethora of injuries to key players, the Golden Knights wrapped up the 2022-23 regular season as the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time after going 51-22-9 and earning a franchise-best 111 points in the 2022-23 regular season.
The Golden Knights won meaningful games and showed up in big moments in the final 31 games of the regular season; they got complete efforts with contributions from up and down the lineup and lights-out goaltending.
All they had to do was stick to the game plan as they embarked on their fifth postseason run in six seasons.
Jump to Round 2: Vegas vs. Edmonton
Jump to Round 3: Vegas vs. Dallas
ROUND 1: VEGAS vs. WINNIPEG
Though Winnipeg was the No. 8 seed, the Jets were a top contender in the first half of the season. At the outset, this series was considered relatively evenly-matched, at least on paper. That’s largely due to the elite play of Jets starting netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who finished tied for first in the NHL with 37 wins on the year. The Golden Knights were turning to their third-string goalie in Laurent Brossoit, giving the edge to the Jets. At least on paper.
Both goalies were hot coming into the matchup. Brossoit posted the best numbers among Vegas goalies during the regular season, going 7-0-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .927 save percentage; he did not record a single regulation loss in 11 appearances. Brossoit gave up a total of four goals in his final three starts, with a 5-2 win against Los Angeles and back-to-back wins (4-1, 3-1) against Seattle.
Hellebuyck, meanwhile, went 37-25-2, recording a 2.49 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and four shutouts. He finished the season with wins in five of his last six starts – giving up just nine goals in that stretch – and he surrendered three or fewer goals in every game in the final month of the regular season.
This was the second all-time postseason meeting between these clubs after they went head-to-head in the Western Conference Final in 2018. Ironically, the two series played out remarkably similarly, with Winnipeg taking Game 1 and the Golden Knights answering with four consecutive wins. Vegas was the only team that was able to eliminate its first-round opponent in five games.
Game 1 – Rough start
Jets 5, Golden Knights 1
The Golden Knights got a massive boost ahead of Game 1 with the return of captain Mark Stone, who had been out of the lineup since suffering a back injury Jan. 12 against Florida. Rearguard Zach Whitecloud also returned to the lineup.
Notably, it was the first playoff game of Jack Eichel’s career, but it was a rough night for Eichel and his teammates against a Jets team that outworked, outhustled and outplayed the Golden Knights.
After a scoreless opening frame, the Jets scored twice in 62 seconds early in the second period and had all the momentum until William Karlsson finally broke through in the final five minutes of the period. However, it would prove to be the lone Vegas goal of the evening.
The Jets scored less than four minutes into the third and added two late goals to seal the win. Vegas recorded a season-low 17 shots on goal and was held to just two in the final frame (one of which didn’t come until the 18:17 mark).
The Golden Knights went 0-for-3 on the power play, with two of those failed opportunities coming at critical moments in the game. Brossoit stopped 26 of 30 shots for an .867 save percentage, while Hellebuyck was barely tested and came away with 16 saves and a .941 save percentage.
Winnipeg leads series 1-0
Vegas goals: Karlsson (1)
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Game 2 – An “expressive” win
Golden Knights 5, Jets 2
To say the Golden Knights rebounded in Game 2 would be an understatement.
Nine different players found the scoresheet, five recorded multi-point efforts (Stone, Karlsson, Chandler Stephenson, Phil Kessel and Alex Pietrangelo) and 16 of 18 fired at least one shot on goal one game after Vegas managed just 17 total.
The Golden Knights gave up the first goal for the second game in a row, and Brossoit had to be sharp early as he faced 17 shots in the opening frame alone. But Vegas eventually found its footing, and Stone led the charge with a three-point performance in the third period.
For the second game in a row, it was Karlsson who got Vegas on the board first when he evened things up just under six minutes into the second. The goal was a good example of the team-wide effort Vegas put forth to reset the series.
Eichel then scored his first career playoff goal to make it 2-1 midway through the second, but both teams entered the third with two goals apiece. Stephenson scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal 5:37 into the final frame. After assisting on the go-ahead, Stone added two “expressive” tallies to give Vegas the 5-2 win.
Hellebuyck was excellent early, but Brossoit outdueled his former teammate, stopping 31 of 33 for a .939 save percentage in his first career playoff win.
