Recap: The Golden Knights were playing in a do or die Game 7 for the second straight season. The top seed came out shooting but Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko continued his hot streak from Games 5 & 6. Vegas fired 11 on Demko, while Robin Lehner only needed to stop two. Game 7 was scoreless after the opening period.
The goaltenders took over the game in the 2nd period making some season-saving stops. Lehner made a brilliant save on a two-on-one preserving the scoreless tie. Late in the period Ryan Reaves was given a five-minute major and a game-misconduct for an illegal hit to the head of Vancouver’s Tyler Motte. The Golden Knights killed half of the major penalty in the 2nd period to hold the 0-0 tie.
Vegas began the final period on the penalty kill, continuing from Reaves’ major penalty. The Golden Knights stepped up and stopped the Canucks extended power play. Later in the period Vegas was awarded a power play and it wouldn’t take long for Shea Theodore to give his team the first lead of Game 7. Alex Tuch and Paul Statsny scored an empty-net goals late in the contest. Lehner was outstanding shutting out the Canucks to claim the seven-game series.
With their 3-0 win the Golden Knights clinch the series and advance to the Western Conference final. Vegas will face the Dallas Stars on Sunday night. Game 1 will air on NBC and is scheduled for 5PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Take a breath Vegas. Everything the Golden Knights feared could happen was happening through the first 40 minutes of the game. They couldn’t find a way to beat Demko. They allowed almost no offense against but everyone once in a while a dangerous chance popped up (what a save by Lehner). They even took ANOTHER penalty causing them to have to kill five minutes. In the end, who else but Shea Theodore to find a way to beat Thatcher Demko and the Golden Knights finally prove what we should have known all along, they are the better team. On to the Conference Finals… again! (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from Game 7 of the Vegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver Canucks in Round 2 series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place in the NHL Bubble.
- It’s all about PK entries
- Hopefully the blueprint isn’t out on how to stifle the VGK offense
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Zach Whitecloud
** Nic Roy
* Shea Theodore
Let's talk about ANOTHER trip to the Western Conference Finals. https://t.co/Yti3EzCpZL
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) September 5, 2020
And finally… after all that…
The better team prevails. #WontStopVegas pic.twitter.com/GZIMJWWIZB
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) September 5, 2020
Vancouver #WontStopVegas!!!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) September 5, 2020
There it is!
Traffic in front. Take away his eyes. Let Shea get one through.
Now don't stop pressuring them. Still game to play.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) September 5, 2020
OH MY GOD LEHNER! #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/nhH3IFGd9l
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) September 5, 2020
DOC aPositiveFan
Thank you boys … thank you Panda … THANK YOU so much!!!!!!!
vgk2020
that is called REDEMPTION
DeBoer is now 5-0 in game 7’s and he made all the right moves tonight
Hdbiker7851
Real happy fir you DOC the boys came through for you like we hoped. Now its o wzrd and upward.
Tim
You know to win any championship there’s always a little luck involved. This Demko kid was lights out but we finally got one through. Very nerve raking game not good for the heart but we came through. I’m glad we have Dallas in my opinion not as good as Colorado. Dallas seems to play a little undisciplined and give up a lot of penalties. They don’t have any players close to Maker and Nathen Mac. It won’t be easy but I think there beatable.
Daryl
Not to take away anything from Lehner, but he only had 1 tough saves tonight, which he made. I wonder if we’ve seen the last of MAF.
Now what scares me is this, this series should have been over several games ago. VAN is good but not that good. They are a young team with very little experience. I know VAN goalie played unbelievable but some of that was VGK not getting traffic in front of him. Vegas. VGK now starts to play actual good teams so they better up their game. Our defensive play better step up big time.
Hdbiker7851
The save Lehner made was not unlike those you have seen MAF made as well. Do you recall opposition shaking their head a number of times when Fluery made those type of saves. In fact often highlights show them.
This comment is in no way meant to take away the Lehner save which saves Vegas however its saves that Fluery makes quite often. It was a great win and to a large degree lucky as Demko was a brick wall. Th er only two goals he allowed were from Shea , pretty interesting fact. It will be interesting to see what the league does re Reaves hit – it didn’t appear intentional. Hopefully no suspension as they could use his size vs Dallas. Fortunately it didn’t result in a similar situation as yr 2 game 7. Amazing how alike something like that happens. Onward and upward go knights go.
DOC aPositiveFan
I agree that Dallas is not as talented as Col. But it will be a tuff series. Much diff than Van. Dallas is big and physical, much like us. I would expect lots of hitting and such first couple games for sure. GO KNIGHTS GO !!! 🙂
hdbiker7851
Ken – I have been around hockey my entire life and would appreciate your explanation on something. I know most fans are excited about Lehner which is fine, I have just one question – if he is the be all to end all and now apparently the number one goalie for Vegas why would the other teams he has been involved with give him up. Simple question I would think many people are wondering but not interested enough to ask. Your insight would be appreciated I am sure by all those MAF fans.