Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the Dallas Stars for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals to decide which team will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Vegas came out strong, attacking Dallas early and often. The Stars were able to fend off the Golden Knights quick rush and were rewarded with two power play opportunities. The home team handled the challenege and killed both minor penalties. With under two minutes left to play in the period, the Stars took the opening lead with a deflection past goaltender Adin Hill.
Midway through the second period William Karlsson jumped on a rebound off the backboards and tied the game 1-1. Vegas controlled the pace for most of the frame by outshooting and pressuring Dallas. Going into the second intermission the game was locked in a 1-1 tie.
Early in the third period Vegas took the lead with Karlsson’s second goal of the game. A few minutes later Dallas evened the score, but the home team fought right back. Depth forward Teddy Blueger controlled a rebound and scored the go-ahead goal 9:20 into the final frame. Dallas made a push in the back end of the period and evened the score to force overtime.
Quickly into sudden death, Brett Howden scored off his own rebound to end the game 4-3.
The Golden Knights take a 1-0 series lead over the Stars with their 4-3 victory. Vegas will try and take a two-game series lead with a win on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for Noon. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Vegas came out and were all over the Stars from the start of this game. They were excellent at both blue lines consistently gaining zone entry and denying the Stars all night long. A few funky hops made the game a lot more interesting than it had to be, but in the end, the clearly better team got the win. Heck of a way to start the series for the Golden Knights. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena.
- Entry and exit dominance
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Keegan Kolesar
** Brett Howden
* William Karlsson
The Golden Knights absolutely earned that win. They were the better team in all 4 periods.
7 away from winning the Stanley Cup!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 20, 2023
Net front battles are going to be a story all series. VGK lost one real bad in the first 6-on-5 situation and now it's next goal wins.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 20, 2023
Keegan Kolesar got hit by a puck and it appears to have given him magical powers. He's been amazing since he came back.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 20, 2023
Hitting Pete with a little taste of his own medicine. #ShotSuppressionMachine https://t.co/Xxy9iLjm8S
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 20, 2023
Satan
This is Satan.
What a great win! No passengers today. They deserved this one.
Satan has spoken.
https://reallyfakenews.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/satan.jpg
knights fan in minny
hell yeah good win.solid effort from everyone.hill was good between the pipes. Kolesar with a nice power move to the net on bluegers goal.4th line was good.wild bill with another hard working effort.rewarded with 2 tallies the pure joy on the boys faces after the goal was priceless
TS
After controlling this 1st game, I think Dallas is beatable. Easier opponent than the Oilers. PDB has nothing on our Knights! NOTHING!!
TS
PDB thought he had an advantage, knowing the VGK players from coaching here. But, turnabout is fair play, and our players ALSO know how PDB coaches other players, other teams. If last night was an indicator, the VGK has the winning edge here!!
Former season ticket holder
Great game and great memories…especially surrounded in the stands by stars fans..
larry
I hated losing that late lead…yet again…i wish we could just close things out without my blood pressure rising and my stomach in knots lol…having said that we did a nice job of limiting dangerous chances the last 10 minutes…until…the dangerous chance….sigh!!!…having said that VGK played really well tonight….loved the patience eichel showed on the 2 on 1 with barbashev…we keep getting odd man rushes and soon the mystery of beating oettinger will be a thing of the past…at least i hope…hes a top flight goalie…but guess what…our unsung unknown unheralded netminder just keeps keeping on…on to sunday and build further momentum on our 6th year quest!!
Richie-Rich
The Golden Knights were clearly the better team throughout this game, especially in the first period when they had so many high danger chances that missed. Once again the team has to give home fans a coronary by giving up yet another late goal in the 3rd period.
IKEA is absolutely delivering this summer. He a Dad and he is showing it!
I am also seeing a different Jack Eichel in these playoffs. He’s stepped up his game!
Bleuger delivers!
D I n
Yea that’s pretty much what will be in the rest … They might be a little trouble when some of the bounces goes to stars..but VGK d is going to overwelm the Stars…
Jailbird
This game showed me we are a better team than them. I was ready for a disappointment in the OT, but the boys came thru. Love this team!
Ice Warrior
I was at the game. Much much fun. Dallas fans were pretty cool too, especially when compared to the Soilers fans. Good lord, that group….
Frank
Great team game! Forecheck was solid, karlsson on point with two huge goals, and hill solid in net. Don’t take silly penalties and remain aggressive after taking lead. We got this!!