Series tied 1-1
Vegas goals: Karlsson (2), Eichel (1), Stephenson (1), Stone (1), Stone (2)
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Game 3 – Close call
Golden Knights 5, Jets 4 (2OT)
The Golden Knights took their first 1-0 lead of the series when Stone sprung Stephenson less than three minutes into Vegas’ first road game of the playoffs. Eichel scored twice on the power play, and Keegan Kolesar added to the lead late in the middle frame to make it 4-1.
However, the Golden Knights blew that three-goal lead in the third period, giving up the equalizer with just 22 seconds left in regulation.
Vegas had a power play in both overtime periods but failed to convert. But shortly after the second expired, the forecheck went to work and forced a turnover, and Vegas capitalized on the ensuing chance. An errant pass hit Ivan Barbashev’s skate and came to Michael Amadio in the slot. Amadio made no mistake, wiring it past Hellebuyck 3:40 into double overtime for his first career playoff goal.
Eichel had one of his best games as a member of the Golden Knights, and Pietrangelo played a team-high 34:30 in the critical recovery effort.
The Jets lost defenseman Josh Morrissey in the first period; he was later ruled out for the rest of the series.
Vegas leads series 2-1
Vegas goals: Stephenson (2), Eichel (2-PPG), Eichel (3-PPG), Kolesar (1), Amadio (1)
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Game 4 – “You’re a backup”
Golden Knights 4, Jets 2
Though the Jets scored first for the third time in four games, Brett Howden scored his first career playoff tally to even things up midway through the first. The turning point in the game came when Vegas lit the lamp twice in the span of just 47 seconds in the second period. First, it was Karlsson; then, following a give-and-go exchange between Brayden McNabb and Barbashev, Barbashev got a piece of a Shea Theodore shot for his first goal of the series. The goal proved to be the game-winner.
But Vegas’ effort in the third is what made the true difference in the game.
Pierre-Luc DuBois scored a wacky goal that was upheld upon review, bringing the Jets within one three minutes into the third. For the second game in a row, the Golden Knights held a one-goal lead late in the contest; this time, however, Howden iced the win for Vegas with an empty-netter with 17 seconds remaining, giving Vegas a 3-1 series lead with back-to-back wins in Winnipeg.
Brossoit turned aside 24 of 26 shots for a .932 save percentage. For his troubles, he was serenaded by his former fanbase with chants of “You’re a backup.”
Stephenson recorded his third straight multi-point effort.
Despite losing Mark Scheifele to injury in the first, Winnipeg was a formidable opponent until the final buzzer, but the Jets found themselves on the brink of elimination as the series shifted back to Vegas.
Vegas leads series 3-1
Vegas goals: Howden (1), Karlsson (3), Barbashev (1), Howden (2)
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Game 5 – Series clinched
Golden Knights 4, Jets 1
The Golden Knights saved their best performance for last, as Vegas was dominant in a closeout Game 5 matchup to wrap up the series and advance to the second round.
Ben Hutton and Brayden Pachal made their playoff debuts in place of Theodore (illness) and McNabb (day-to-day), and William Carrier returned to the lineup for the first time since March 3. Kessel served as a healthy scratch for the first time since 2009; he did not return to the lineup for the rest of the run.
The Golden Knights took control early, with captain Stone leading the way. He set up Stephenson for an easy redirect just 50 seconds into the game.
Stone then netted a goal of his own in the opening minute of the second period; it was a highlight-reel play, and it proved to be the game-winning and series-clinching goal.
Stone knocked an airborne puck to his glove and then his stick before beating Hellebuyck just 42 seconds into the middle frame to give Vegas a 2-0 lead.
Karlsson put Vegas up by three just under four minutes later. Winnipeg had a glorious chance to make it a two-goal game, but Brossoit came up with a massive save to preserve the lead.
His teammates rewarded him with a power-play strike four minutes later, giving Vegas a 4-0 cushion just 8:37 into the second.
The Jets pulled Hellebuyck with 8:18 to go in the third and scored on the ensuing 6-on-5, making it a 4-1 game with 5:38 remaining. Winnipeg scored again, but the goal was reversed after a Vegas challenge for a missed stoppage; it looked like it may have been Stephenson, not Blake Wheeler, who moved the puck with his glove, but the challenge was successful, and the goal did not stand. In the end, Winnipeg held a 17-2 lead in shots in the third period, but the Golden Knights had already done more than enough to send the Jets packing.
