Most hockey players have game-day rituals that are the same for every game. Among them is arriving at the rink about 2 hours before a game. I’m not sure what Robin Lehner’s rituals were prior to coming to the VGK, but these days, he gets to the rink 4 hours before a game. Why does Robin Lehner need the extra 2 hours? He told us why in his post-game presser after he’d played an important role in the VGK beating the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime to even this best of 7 series at 2 games apiece.
Robin takes a team bus all by himself 4 hours before the game so he can “watch you guys talk shit about me on Twitter.” He says it motivates him. After watching him yesterday, I believe he was fully motivated. He played about as well as anyone could have hoped for in a game that the VGK really needed. If they’d lost last night, a season with high expectations would have fallen short, way short. In my opinion, they wouldn’t have been able to beat Montreal 3 games in a row, especially the way Montreal has been able to shut down their offense, particularly Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. Combine that with Carey Price between the pipes and with a 3-1 lead, Montreal was headed to the Stanley Cup Final and Vegas would have fallen by the wayside yet another time.
I’m not even sure that the VGK could have won last night if Robin Lehner hadn’t been the goaltender. That’s how good he was.
When this series started back on June 14, the talk was how quickly would the VGK dispose of the Canadiens and punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the 2nd time in the 4-year history. The hockey pundits for the most part were under the impression that Carey Price could steal a game or 2 before Vegas eliminated them. In fact, Robin Lehner was playing for the first time in 21 days and he was the one who stole a game that Montreal deserved to win, being the better team for almost the entire game.
In 5-on-5 situations, Montreal had 18 high-danger scoring chances. Vegas had zero. Vegas went over 6 minutes without a shot on goal in the first period and had only 4 shots total on Carey Price after 20 minutes. It looked bleak after 40 minutes and the only reason this game was still in reach was because of Lehner. He made key saves throughout the game, but the one that stands out was on Cole Caufield at the 7:16 mark of the 3rd period.
Montreal was leading 1-0 on Paul Byron’s breakaway goal off a pass from former VGK draft pick Nick Suzuki, who’d just exited the penalty box. Byron beat Lehner high over his blocker with just 1:05 left in the second period. If Caufield scored on his breakaway, combined with the defense that has smothered the top 6 forwards of the VGK through the first 4 games of this series, you could pretty much have cued the fat lady to start singing.
Robin is in a difficult situation here in Las Vegas as the other goaltender. The city of Las Vegas has their adopted son, his name is Marc-Andre Fleury, He’s been here since day one and is held in reverence. Since he can do no wrong, it’s created a disdain for Lehner among the loyal fan base. Some are new to hockey and may not understand the value of having a goaltending tandem like Lehner and Fleury. Last night, that value was as bright as the light that beams off of the top of Luxor.
Coach DeBoer has claimed he knows how to push the right buttons come playoff time. When you consider his success with 3 different franchises (NJ Devils, San Jose Sharks, and the VGK) and their deep runs in the playoffs, you have to admit he has a valid argument. The button he pushed last night while sitting Marc-Andre Fleury caused the internet to blow up. It also motivated Robin Lehner to play a whale of a game.
DeBoer claimed in his post-game comments it was about fatigue. Fleury has played every playoff game (15) except one. But now what? For Game 5 tomorrow, Fleury will have had 3 days off since playing Game 3 on Friday. What do you think he’ll do?
The talking heads on NBC all claim that DeBoer has no choice but to play Robin on Tuesday. If Robin was motivated by the shit about him on Twitter, wouldn’t you think Fleury is motivated and biting at the bit to redeem himself for his gaffe in Game 3?
Brayden McNabb tied the game on a nice pass from William Karlsson with 9:23 to go. Price would normally stop that shot, but it somehow snuck by him, just between his left arm and body. Hockey is a strange game and last night the team that deserved to win didn’t and in Game 3 the team that didn’t deserve to win did.
The overtime didn’t last long and just like the VGK got beat with the long change in overtime in Game 3, things equaled out. Vegas got some fresh legs on the ice with Pacioretty joining Tuch and Roy. Pacioretty skated around the net and pushed the puck toward the feet of Carey Price. Nicolas Roy, in front of Price, got his first shot off. Price made the save. Roy regained the puck and waited just long enough to catch Price out of position, then lofted the puck over the outstretched Price for the game-winning goal just 1:18 into overtime. This now sets up a best-of-3 series with 2 games at T-Mobile.
Game notes and quotes.
Brayden McNabb was the 7th VGK defenseman to score a goal in these playoffs, which ties an NHL record with 5 other teams: 1987 Edmonton Oilers, 1988 Calgary Flames, 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins, 1994 Washington Capitals, and 2019 Boston Bruins.
Going into last night’s overtime, Montreal was 4-0, Vegas was 1-3.
