Vegas Golden Knights Drop Game Two Of Stanley Cup Final

Lack of execution doomed the Vegas Golden Knights in game two of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Vegas Golden Knights took game one of the Stanley Cup Final by the score of 6-4 over the Washington Capitals. The Capitals looked to get back on track after giving Vegas great scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights wanted to limit the turnovers as much as possible.

Washington went with the same lineup as they did in game one. Braden Holtby took the crease as expected despite a below average performance in the first game of the series. Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz is sticking with the veteran netminder for the rest of the way.

As for Vegas, they made a small tweak to their lineup. Golden Knights Head Coach Gerard Gallant bumped David Perron up to the second line with Erik Haula and James Neal. Alex Tuch moves down to the third line with Ryan Carpenter and Cody Eakin. Max Lagace remains the backup to Marc-Andre Fleury as Malcolm Subban is still nursing an injury.

The first period began, and both teams started with a lot of jump to their step. Both sides traded early scoring chances, but both goaltenders were up to the task. However, a harmless looking play turned into a goal for the home team.

Luca Sbisa made an airmail pass to a breaking James Neal in the offensive zone. Neal sniped a shot past Holtby’s glove side for his fifth of the postseason. The goal gave the Vegas faithful a ton to cheer about early on in game two.

Minutes later, the physicality of the series heightened. Brayden McNabb dished out a massive hit on one of the Capitals superstars, Evgeny Kuznetsov and was knocked out of the contest. Then TJ Oshie and Deryk Engelland took roughing minors, then the entire complexion of the game changed from there.

The teams played four on four after and it favored the Capitals in every way imaginable. The Caps won the faceoff and started a quick passing play in the offensive zone and eventually Colin Miller loses Lars Eller. Eller finds the puck on his stick and slams it in the empty cage.

Great start from the Golden Knights in the first period but an awful second half of the opening frame. The Golden Knights managed only to get one shot after the goal from Neal. The shot total favored Washington 12-10 to start off the game.

In the middle frame, things went from bad to worse. Tuch took a mindless cross-checking penalty that allowed the Caps to get to work on the power play. A perfect backdoor pass from Eller to none other than Alex Ovechkin and just like that the Caps led 2-1. His 13th goal of the playoffs gave Washington new life as they quieted the hometown crowd down.

Just four minutes later, the Caps struck again. Brooks Orpik noticed Tuch screening Fleury, so he took a simple snapshot, and it deflected off of him and in the net. His first goal since February of 2016 couldn’t have come at a better time for Washington. That’s two goals that resulted in Tuch’s miscues.

TJ Oshie also took a foolish penalty trying to take a run at Miller. Then the momentum swung back in favor of the Golden Knights on the man advantage. Tuch makes up for his mistakes by screening Holtby, and Shea Theodore’s snap shot from the point found the back of the net. His third goal of the playoffs late in the second period brought the fans back to life heading into the third.

The Golden Knights ended the second period on the right note and outshot the Caps 14-11 in the middle frame. Vegas limited Washington’s scoring chances as the period went on, but they were still down one on the scoreboard. It would take the Golden Knights best effort to tie this game back up.

In the third period, the Golden Knights earned not only a five on four power play but a five on three advantage. Vegas had a chance to tie the game thanks to a couple of silly Capitals mistakes. Instead, they let it go to waste, and they didn’t cash in on their opportunity.

That’s right, a five on three power play for over a minute and a half, and they managed to get nine shots on goal with none in the back of the net.

And just when you think the Golden Knights couldn’t have gotten a better chance they did. With two minutes to go, a crazy carom off the boards bounced straight to Eakin. Eakin made a perfect pass to Tuch, and Braden Holtby came up with the save of the playoffs. The Syracuse, New York native, really needed to roof this puck if he wanted to get this game tied up.

The Golden Knights didn’t come close after that, and the Capitals won game two by a score of 3-2. With the series going to Washington, the Capitals now have home-ice until Vegas wins one on the road. An uphill battle is ahead for the Vegas Golden Knights, and they better be ready for it.

Vegas Hockey Knight’s Three Stars

3rd Star) James Neal- One goal, +1 rating, three shots on goal, four hits in 17:07 TOI.

2nd Star) Lars Eller- One goal, two assists, +1 rating, one shot on goal, six hits in 18:37 TOI.

1st Star) Braden Holtby- 37 saves on 39 shots in game two victory.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights: Ryan Reaves Providing A Significant Impact

All in all, isn’t this what we all expected from this series? The Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals look destined to go deep in the Stanley Cup Final. Catch puck drop for game three in Washington on NBCSN at 5 PM PT.