Stephenson recorded his fourth straight multi-point game; he and Stone combined for three goals and five points. Brossoit made 30 saves on 31 shots for a .968 save percentage in an elimination game against his former team; it marked the first playoff series win of his career.
Vegas wins series 4-1
Vegas goals: Stephenson (3), Stone (3), Karlsson (4), Stephenson (4-PPG)
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Round 1 – By the numbers
Leading scorers: Stephenson (4-4–8), Stone (3-5–8), Karlsson (4-1–5), Eichel (3-2–5), Pietrangelo (0-5–5)
Goalie stats: Brossoit (5 starts): 4-1, 2.42 GAA, .915 SV%
Power play: 18.8 percent (rank: 10/16)
Penalty kill: 58.3 percent (rank: 15/16)
Record split: 2-1 at home, 2-0 on the road
ROUND 2: VEGAS vs. EDMONTON
The second round saw the top two teams in the Western Conference, separated by just two points in the final standings, go head-to-head in the playoffs for the first time in Vegas’ six seasons.
It also marked the first postseason matchup between Connor McDavid and Eichel, the first and second overall picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Prior to the series, the Golden Knights had an all-time record of 8-9-2 against Edmonton, though Vegas had gone 2-5-1 in the previous eight meetings, including 1-2-1 during the 2022-23 regular season.
Most people had McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers as the favorite. After all, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl led the NHL in scoring and are two of the most dynamic players in the game. Goaltending was somewhat of a wash with inexperienced netminders on both sides, though Brossoit came into the matchup (against his other former team, ironically) playing the best hockey of his career. But he didn’t have the name recognition – nor did his eventual replacement, Adin Hill – and Edmonton’s tandem of Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell struggled mightily in the regular season. Overall, the Oilers had the edge offensively, while Vegas was better defensively and had more depth.
Going into it, the key to the matchup was going to be special teams, which proved to be true. The Oilers had a juggernaut of a power play that clicked at a 32.4 percent rate, making it the best regular-season power play of all time. In their first-round matchup against Los Angeles, the Oilers scored nine goals on 16 power plays for a staggering 56.3 percent conversion rate. The likes of McDavid and Draisaitl were going to be incredibly difficult to slow down; giving them time and space on the man-advantage wasn’t going to end well. That’s especially true since the Vegas penalty kill struggled against Winnipeg, yielding five goals on 12 opportunities in the first round.
A Pacific Division rivalry was about to intensify. Both teams traded wins as momentum shifted in a back-and-forth series before the Golden Knights’ adjustments helped them come out on top.
Game 1 – Spoiling Leon’s party
Golden Knights 6, Oilers 4
Draisaitl scored four goals, and he and McDavid combined for six points in the opening matchup of the series. But Vegas’ depth, which featured 11 players finding the scoresheet, prevailed in a barn-burner.
The Golden Knights gave up two power-play goals, but Barbashev answered both tallies within 61 seconds.
Draisaitl’s first power-play goal of the night gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the first, but Barbashev responded 40 seconds later. Amadio gave Vegas its first lead of the series 5:18 later, and Stone scored on the power play with 1:37 remaining in the opening frame. The Golden Knights were 11 seconds away from taking a 3-1 lead into intermission, but Draisaitl scored his second of the game – and ninth of the playoffs – at 19:49.
Neither team scored in the second, but Draisaitl wasted little time, making it a 3-3 game with a power-play tally just 1:35 into the third. Once again, however, Barbashev answered quickly, screening Skinner and tipping Whitecloud’s shot into the net.
Stephenson struck again 50 seconds later to make it 5-3 less than two minutes after Vegas yielded the equalizer.
That proved to be the game-winner, though Draisaitl lit the lamp for the fourth time at 8:33, bringing Edmonton within one.
But it was Eichel who had the last word, as he stripped McDavid of the puck in the defensive zone and then calmly shot it down the ice to seal the win with 34 seconds left.
Vegas leads series 1-0
Vegas goals: Barbashev (2), Amadio (2), Stone (4-PPG), Barbashev (3), Stephenson (5), Eichel (4-PPG)
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Game 2 – Not-so-special teams
Oilers 5, Golden Knights 1
The Oilers were dominant in the second installment of the second-round series. Edmonton scored four goals on special teams, including three on the power play and one shorthanded. The Oilers scored four goals in the first period and took a 5-0 lead at 11:43 of the second.
