As if the Golden Knights haven’t rewritten the record books enough already, the win on Friday night moved them even closer to more history, a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
The 3-2 home win over the Winnipeg Jets in a packed and loud T-Mobile Arena gave them three straight wins after dropping Game 1. The Golden Knights now hold a 3-1 series lead and have a chance to close the door on the Winnipeg Jets Sunday afternoon.
Vegas struck early like it did in Game 3, taking advantage of a Jets penalty, with Jonathan Marchessault delivering a pass to William Karlsson, who fired the puck past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck for a 1-0 lead just 2:25 into the game.
Another game in Vegas, another early goal for the @GoldenKnights.
This time it's @WKarlsson71 starting things up. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/1K2o2bXNfR
— NHL (@NHL) May 19, 2018
Patrick Laine tied the game up for the Jets when a Vegas penalty gave them a man advantage on a power play just over halfway through the second period.
The Golden Knights responded to the Winnipeg goal just 43 seconds later when they took advantage of Hellebuyck being out of position, and Tomas Nosek found the back of the net off a rebound for a 2-1 lead.
Coach said: "Stick on the ice."
Tomas Nosek listened. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/eSgPKCspwI
— NHL (@NHL) May 19, 2018
The Jets weren’t making things easy for the home team though, and they tied the game up for the second time, this time off the stick of Tyler Myers at the 14:26 mark of the third period.
But just like the previous times, Vegas responded, when at the 6:58 mark when Reilly Smith took advantage of an odd man rush off a Winnipeg turnover, racing down the ice and firing past Hellebuyck for a 3-2 lead for the Golden Knights.
The @GoldenKnights were two wins away from the #StanleyCup Final.
Thanks to @reillysmith18, they're one shy. pic.twitter.com/dubyF4WXnu
— NHL (@NHL) May 19, 2018
After a flurry of chances towards the end of the game, Vegas held on until the final whistle for the victory, moving within one win of the Stanley Cup Finals during their expansion campaign.
Reilly Smith added an assist to his game-winning goal for the Golden Knights, while Marc Andre-Fleury continued his stellar postseason in net for Vegas, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he faced.
The Golden Knights can close out the series and take the Western Conference crown on Sunday, although it won’t be easy on the road with Winnipeg fighting to stay alive.
Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT and can be seen on NBC.
Follow Fan Insider on Facebook and on Twitter.
NHL Playoffs: Vegas Wins Game 3, Takes 2-1 Lead In Conference Finals
