There is a political debate as to the effectiveness of building a border wall. Some say it doesn’t deter illegal entries into the country, while others believe it stops them. In hockey, a wall works and last night, it was the big red wall of the Chicago Blackhawks that blocked 32 VGK shots. Cory Crawford stopped the other 48 of 49 shots that got past the wall in Chicago’s 3-1 victory to avoid their elimination from the playoffs. Vegas now leads the best-of-7 series 3-1 and will attempt to close the books on Round 1 when they play Game 5 tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Vegas is still firmly in the driver’s seat in this series and if it hadn’t been for the wall and goaltending, I’d be writing how Vegas dominated this first-round series with a 4-game sweep and now they await the winner of one of the other 3 Western Conference matches to determine whom they’ll play in Round 2.
In total, the VGK attempted 96 shots in the 60 minutes of play. They controlled just about every aspect of the game — except beating Crawford, who single-handedly stole this game from the VGK. Shea Theodore did finally put one by Crawford for the VGK’s lone goal. But by that time, Vegas was already trailing 2-0. Granted, Theodore’s goal came just 18 seconds after Chicago scored a goal that should never have been scored.
In a previous game, Robin Lehner used the top of his mask to send a puck away from the net. But when Matthew Highmore shot the puck toward Lehner, both of his skates were over the red goal line in the left-wing corner, an impossible angle to score from, unless something really strange happens. Instead of standing tall and getting tight up against the post, taking away any chance of scoring from this angle, for some reason, Lehner got cute and used his mask to try and deflect the shot. The puck should have bounced harmlessly behind the net, but it bounced into the net for the 2-0 lead and the game winner. Crawford stood on his head for the remainder of the game when any VGK shots got through the big red wall.
Even with the 3rd-period dominance that Vegas has shown throughout their first 6 playoff games, they were stoned by Crawford, who not only stopped everything he saw, but was also lucky enough to stop the ones he didn’t see when they either hit him or were tipped wide.
Vegas had a 10-2 goal differential in their previous 3rd periods and a +31 shot differential. So there was no panic from the VGK entering the 3rd period. It was safe to assume that they’d eventually crack the wall and Crawford to at least tie the game and get it to overtime or to score 2 to win it in regulation time. They even had multiple power plays and wound up with 3 power-play opportunities, but Crawford was perfect, stopping all 9 power-play shots that Vegas got past that wall.
Lehner can’t be faulted for Chicago’s first goal. Drake Caggiula scored on a pass from Olli Matta from behind the net that Lehner had zero time to react to. I believe that Matta’s pass was intended for Patrick Kane positioned just to the left of Lehner, but the pass missed Kane and wound up on Caggiula’s stick as he skated toward the front of the net and quickly deposited the rubber behind Lehner for the 1-0 lead just 4:08 into the first period. Prior to this goal, Vegas had never trailed during the first 3 games of this First Round series.
Every VGK player except Ryan Reaves was credited with at least 1 shot on goal. Alex Tuch had 6, while Pacioretty, Marchessault, and Schmidt had 5 each.
Robin Lehner stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced for a respectful .917 save percentage, while 180 feet away Crawford stopped an amazing 48 of 49 shots for a .980. Crawford outplayed Lehner and now Vegas will be required to play at least one more game to send Chicago packing for the summer.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Cory Crawford (stopped all but 1), Cory Crawford (ditto), Cory Crawford (ditto). It’s not often you can do this for a hockey game.
Next game is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time and on NBC Sports Network.
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can reach me directly at [email protected] or on my Facebook Page or the Facebook Page of Vegas Hockey Guy or on Twitter @TheRealJoePane.
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Shannon Elizabeth commented
Shame they didn’t let the 🌸 bloom.
So much for going with the “hot” goalie!
I don’t remember being behind last night? 🤔
Shannon Elizabeth nope last night was the first time they were behind in this entire series
Shane Delaney wrote
Joe Pane is an INCREDIBLE AMBASSADOR for the Knight’s. His knowledge supersedes any other analyst I’ve ever heard. But it’s his honesty that stands out. He’s not evasive and will tell you the truth even when it’s probably NOT in his Best Interest. I’ve only known him Personally for 4 years, but if he was nominated for Mayor of Vegas, I know I’d vote for him.
Thank you, Shane
I have never taken the easy road makes no sense in starting now.
Patrick Day wrote
Crawford needs to steal all 4 games for the Hawks to win the series. I thought he would steal at least one. Vegas should come out hitting in Game 5, not give Crawford the opportunity to make the easy saves and gain momentum.