The Vegas Golden Knights maintained their composure and delivered the perfect response after their captain was the target of an ugly hit early in Game 3. They stand just one win away from another Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Ivan Barbashev scored a power-play goal following the ejection of Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, who was penalized for a cross-check on Mark Stone less than two minutes into the game. Vegas quickly capitalized, scoring three goals in the first 7 1/2 minutes to secure a 4-0 victory and take a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final on Tuesday night.
“You keep your composure,” said Alex Pietrangelo, who scored midway through the second period.
Benn’s hit on Stone occurred after the two captains collided near the blue line. Benn lunged forward with both hands on his stick, striking Stone near the neck as he slid across the ice.
“We were upset to see that happen to our captain,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. “But we channeled that frustration correctly capitalized on the penalty, and doubled our lead.”
While Stars goalie Jake Oettinger had his shortest start ever, pulled after allowing three goals on five shots, Vegas goalie Adin Hill was stellar, stopping 34 shots for his first career postseason shutout. Hill became the second Knights goalie this postseason to achieve a five-game winning streak, following Laurent Brossoit before his injury.
After a string of comeback wins, including two overtime victories to start the series, Vegas was in control throughout Game 3.
Game 4 is set for Thursday night in Dallas, where the Golden Knights can secure a trip to their second Stanley Cup Final in the franchise’s six-year history.
The Golden Knights first reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season of 2017- 18 but lost in five games to the Washington Capitals. After missing the playoffs last season, Vegas has rebounded under coach Bruce Cassidy and now sits on the brink of another chance at the Cup.
Jonathan Marchessault got Vegas on the board just 71 seconds into the game, moments before Benn was assessed a game misconduct for his cross-check.
“Benn made a mistake and feels terrible about it,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “Fortunately, Mark Stone’s OK, but we’ll have to live with the consequences.”
Benn’s ejection left the Stars without their captain, and he may face further suspension after the NHL reviews the play.
Barbashev’s goal on the ensuing power play came after a Stars shorthanded chance was stopped, and Nicolas Roy took the rebound the other way to set up Barbashev for a 2-0 lead.
“That 15 seconds of hockey was huge,” Cassidy said, praising Hill’s save on the shorthanded break and the immediate counter-attack that led to Barbashev’s goal.
William Carrier added a third goal, prompting Oettinger’s exit. Backup Scott Wedgewood made 10 saves, but Pietrangelo scored just as a Dallas penalty expired to make it 4-0.
Dallas forward Max Domi was ejected late in the second period after cross-checking Nicolas Hague and throwing punches. Fans reacted by throwing debris onto the ice, forcing officials to send both teams to the locker rooms early.
“The weirdest thing I’ve seen,” said Hill of the fans’ reaction. “Never seen so much stuff thrown onto the ice.”
Game Notes: Stars forward Evgenii Dadonov left in the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return. This was the first Western Conference Final game in Dallas since 2008 when the Stars lost to Detroit in Game 6.