An important series of turning points took place in the 15th minute of the fight, when Jonathan Marcheso, representing the “Golden Knights” club since the first match, did not use an excellent opportunity to put the guests in the lead. The Canadian missed the empty net from close range, being unimpeded. The puck bounced off the goalpost right at “Stars” hockey player Wyatt Johnston. The 20-year-old launched an attack that ended with him once again in the right place at the right time, getting into shooting position and beating Las Vegas goaltender Aydin Hill.
The Canadian forward has seven (4+3) points in this series. The youngster has gained a lot of experience in Stanley Cup battles, playing 26 NHL playoff games and earning 13 (8+5) points in his career so far.
In the first half of the second period, the Dallas team attacked more sharply, but Hill defended his fortress. On the other hand, four and a half minutes before the end of the act, “Golden Knights” forwards William Carlson and Mike Amadio played until Bret Howden moved the puck into an empty net – 1:1.
At the end of the third period, another leader of the Las Vegas attack – Jack Eikel – wasted a huge opportunity to put his team in front. Aykel was on the move more than Marcheseau had been, and Dallas goaltender Jake Ettinger had put his stick in front of him, but most of the corner of the goal was clear.
And again – “Golden Knights” could soon bite your fingerswith Radek Fax regaining the lead for Dallas in the 44th second of the third period.
In the continuation, the guests were no longer able to create similar scoring opportunities, sometimes saving themselves from losing another goal. “Stars” rehabilitated Las Vegas for the loss (2-4) in the final of the Western Conference last year.
The Dallas team will face another recent Stanley Cup winner, the Colorado Avalanche, in the next round. Avalanches in the first round buried Winnipeg “Jets” defense, allowing an average of 5.6 goals in each of the five games of the series.
Dallas and Colorado, who bounced back from losses in the first two contests against Las Vegas, will play the first battle of the series on Wednesday morning.
First round of the NHL playoffs
| East | 1. sp. | 2nd sp. | 3rd sp. | 4th sp. | 5th sp. | 6th sp. | 7th sp. | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers – Lightning | 3:2 | 3:2 p. | 5:3 | 3:6 | 6:1 | 4-1 | ||
| Bruins – Maple Leafs | 5:1 | 2:3 | 4:2 | 3:1 | 1:2 p. | 1:2 | 2:1 p. | 4-3 |
| Rangers – Capitals | 4:1 | 4:3 | 3:1 | 4:2 | 4-0 | |||
| Hurricanes – Islanders | 3:1 | 5:3 | 3:2 | 2:3 v. 2 | 6:3 | 4-1 | ||
| West | 1. sp. | 2nd sp. | 3rd sp. | 4th sp. | 5th sp. | 6th sp. | 7th sp. | Series |
| Ray – Golden Knights | 3:4 | 1:3 | 3:2 p. | 4:2 | 3:2 | 0:2 | 2:1 | 4-3 |
| Jets – Avalanche | 7:6 | 2:5 | 2:6 | 1:5 | 3:6 | 1-4 | ||
| Canucks – Predators | 4:2 | 1:4 | 2:1 | 4:3 p.m. | 1:2 | 1:0 | 4-2 | |
| Oilers – King | 7:4 | 4:5 p.m. | 6:1 | 1:0 | 4:3 | 4-1 |
Conference Semifinals
| East | The next game |
|---|---|
| Rangers (1) – Hurricanes (0) | May 8 at 2:00 a.m |
| Panthers – Bruins | May 7 at 3:00 a.m |
| West | The first game |
| Ray – Avalanche | May 8 at 4.30 |
| Canucks – Oilers | May 9 at 5:00 a.m |
Used sources:
https://www.nhl.com/scores
Tags: Las Vegas wastes opportunities defend title holder Stanley Cup Hockey Sportacentrs .com
