The Vegas Golden Knights scored three times in the first eight minutes, frustrating the Dallas Stars in a X-X victory.
The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from reaching their second Stanley Cup Final with a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
Adin Hill stopped all 34 shots he faced, and Ivan Barbashev tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the victory.
Jonathan Marchessault tallied his ninth point in five games (five goals, four assists) with a goal in the first period.
"We finished plays right," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "So you get a lead on the road, it makes it a little bit easier to relax and play, not to chase the game. Puck management, we played behind them, we forecheck, we create turnovers, and we play in the O-zone with puck possession. We've talked about that being a big part of our game in the playoffs. We feel we're doing something to put pressure on them. It wasn't just luck or a fortunate break, we did it by playing the way we wanted to play."
The Turning Point
The Golden Knights got everything they needed in the first 7:10 of the game.
Marcehssault scored at 1:11 of the first period. Then 42 seconds later Dallas captain Jamie Benn was called for a five-minute major and game misconduct for cross-checking Vegas captain Mark Stone while Stone was on the ice.
"We were a little surprised. A lot of times emotions get higher when it’s a physical game, or when it’s later in the game. But it surprises us when those things happen, especially when it’s in the head area," Alex Pietrangelo said. "We were hoping that [Mark Stone] was going to get up and he did, he’s a tough guy. But we let the refs take care of it. We felt like at that point it was a good opportunity to put the pressure on. So, it’s scary anytime you see something like that, but we’re fortunate that Mark did get up."
Barbashev scored on the ensuing power play after Dallas got a shorthanded chance on the rush. William Carrier made it 3-0 with a stellar backhand goal, ultimately chasing Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger, who allowed three goals on five shots.
Pietrangelo scored the final goal at 8:28 of the second period.
"When you go up 3-0 those can be risky sometimes," Barbashev said. "Some teams may stop playing but we kept pushing and we got another goal to make it 4-0. I think that was huge too."
Shining Knight of the Game
Hill was spectacular in net, stopping 34 shots for his first career NHL Stanley Cup Playoff shutout. He was also hit with popcorn on his way out of the tunnel for the third period.
“I guess everything was hitting me tonight,” Hill said. “It was a little weird. A little popcorn fell. I noticed it. It’s whatever.”
Up Next
The Golden Knights and Stars will meet for Game 4 at 5 p.m. in Dallas on Thursday.
Vegas is up 3-0 and will look to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2018 – its first season.