Vegas Golden Knights grind it out in Game 3 to move to within one of a sweep

It wasn’t pretty but the Vegas Golden Knights did what they had to in Game 3 in order to take a 3-0 series lead.

A solid team effort and big plays on special teams were the special ingredients in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2-1 win against the Blackhawks in Game 3 on Saturday.

Mark-Andre Fleury got the start in goal and was sensational, stopping 26 of 27 shots to claim his 80th win in the postseason.

William Karlsson got Vegas on the board early with a shorthanded goal, before Patrick Brown made it a two-goal game in the second period.

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Chicago were playing desperate hockey and they did set up a nervy finish when Olli Maatta lit the lamp in the third.

However, Fleury withstood everything else that was thrown at him to help give the Golden Knights a huge victory in Game 3 and move them to within one of a series sweep.

Let’s break the game down period-by-period…

First Period

Max Pacioretty came back into the lineup for Game 3, although both Paul Stastny and Tomas Nosek were ruled “Unfit to Play” with Patrick Brown replacing Nosek in the lineup.

Marc-Andre Fleury got his first start of the series.

Chicago got an early power play but they couldn’t take advantage and it was the Golden Knights who struck first.

Still on the penalty kill, Mark Stone forced a turnover and then dished the puck to William Karlsson, who rushed in before going upstairs to beat Corey Crawford on the backhand.

Fleury made a fantastic save to keep out a one-timer from Alex DeBrincat, and the future Hall of Famer made a habit of turning away one-timers.

Patrick Kane then rang one off the post as the Blackhawks put together their best period of the series, but they just couldn’t find a way to beat Fleury.

Second Period

Corey Crawford made a heck of a glove save on Nate Schmidt‘s one-timer, while Marc-Andre Fleury was still doing his thing.

And, while Chicago was throwing everything they had at Fleury, the Golden Knights hit them with a sucker-punch.

Alex Tuch went in on the rush, played a game of tic-tac-toe with Nate Schmidt before firing a shot at Crawford, and Patrick Brown was on the doorstep to knock home the rebound.

Vegas was playing an undisciplined game, taking as many penalties in Games 3 through the first two periods then they had in Games 1 and 2 alone.

Third Period

Marc-Andre Fleury made another unreal save to slide across to rob Jonathan Toews at the backdoor.

Vegas was playing sloppy defense but Fleury was doing everything within his power to stand on his head and keep out the Blackhawks.

Chicago did get on the board, however, with Olli Maatta ripping a shot under the arm of Fleury from inside the circle.

It took until 9:51 for the Golden Knights to record their first shot of the period, while Fleury was standing firm even with his team wilting.

But Fleury did enough to get the win in Game 3 and help give the Golden Knights a 3-0 series lead, with Game 4 slated for Sunday.

Let’s go over some notes and stats…