The Golden Knights came out looking like the much faster team. They sustained a majority of the pressure for the first eight minutes if the game. That led to the first goal of the game, an incredible one from James Neal. Neal batted a puck out of the air around a defenseman and then took a perfect shot off the post and in. Washington climbed back in getting the game under control and eventually scoring 4-on-4.
A penalty-ridden 2nd period saw the Capitals score two goals to take a 3-1 lead. Vegas came up with a huge penalty kill and eventually went on a power play of their own. Shea Theodore’s wrist shot found its way through a ton of traffic and into the net to restore the Golden Knights life in the game. 3-2 heading into the 2nd intermission.
The Golden Knights drew a penalty early in the 3rd and then backed it up with another one which put them on a 5-on-3. They were unable to create much for the 1:09 of the two man advantage and then Braden Holtby made all the saves to kill it off. Vegas could not generate much of anything until very late. With two minutes left Alex Tuch had a wide open net, got the shot off clean, but what may be the save of the year by Holtby kept it out. The series is now tied and heads to Washington for Game 3 on Saturday.
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Washington Capitals in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena.
- How did Washington snuff out the Golden Knights attack for the entirety of the 3rd period?
- Not enough created in the biggest moment of the game, the 5-on-3.
Three Stars
*** James Neal
** Lars Eller
* Braden Holtby
Good news: The Capitals kind of stink at home.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 31, 2018
Holtby may have just made the best save of the NHL season. With 2 minutes left in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Wow.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 31, 2018
Tiki Owl
Caps took away the neutral zone slowing the Knights attack. Too often the Knights didn’t quickly react in deciding to pass the puck, shoot the puck in, or skate it in. Therefore they wound up with none of the wide spacing they usually see in the attack zone.