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Vegas Golden Knights Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

 

The Golden Knights entered Game 4 two wins away from the Western Conference finals. Vegas took the first lead after Max Pacioretty’s quick wrist shot slipped through Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom’s pads. The Canucks tied the game 1-1 with a power play goal midway through the first. Two minutes later, Chandler Stephenson regained the lead for Vegas after a nice give-and-go pass with Shea Theodore. Starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 7 out of 8 Vancouver shots taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Vancouver evened the game early and took the lead later in the second period. It was the Canucks second power play goal that gave them a 3-2 lead. Markstrom held the Golden Knights scoreless on 14 shots in the second period.

The tide turned in the third period as the Golden Knights came out ready to take care of business. Nate Schmidt tied the game 2:52 into the final twenty minutes, and Pacioretty gave Vegas the lead 4-3 with his second goal of the night. William Karlsson joined the party stretching the Golden Knights lead 5-4. Fleury stopped 27 of Vancouver’s 30 shots on net and earned his first win of the series.

With their 5-3 victory, the Golden Knights lead 3-1 in their best-of-seven game series. Vegas will have a chance at clinching the second round matchup with the Canucks on Tuesday night. Game 5 will air on NBC Sports Network scheduled for 645P PT.

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Vegas Falls To Vancouver In Game 2. Looking To Bounce Back In Game 3

The Vancouver Canucks needed a quick start to Game 2 and they got it. Vancouver took their first lead of the series scoring on starter Robin Lehner 1:29 into the game. Vancouver doubled their lead ten minutes later to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

Alex Tuch scored his sixth postseason goal in the second period to get Vegas within one. Vancouver would respond going up 3-1 with 1:25 left in the middle frame. Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom was strong in net stopping 21 of 22 second period shots by the Golden Knights.

Vancouver stretched their lead to 4-1 on the first shift of the third period. It took the Canucks :18 seconds to set up their fourth goal of the game. Vegas added a second goal late on a 6-in-5 situation to make it 4-2 Vancouver. However, the Canucks would get it back on an last-minute empty-net goal. Markstrom continued his outstanding performance stifling the Golden Knights potent offense and securing a 5-2 Canucks victory.

Vegas is now tied 1-1 in their best-of-seven game series with Vancouver. The second round matchup continues on Thursday night. Game 3 will air on NBC Sports Network scheduled for 645P PT.

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Vegas Wins Game 1 Against The Canucks

Jonathan Marchessault scored the first goal of the series 11:37 into the opening period. Starting goaltender Robin Lehner stopped all eight of Vancouver’s first period shots to hold the 1-0 Vegas edge.

The Golden Knights offense took over the game in the second period. Reilly Smith doubled Vegas’ lead with an early period power play goal. Mark Stone added another midway through the period, and Alex Tuch snapped one late giving the Golden Knights a dominant 4-0 lead.

Vegas continued to pressure Vancouver well into the third period. The Golden Knights pushed the puck and again went to work in the Canucks offensive zone. Max Pacioretty gave Vegas a commanding 5-0 lead with his second goal of the postseason. Lehner was flawless in net stopping all 26 shots on net to secure his first career postseason shutout.

With their 5-0 win Vegas now leads the best-of-seven game series 1-0. The second round matchup against Vancouver continues on Tuesday night. Game 2 is scheduled to air on NBC Sports Network at 645P PT.

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Vegas Golden Knights Advance To Round 2

It was another possible clinching game for the Golden Knights who looked to eliminate the Chicago Blackhawks in five games. With their backs against the wall, the Blackhawks took the 1-0 lead midway through the first. Chicago extended their lead late but Max Pacioretty got Vegas within one, 31 seconds before the period expired. After the opening twenty minutes, the Golden Knights trailed 2-1.

Mark Stone tied the game 2-2 in the first minute of the second period. Chicago regained the lead 3-2 with an even-strength goal a few minutes later. The Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez tied the game 3-3 with a second period power play goal.

Alex Tuch didn’t hesitate to give Vegas their first lead of the game scoring 1:34 into the final period. He thought he had another but was waived off by the officials. Starting goaltender Robin Lehner stopped 23 of 26 Chicago shots to secure the Golden Knights 4-3 victory.

