Recap: The Golden Knights and Blackhawks spent most of the 1st period feeling each other out. Neither team could sustain any offensive pressure and combined for only 14 total shots. Starting goaltender Robin Lehner wasn’t challenged much stopping all five Chicago shots.
Shea Theodore opened the scoring with a beautiful wrist shot passed Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford to make it 1-0 Vegas. Minutes later William Carrier stuffed the puck into Chicago’s net for a two-goal Golden Knights lead. The Blackhawks got closer with a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1 midway through the period. After swapping penalties the game remained a one goal game.
Reilly Smith extended the lead with two goals in the first ten minutes of the 3rd period. Smith scored his first and second goals of the postseason giving his team the 4-1 edge. Chicago couldn’t manage much offense down the stretch and Lehner sealed off the net to secure the 4-1 victory.
The Golden Knights win Game 1 and need three more victories to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Vegas and Chicago continue their best-of-seven game series on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 PM . Locally the game will air on AT&T Sports Network. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The 1st period acted as somewhat of a feeling out process but as it went on Vegas came on defensively holding Chicago to just five shots. The game opened up offensively as it went on for VGK with multiple goals in both the 2nd and 3rd. They started to find more open ice in the slot, got more shots through, and continued to dominate on puck retrieval. The Golden Knights are a lot better than the Blackhawks, they just need to play like they can night in and night out in this series. Successful first try. Do it again Thursday. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from Game 1 of the Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1 series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place in the NHL Bubble.
- The offense opened up in the 2nd period. Why?
- That’s why the Golden Knights wanted Alec Martinez
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Alec Martinez
** Robin Lehner
* Reilly Smith
The Golden Knights are better than the Blackhawks.
They proved it unequivocally in Game 1.
Play anything like they can in the next three and they'll cruise into the 2nd round.#WontStopVegas
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
"It's part of being a 4th liner, as soon as you score they think there must be something wrong so they challenge it." -William Carrier
Both goals he's scored have been wrongly challenged.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Alec Martinez has been quietly terrific tonight.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Very happy to see the Year of Reilly Smith is picking up where it left off. He's been terrific on both ends all night… and has been the entire season.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Throw pucks to the net, Chicago cannot clear them. 2-0 VGK
Great decision by Reaves to create space and shoot instead of jamming it in to the pads.
Even if this gets called back for offside, that's how VGK needs to play. Great stuff by the 4th line.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Play is not supposed to be stopped for the blade coming loose. The "onus" is on the VGK equipment guys. pic.twitter.com/0TIIOUfvLY
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Let's talk about a dominant victory and a lol1-0 lead in Round 1. https://t.co/0s6eyNXMXf
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) August 12, 2020
Doktor Hockey
Knights only played about half the game and still dominated. Hawks are just outmanned. The only question for game 2, will flower get a start. I think probably. Good time to throw him a start.
Bob
Lehner started game 1. Does this mean that he won the goalie battle or are they just continuing to alternate?
Ken Boehlke
We’ll find out tomorrow
Tim
Will Flower start game two I’m sure he’s anxious to prove he still has it but does DeBoer think he still has it? The best part of the Knights is every night you never know who is going to contributes which makes them a hard team to play against. Take nothing away from Chicago they’ve got a good team they just don’t have the depth that we have. Next games a big one get them down two zip and I’ll feel better.
Doktor Hockey
I think the time of a straight goalie rotation for Knights is over. With that said: This series is gonna be so one-sided, DeCoach just might rotate for this series only. With back to back coming, we know flower will get a start there. If DeCoach wants to establish his desire that panda IS his #1, then he may start him again on Thursday. Tuff to know but I am still leaning to a flower start on Thursday?
Tim
The remaining misfits know what Flower has done for this franchise and if he starts whatever game I believe the team will give a little extra effort with the respect they have for him. Bottom line if and when Flower plays he has to produce or he’ll be the backup now and next year and if you haven’t figured it out yet will will resign Lehner he seems to fit in with the team. Ken did you hear that we’ll have the two headed monster next year although you never thought that would happen. Goodbye Paul Stantsy.