Draisaitl scored his fifth goal of the series 2:21 into the game; it was the first of two power-play goals in the first period, the second of which came off the stick of defenseman Evan Bouchard. McDavid then added a shorthanded tally.
Draisaitl scored one more for good measure to make it 4-0 with under three minutes in the first. Vegas challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the goal was upheld.
Edmonton converted on another power play in the second. Though Barbashev scored his third of the series early in the third, it was far too little and way too late.
A disastrous start cost the Golden Knights, as Vegas was outscored 4-0 and outshot 19-4 in the opening 20 minutes. As a result, the Oilers were able to take control of home-ice advantage.
Bruce Cassidy made what turned out to be a great call by putting Hill in the crease for the third period, which allowed him to get some game action before eventually joining the fray in Game 3.
Another relevant detail from the lopsided Game 2 matchup is the fact that the series took a nasty turn, in part due to the second-period exchange between Evander Kane and Kolesar.
The heated rivalry spiraled further as the series progressed.
Series tied 1-1
Vegas goals: Barbashev (4)
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Game 3 – Marchy’s arrival
Golden Knights 5, Oilers 1
This was the game when Jonathan Marchessault finally broke through and netted his first of the playoffs, which was important not only for the game but for Vegas’ entire postseason run. The eventual Conn Smythe winner was held to zero goals in the first seven games of the playoffs, but he scored twice – including the game-winner – in Game 3.
For the third time in the series, the Oilers opened the scoring, though this time it was Warren Foegele, as the Oilers’ fourth line scored in transition just 2:45 into the contest.
From there, however, it was all Vegas. Marchessault led the way as the Golden Knights scored five unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Marchessault’s first came less than two minutes after Foegele lit the lamp. Eichel and Barbashev helped tie up the defenders as Marchessault followed the play and tucked the puck around Skinner’s pad.
The Oilers had several chances on the rush, but Brossoit took care of each one. However, after making a huge pad save on a McDavid bid, Brossoit tried to stretch across the crease for the rebound but fell to the ice just under 12 minutes into the game; he had to be helped off the ice and was replaced by Hill. That was the last time Brossoit saw game action as a member of the Golden Knights; that being said, the guy who took over fared pretty well down the stretch.
Marchessault gave Hill a two-goal lead at the very end of the first as he put home a centering feed from Eichel for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Whitecloud, Eichel and Stephenson added three more goals in the middle frame to take Game 3; Whitecloud’s goal at 7:25 was the first by a Vegas defenseman in the playoffs.
Eichel’s tally chased Skinner. At the other end of the rink, Hill and his teammates kept Edmonton to the perimeter and off the board the rest of the way. It was a strong road performance by the Golden Knights, who trailed for 1:59 and led for 40:51. Vegas held McDavid and Draisaitl to zero points, and the Golden Knights only took two penalties, both of which were killed off.
Hill was excellent, and he seemed to be in mid-season form, stopping all 24 shots he faced in relief. Eichel, who assisted on both of Marchessault’s first-period tallies and later potted one of his own, was excellent at both ends and recorded his second three-point game of the postseason, giving him 10 points through eight games.
The drama from Game 2, which played a much more prominent role later in the series, carried over into Game 3 when Kane cross-checked Pietrangelo in the face at the end of the first period.
Vegas leads series 2-1
Vegas goals: Marchessault (1), Marchessault (2), Whitecloud (1), Eichel (5), Stephenson (6)
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5 THINGS
Game 4 – Back and forth we go
Oilers 4, Golden Knights 1
For the second time in four games, the Oilers bounced back from a Vegas win with a dominant showing to even the best-of-seven series. The Golden Knights were overwhelmed from the start, giving up three goals in the first period.
Vegas didn’t score until Nicolas Roy got his first of the playoffs nearly six minutes into the third period, but the game was already well out of reach. Skinner made some key saves throughout the game, and Vegas went 0-for-4 on the power play.
Vegas lost its composure in the face of Edmonton’s physicality, leading to multiple undisciplined penalties. Tensions boiled over late in the game, and Pietrangelo delivered a dirty double-handed slash to Draisaitl’s wrist, resulting in a game misconduct and, ultimately, a one-game suspension.
