The Dallas Stars scored in Game 1 on their very first shot. Last night, they continued to make good on the limited amount of shots they’ve generated. Alexander Radulov scored on the team’s first shot taken in overtime, 31 seconds into the period. Dallas is content and comfortable in its shut-it-down style of play, looking for VGK mistakes and defensive lapses. Thanks to last night’s 3-2 victory in Game 3, Dallas now leads the Western Conference Finals 2-1.
Teams that win Game 3 after a series is tied 1-1 are 359-154 (70%) in going on to win a best-of-7 NHL playoff series. In the first two rounds of this year’s NHL playoffs, that ratio is currently 9-1.
In my last post after Game 2, I asked the proverbial question: Will history repeat itself? The Knights lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in 2018 against Winnipeg, then won the next 3 to earn their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Now I’m wondering: Will the VGK defy history? Losing Game 3, history says they have only a 30% chance of winning 3 of the next 4. Or just 10% if you’re just looking at the first two rounds of these 2020 playoffs.
The goal that really broke the VGK’s back was scored by Jamie Oleksiak on a breakaway after taking a pass from Miro Heiskanen with 17 seconds remaining in the second period to make it 1-0. It ended a goal drought of 157:07 for the Stars, who hadn’t scored since their first shot in Game 1 (1-0 win Sunday) at 2:36 of the first period. It was also the first goal Lehner allowed in 171:27. He had two straight shutouts and hadn’t been scored on since Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks put one behind him in Game 6 (4-0 loss on Sept. 3) of the second round. Late-period goals are usually backbreakers, but Vegas did have the better of the play in the 3rd period and at one point late had an 18-4 shot differential on Dallas. Unfortunately, one of the 4 shots was a goal by Dallas captain Jamie Benn, with which they regained their one-goal lead at 2-1.
Vegas was chasing the game all night, coming from behind 2 different times. The first was when Shea Theodore scored a power-play goal to tie the game at 1-1. Then Alex Tuch scored at 12:46 in the third to tie the game at 2-2 after Jamie Benn beat Robin Lehner on a goal that Lehner probably wants back, as it beat him through his 5 hole. Dallas coach Rick Bowness challenged for interference on Tuch’s goal, but the goal was upheld after video review and the Stars were penalized for delay of game.
Vegas had a chance to seize control of the game and the entire series on the power play they were awarded with the failed challenge. But they missed the golden opportunity; a one-goal lead there would have forced the Stars out of their defensive bubble, putting them in a position they’re not comfortable with at all.
All 3 of the Dallas goals could have been avoided, if not for defensive breakdowns. Plus, Mark Stone fell down at his blue line, allowing Oleksiak his breakaway on Lehner. Then another defensive misplay in overtime enabled former San Jose Shark Joe Pavelski to jump on the ice while both Vegas defensemen, Schmidt and McNabb, were up the ice past Pavelski. Vegas was caught going forward and Pavelski, who was standing in front of his bench with the line change, took a head-man pass from Benn and quickly slid it across to Radulov who was streaking down the right-wing with Stastny and McNabb in pursuit. They never got close and Radulov ripped a rocket of a shot over Panda’s right shoulder that hit the far post and went into the net, rather than every Las Vegans’ wish that it just bounce back out harmlessly.
Jamie Benn was a monster in last night’s game. His physicality was on full display: running over Ryan Reaves, taking out Brayden McNabb at center ice, engaging in a glove-washing incident with Alex Tuch behind the net, scoring a goal to quickly respond to Theodore’s goal that tied the game, then having the wherewithal to see Pavelski jump on the ice behind all 5 Vegas skaters just seconds into overtime and get him the puck, catching both Vegas defensemen flat-footed. DeBoer likes his defensemen joining the rush, but in this particular situation, it put Vegas in a real tough spot if they’re going to take control of this series now, winning 3 of the next 4 games against a team that will, if you allow them, put a virtual wall up in the neutral zone and dare you to skate through it.
Tuch’s ninth goal of the playoffs leads the team, while Shea Theodore leads the team in points, rcording his 18th of the postseason last night.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Jamie Benn (he did it all last night: score, punish Vegas players, and assist on the GWG in OT), Alexander Radulov (GWG in overtime), Anton Khudobin (38 saves on the 40 shots he faced)
Must-win Game 4 is tomorrow at 5 p.m. It will be nationally televised on NBC, Channel 3 here in Las Vegas.
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can reach me at [email protected] or on my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or on Twitter @TheRealJoePane
Benn’s goal that Lehner should have stopped
Never miss another post