Vegas becomes the first team to clinch their series by eliminating Chicago in five games. The Golden Knights will get some rest as they wait for their next opponent. Dates for the second round are to be determined.

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Vegas Golden Knights Lead 3-1 In The Best of Seven Against The Chicago Blackhawks

Vegas holds a 3-1 lead in the best of 7 vs the Chicago Blackhawks. Vegas got off to a quick start in Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks. William Karlsson did what he does best and gave Vegas the early 1-0 lead with his second career postseason shorthanded goal. Mark Stone fed a nice pass to the middle of the ice for Karlsson to scoop and score. Marc-Andre Fleury got the call in net and had a flawless first period. Fleury was strong again in the second as he shut out a buzzing Chicago team. It took a while but Vegas doubled their lead on Patrick Brown’s first career playoff goal. After two periods the Golden Knights held a 2-0 edge. Chicago got on the scoresheet six minutes into the third period but Vegas held them to only one goal. Fleury had a strong performance stopping 26 of 27 shots.

On back-to-back days the Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks faced off for Game 4 and chance for Vegas to sweep the series. The first period didn’t go as planned for the Golden Knights. Chicago got on the board quickly to take a 1-0 lead four minutes into the game. The Blackhawks extended their lead 13:40 into the period, but :18 seconds later Shea Theodore cut the lead to 2-1. After the opening period, the Golden Knights trailed for the first time in the best-of-seven series.

Vegas struggled to get their power play going in the second period going 0/2. Thankfully, Chicago’s offense went cold as well. Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford made some key saves to keep the Golden Knights from tying the game. Chicago held their 2-1 advantage after two periods in the books. Vegas poured on the pressure in the final period but couldn’t beat Crawford for a second straight period. The Blackhawks fought off a late Golden Knights push and added an empty net goal to stay alive winning 3-1.

Vegas loses their first game of the postseason and now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. The Golden Knights will attempt to clinch again on Tuesday at 730P PT. Locally, the game will air on AT&T Sports Network.

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Vegas Golden Knights Take A 2-0 Lead In The Best of Seven Against The Chicago Blackhawks

The Golden Knights last night took a 2-0 lead in the best of 7 game series vs the Blackhawks. Game 1 started as a defensive battle with both teams only combining for 14 total shots in the first period. Shea Theodore opened the scoring in the second period with a beautiful wrist shot passed Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford to make it 1-0 Vegas. Minutes later William Carrier stuffed the puck into Chicago’s net for a two-goal Golden Knights lead. The Blackhawks got closer with a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1 midway through the period. Reilly Smith extended the lead with two goals in the first ten minutes of the third period. Smith scored his first and second goals of the postseason giving his team the 4-1 edge. Chicago couldn’t manage much offense down the stretch and Lehner sealed off the net to secure the 4-1 victory.

In game 2 The Golden Knights began the first period right off where they left from Game one’s 4-1 victory. Paul Stastny scored the opening goal 10:44 into the contest, and Tomas Nosek followed up with a goal of his own. Starting goaltender Robin Lehner stopped all seven Blackhawks shots holding the 2-0 Golden Knights edge. Chicago started to get going early in the second period. The Blackhawks scored their first of the game 3:17 in to cut Vegas’ lead in half. Later in the period, Chicago tied the game 2-

2 with a power play goal. The Golden Knights leader Mark Stone broke the tie with his third goal of the postseason. However, the Blackhawks got a late period goal tying the game 3-3 after two periods of action. The third period leaned the Golden Knights direction but they couldn’t solve Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford. Vegas shot 16 times in the period but couldn’t get one through. The Blackhawks shot only six times going scoreless as well. After 60 minutes the game would need an extra period to decide a winner. Not surprisingly, Reilly Smith ended the game in overtime off a beautiful pass from Paul Stastny. The Golden Knights won Game two 4-3 and need two more victories to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Vegas and Chicago continue their best-of-seven game series on Saturday evening afternoon at 5P PT. Locally the game will air on NBC Sports Network.

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