Darnell Nurse received an automatic one-game suspension (that was upheld upon review) after taking an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of regulation in a fight against Nicolas Hague.
In the end, despite all the mistakes, Vegas had opportunities to get back into the game. The Golden Knights came up short on three consecutive – including two back-to-back – power plays in the second period. Perhaps more than anything, that is what cost Vegas in Game 4.
Hill finished his first career postseason start with 29 saves on 33 shots for an .879 save percentage; Skinner turned away 25 of 26 (.962 SV%).
Series tied 2-2
Vegas goals: Roy (1)
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NEWS: Pietrangelo suspended for Game 5
Game 5 – The PK saves the day
Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
This was the closest game of the series, and it featured many momentum shifts. But for the first time, the Golden Knights ultimately won the special teams battle. The two clubs combined for five power-play goals, but the Golden Knights’ penalty kill came through in the third period, which proved to be the difference in the game.
The game didn’t start out well for the home team, as Vegas surrendered two power-play goals in the first period, giving up the first goal for the fifth time in five games.
However, Eichel scored 50 seconds after the first goal to make it 1-1 early in the first; it was the fourth time in the series that the Golden Knights scored within two minutes of an Oilers goal, with the other three instances taking place in Games 1 and 3 (both wins for the Golden Knights).
Edmonton led 2-1 after 20 minutes, but for the first time in the series, that lead did not determine the winner of the game.
That’s because the Golden Knights scored three goals in the span of 89 seconds late in the middle frame; two of those goals came on the power play, including Stone’s 5-on-3 marker and Reilly Smith’s first goal of the playoffs 29 seconds later. The Golden Knights scored two power-play goals in under 30 seconds after an 0-for-14 stretch.
One minute later, a Haguerbomb extended Vegas’ lead; this proved to be the game-winner, and it ended Skinner’s night early.
Eichel recorded the primary assist on the goal for his second three-point game of the series. Aside from an undisciplined retaliatory penalty in the third period, Eichel was outstanding in Game 5.
But Vegas’ two-goal lead was cut in half when Kolesar dangerously and unnecessarily boarded Mattias Ekholm at the end of the second, setting up 4:36 of Edmonton’s lethal power play to start the third.
Miraculously, the Golden Knights gave up just one goal during that major, which turned the tide of the game and series.
The Oilers had their chances, but Hill stepped up, and the Golden Knights played well defensively. One shift, in particular, contributed to the win, as Karlsson, Smith and Stone ate up nearly two minutes on the clock, cycling in the offensive zone and keeping the puck in Edmonton’s end. With roughly two minutes to go, the Oilers set up for the 6-on-5, but Vegas got in shooting lanes and kept the Oilers to the perimeter. Vegas iced the puck with a minute to go, but a final defensive stand helped close out the win, setting up a critical Game 6 elimination bid in Edmonton.
In the end, the Golden Knights’ penalty kill went 1-for-4, but it also managed to save the game.
Vegas leads series 3-2
Vegas goals: Eichel (6), Stone (5-PPG), Smith (1-PPG), Hague (1)
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7 THINGS
Game 6 – The natural hat trick
Golden Knights 5, Oilers 2
For the first time in the series, the Golden Knights lit the lamp first, as Smith got his second in two games.
But McDavid and Foegele both scored in the span of 2:19 to make it a 2-1 game less than three minutes into the contest. However, that lead would not hold.
That’s because the future Conn Smythe winner scored a natural hat trick in the second period.
The second of those three consecutive goals proved to be the series-clincher.
The third came at 4-on-4 as Marchessault beat Skinner cleanly. Pietrangelo assisted on the play in his return to the lineup following the suspension; he and Eichel finished plus-four.
Eichel made several outstanding defensive plays in the final minutes of regulation, including a diving poke check with 5:16 remaining. Edmonton pulled Campbell – who was in net for the third period – with 3:35 to go, but the Oilers were unable to solve Hill. With 39 seconds remaining, Karlsson scored an empty-net goal to seal the win and eliminate the Oilers in six games.
Significantly, the Golden Knights took just one penalty, which they killed off. Also, Hill put on a show in the third period to close out the win.