Lehner on not playing a lot during the postseason: “We’re on a Stanley Cup journey with a great team. In my heart, it doesn’t matter if I’m on the bench or in the net. It’s a team game. Everything is so blown out of proportion.”
“I think a lot has to be said about Robin’s attitude this whole time,” Pacioretty said. “He’s been the number-one cheerleader on the team when he wasn’t playing. His positivity has rubbed off on us, so for him to go in there tonight, the player that we know he is, was huge for our team.”
“Lehner was excellent,” DeBoer said. “I knew he’d be good.”
My 3 Stars of the Game
1) Robin Lehner (stopped 27 of 28 shots and 18 were considered high-danger scoring chances)
2) Nicolas Roy (GWG in overtime)
3) Brayden McNabb (1G that got the game to OT)
Next game is tomorrow at T-Mobile 6 p.m. Pacific Time
If you want to hear and see more VGK content please check out the podcast I do with Eddie Rivkin on YouTube, Hockey Knights in Vegas.
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you may contact me directly at [email protected] or on my Facebook page or the Face
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McNabb goal that tied the game
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Valerie L. sent this opinion in
That was a good move to put Lehner in and rest up Fleury. He was fantastic…We did it. We need to really need to get those scores and get the power plays .We can do it!🎉🎉
Kevin Logan sent this comment in
Excellent.
Nick Steffen sent this comment in
Good comments, as usual. Just don’t get me started on the talking heads at NBC.
Nick Steffen I wish we had another choice. They are so annoying.
Joe P.
Ed Mueller sent this opinion in
It’s an interesting situation… and last night could only go two ways with the fanbase — a win, in which DeBoer and Lehner are geniuses, or a loss and it was the most idiotic move ever.
I like Lehner. I personally thought it was very risky, as I see his weakness being his lateral movement, and the breakaway. And the only goal against him was on a breakaway that was played really well by Montreal. But his positioning made up for the mobility issues.
Now, it’s and interesting situation where we see the advantage of this tending tandem. Lehner certainly has his confidence, and I think Fleury is really fired up to play… and that should (rightfully) give Montreal fits in attempting to plan for Tuesday.
Ed
I echo your opinion DeBoer now has the option to come back with either one for game 5 and it would be the right move.
Joe P.
Like I said DeBoer has pushed all the right buttons so far in this years playoffs.
Joe P.
Marcy Gordon wrote
Annoying would be far down the line in adjectives about the announcers. Blatantly biased comes to mind first and foremost. They can barely pronounce Petro’s name and the excitement expressed when Montreal gets 20’ or closer to our net is embarrassing.
But as long as we win – they can talk trash.
Michael Patrizio sent this comment in about NBC
You mean to tell me there was another team playing the Canadians. NBC 🤔
Michael Patrizio I would have never known, they are in love with Montreal last round it was Colorado.
Joe P.
Dave Campoverde sent this comment in
Lehner has a lot to prove to himself more then he dose to anyone else. Just like Fleury he’s focused on winning. He’s willing to put the work in and understands the mental aspects. All while dealing with his own demons. No one is perfect and everyone has the ability to blow the game at anytime. Fleury is the legend and will be long after he leaves the game.
Goalies can only do so much. Our power play still sucks and we’re struggling without Stephenson. We got the Mo and need a win at home. Lets Go!!
Dave
I felt that the winner of this game 4 would go on to win the series. Tough hill now for Montreal to climb having to win 2 of the next 3. If Vegas would have lost yesterday and they did deserve to lose they were toast. The advantage Vegas has now is 2 of the possible remaining 3 games are at T-Mobile where DeBoer can avoid certain line matchups that Montreal has had the better of.
Joe P
Sara Borden Agas sent this comment in
You can’t say enough about the level of play that Lehner had last night after not playing as long as it was. I have loved him since he signed with the Knights and had no reservations about him playing last night. The man is a fantastic goalie that never gets the praise that he should. I am ever hopeful that this fan base will soon realize how lucky we are to have the tandem that we have
Marcy Gordon had this opinion
Annoying would be far down the line in adjectives about the announcers. Blatantly biased comes to mind first and foremost. They can barely pronounce Petro’s name and the excitement expressed when Montreal gets 20’ or closer to our net is embarrassing.
But as long as we win – they can talk trash.
Terrie R Davis sent this comment in
A majority of the playoff games we have been extremely lucky to have Fleury there to save us. Last night we were lucky to have Lehner. I totally get that they are professionals and are paid to do a job they love but the human brain is an amazing piece of equipment. Couple things to take into consideration… 1: if it takes Twitter to fuel Lehner so be it, fuel away half ass fans. 2: Take Fleury back to the place he grew up minus his dad the week of his 1st Father’s Day without his dad and none of know the mental state that might of been happening….I for one have no idea but have tried putting myself in both positions and they both suck.
I am just glad for the tandem we have. GO KNIGHTS !