While Marchessault led the Golden Knights, Hill willed them to victory. After a rough start, he was rock-solid, shutting the door for the final 57:17 in an elimination game on the road.
The top line shut down Draisaitl and scored key goals, the members of the Misfit Line (i.e., Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith) accounted for all five goals and Vegas’ depth prevailed over Edmonton’s top-heavy roster. But Hill’s calm demeanor settled Vegas even as Edmonton left it all on the ice.
The fact that it was Karlsson who sealed the win was a fitting finish since Karlsson so significantly influenced the series. His defensive play gave the Oilers fits, and it even led to the Oilers keeping McDavid on the bench just to avoid the Karlsson matchup. In 68:46 of 5-on-5 ice time in the series, Karlsson gave up just two goals.
For the fourth time in six seasons, the Golden Knights were heading to the Western Conference Final.
Vegas wins series 4-2
Vegas goals: Smith (2), Marchessault (3), Marchessault (4), Marchessault (5), Karlsson (5)
Series-clinching goal
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Round 2 – By the numbers
Leading scorers: Eichel (3-6–9), Marchessault (5-3–8), Barbashev 3-3–6), Smith (2-3–5)
Goalie stats: Brossoit (3 starts): 1-1, 5.38 GAA, .841 SV% | Hill (3 starts): 3-1, 2.19 GAA, .934 SV%
Power play: 16.7 percent (rank: 6/8)
Penalty kill: 60.9 percent (rank: 8/8)
Record split: 2-1 at home, 2-1 on the road
ROUND 3: VEGAS vs. DALLAS
The Western Conference Final series between the Golden Knights (51-22-9) and Stars (47-21-14) was expected to be a high-octane, star-studded matchup between two talented and deep teams.
It was the second playoff meeting between the two clubs, as the Stars defeated the Golden Knights in five games in 2020 in the bubble. Though that series was decided in just five games, four of the five games were decided by one goal, and two required overtime.
In 2023, three were decided by one goal and three required overtime.
But this time around, the outcome was different.
The Golden Knights jumped out to a 3-0 series lead against the Stars thanks to two quick overtime wins and a dominant effort in Game 3 after Jamie Benn’s reckless decision helped the Golden Knights take control of the series. Dallas stormed back with two hard-fought wins, including Game 4’s overtime victory. However, with the pressure mounting, and as Benn returned from a two-game suspension, the Golden Knights annihilated the Stars in Game 6, closing out former bench boss Pete DeBoer in six games with a statement win on the road.
Game 1 – Howden in OT
Golden Knights 4, Stars 3 (OT)
The two clubs combined for four goals in a wild third period that saw Benn net the equalizer with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. However, Howden ended it just 1:35 into extra time with his third goal of the playoffs.
The first 10 minutes of the game was about as dominant as it gets for the Golden Knights, who won puck battles and pushed the pace early, leading 11-1 in shots and 16-1 in shot attempts through the first nine-plus minutes. But goaltender Jake Oettinger – who had mixed results in Dallas’ second-round series against Seattle – was up to the task, keeping the game scoreless despite Vegas’ aggressive start, which featured multiple odd-man rushes and many prime scoring chances.
But it was the Stars who grabbed a surprising 1-0 lead late in the first when Jason Robertson scored with 76 seconds remaining in the first period.
Karlsson’s fantastic postseason continued as he scored in the second and third periods to give Vegas a 2-1 lead, but Hintz evened things up 4:01 into the third. Teddy Blueger’s first of the playoffs gave Vegas a 3-2 lead at 9:20 of the third, but with just 1:59 remaining in regulation, Benn scored to force overtime.
It didn’t take long for the Golden Knights to strike, as Howden lifted Vegas to victory with the 4-3 win just 95 seconds into extra time.
Notably, it was the first time Oettinger fell short against the Golden Knights (he was 4-0 all-time coming into the matchup). Oettinger played very well and kept the game closer than it could have been, but he finished the night with 33 saves on 37 shots for an .892 save percentage. Hill won his fourth game of the playoffs, stopping 33 of 36 for a .917 save percentage.
Vegas leads series 1-0
Vegas goals: Karlsson (6), Karlsson (7), Blueger (1), Howden (3)
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Game 2 – Chandler calls game
Golden Knights 3, Stars 2 (OT)
Much like Game 1, Game 2 was a one-goal game that required overtime. Much like Game 1, Game 2 went to the Golden Knights, and it didn’t take long once overtime started. But this time, it was the Golden Knights who scored the equalizer late in the third. Marchessault found twine with 2:22 remaining, and Stephenson scored just 72 seconds into extra time to give Vegas a 2-0 series lead.
Dallas scored first for the second time in the series, as a Miro Heiskanen shot got deflected up and over Hill just 2:47 into the game. But two Dallas penalties set up a 5-on-3 for Vegas, and Stone made a diving play to cash in just past the midway mark of the period.
Roughly a period later, the Stars took a 2-1 lead with a power-play strike by Robertson.
It took more than 28 minutes, but the Golden Knights evened things up to make it 2-2 with 2:22 remaining.
It was a memorable goal, as Stars defenseman Ryan Suter turned the puck over, and Eichel made a fantastic between-the-legs pass from behind the net to set up Marchessault’s one-timer, forcing overtime.
Once again, the Golden Knights didn’t waste any time in overtime. With his seventh of the playoffs, Stephenson potted the game-winner just 1:12 into extra time to give Vegas a 2-0 series lead.
Vegas leads series 2-0
Vegas goals: Stone (6-PPG), Marchessault (6), Stephenson (7)
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Game 3 – The Benn effect
Golden Knights 4, Stars 0
As the series shifted to Dallas, the Stars were in must-win mode to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole, but the Stars captain must not have gotten the memo.
Marchessault gave Vegas an early lead just 1:10 into the game, scoring off an impressive cross-ice feed from Eichel.
It was a frustrating start for a Dallas club playing in front of a raucous home crowd, but that frustration boiled over, leading to a vicious and dangerous play. Less than a minute after Marchessault’s goal, Benn cross-checked Stone in the face while he was down on the ice, for which Benn was assessed a match penalty, a five-minute major, a game misconduct and later a two-game suspension. It was a senseless play that proved to be a turning point in the series.
The Golden Knights capitalized on the resulting major, as Barbashev scored to give Vegas a 2-0 lead just under six minutes into the game.
Vegas then took a 3-0 lead when Carrier scored his first of the playoffs at 7:10, which ended Oettinger’s night.
Vegas extended its lead to 4-0 in the second period on Pietrangelo’s first of the postseason. From there, the Stars – and their fans – lost their composure down the stretch.
But Hill and the Golden Knights shut the door for a decisive victory to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series. Hill finished the game with 34 saves for his first career playoff shutout.
Vegas leads series 3-0
Vegas goals: Marchessault (7), Barbashev (5-PPG), Carrier (1), Pietrangelo (1)
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NEWS: Benn suspended two games
Game 4 – Failure to sweep
Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT)
The Stars were able to stave off elimination with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 4. It was the most evenly-played game of the series.
Karlsson and Marchessault scored for the Golden Knights in the first and second periods, respectively, giving Vegas a one-goal lead each time. But Dallas responded in the final minutes of both periods. Robertson scored late in the first period on the power play.
He lit the lamp again with 2:29 remaining in the middle frame.
Hill made a monster save on Fredrik Olofsson in the final two minutes of regulation, but after a scoreless third period, the two clubs headed for overtime for the third time. Vegas entered with a 3-0 record in extra time, while Dallas was 0-4. However, it was the Stars who came out on top, as Joe Pavelski scored the game-winner on the power play 3:18 into extra time, forcing a Game 5.
It was a wild sequence, as Hill was tripped by his own player and then screened, but the Stars lived to fight another day.
Both goalies played extremely well, and Oettinger bounced back after getting pulled just 7:10 into Game 3. Dallas went 2-for-2 on the power play.
Vegas leads series 3-1
Vegas goals: Karlsson (8), Marchessault (8)
Game-winning goal
RECAP
Game 5 – Missed opportunity
Stars 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 5 was a 2-2 game at the midway point of the third period, but Ty Dellandrea – a healthy scratch in the first two games of the series – scored two goals in under 90 seconds to give Dallas its first multi-goal lead of the series and, ultimately, the victory.
For the second game in a row, the two clubs traded goals through 40 minutes, with Vegas taking a lead and Dallas answering. Barbashev and Luke Glendening scored in the first, while Stephenson and Robertson broke through in the second.
The Stars were the better team, and Hill had to be spectacular.
One of his best saves of the playoffs came when he robbed Joel Kiviranta early in the third period.
But the Stars’ pressure proved to be too much, and Hill gave up a somewhat soft deflection goal to Dellandrea at 10:35, which proved to be the game-winner.
Dellandrea scored again at 12:02 to give Dallas the two-goal lead. In the end, the Golden Knights couldn’t solve Oettinger, who held Vegas to two goals for the second game in a row.
The Golden Knights were outplayed, and Hill was the only reason Vegas was even in contention near the end. He repeatedly robbed the Stars on point-blank chances, and he covered up mistakes by his teammates, who committed 24 giveaways.
It was a failed opportunity to close out the series on home ice. After taking a 3-0 series lead, the Golden Knights found themselves heading into a critical Game 6 on the road. The Stars, with captain Benn back in the mix, would try to force a Game 7.
Vegas leads series 3-2
Vegas goals: Barbashev (6), Stephenson (8)
Game-winning goal
RECAP
Game 6 – Utter dominance
Golden Knights 6, Stars 0
The Golden Knights delivered a perfect effort in the opening 20 minutes, establishing a dominant game plan, silencing the crowd and taking a 3-0 lead 14 minutes in. Vegas kept its foot on the gas and added a fourth goal in the second period and two more in the third in an absolute annihilation.
Cassidy’s decision to put Roy back on the fourth line paid dividends immediately. The fourth line started the game and had a spectacular shift to set the tone early; on its second shift, the trio put the puck in the back of the net. The game-winning goal came just 3:41 into the first period.
Unlike in Games 4 and 5, the Golden Knights didn’t hold back after taking the early lead, but instead played with urgency for the entire opening frame and for most of the contest.
Karlsson scored his ninth of the playoffs on the power play to give Vegas a 2-0 lead at 10:25.
One game after Dallas’ fourth line scored two key goals in the third period, Vegas’ answered in the first, as Kolesar scored to make it 3-0.
Marchessault scored his ninth of the postseason exactly 20 minutes after Karlsson to make it 4-0 midway through the game.
Just 2:06 into the third, Karlsson scored again to put the game out of reach.
Amadio added one more for good measure as the Golden Knights shut out the Stars to clinch the series.
The Golden Knights delivered one of the best performances in franchise history. The killer instinct that was absent in Games 4 and 5 was there from the moment the game started. The forecheck was relentless, and the Golden Knights capitalized on their chances, lighting the lamp four times on their first 17 shots. The Vegas game plan was executed to perfection, and the Golden Knights held Dallas to just three high-danger chances the entire night.
Through three rounds, the members of the Misfit Line accounted for 10 goals in four elimination games. But 10 different skaters found the scoresheet in the series clincher, with five recording multiple-point efforts, including Carrier, Kolesar and Amadio as well as Smith and Karlsson, who had a game-high three points.
Vegas wins series 4-2
Vegas goals: Carrier (2), Karlsson (9-PPG), Kolesar (2), Marchessault (9), Karlsson (10), Amadio (3)
Series-clinching goal
RECAP
Round 3 – By the numbers
Leading scorers: Marchessault (4-3–7), Karlsson (5-1–6), Barbashev (2-4–6), Roy (0-5–5)
Goalie stats: Hill (6 starts): 4-2, 1.99 GAA, .939 SV%, 2 shutouts
Power play: 21.4 percent (rank: 3/4)
Penalty kill: 72.7 percent (rank: 3/4)
Record split: 2-1 at home, 2-1 on the road
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Golden Knights stumbled out of the gate in Game 1 against the Jets but turned things around with four straight wins followed by impressive six-game series victories against Edmonton and Dallas, two of the top teams in the conference.
Everyone throughout the lineup contributed, making the Conn Smythe Trophy race more open than usual. Cassidy made the right adjustments, and the Golden Knights responded game after game, finding ways to win, as they had been doing all year.
For the second time in franchise history, the Golden Knights had advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
“We’re right where we want to be, but the job’s far from complete,” Stone said after eliminating Dallas in Game 6.
Only the Florida Panthers stood in the way of the Golden Knights lifting their first Cup.
For a look back at the final installment of Vegas’ postseason run, stay tuned for Part 3 of Journey to the Cup.
Statistics courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick.