Can it be second time lucky for the Vegas Golden Knights tonight?
The Vegas Golden Knights had a chance to close out this series against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 5 on Tuesday, but an absolutely breathtaking performance from goalie Thatcher Demko put paid to that.
It was a truly heroic outing from Demko in what was his first-ever Stanley Cup Playoffs game, and the Canucks will be determined to make this a seven-game series.
The Skinny
You need your goalie to steal a game or two in each series and the Vancouver Canucks certainly got that from Thatcher Demko in Game 5.
They will need another stand-on-your-head type performance from their goalie, be it Demko or Jacob Markstrom, in Game 6 if they are to stay alive for another day.
The Golden Knights will also need a big outing from their goalie, expected to be Robin Lehner, if they are to close out this series and prepare for either the Dallas Stars or the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals.
Given that the Avs forced a Game 7 in their series, it would be in the best interests of the Golden Knights to get business done tonight so they can have a couple of days of extra rest.
However, and as we’ve stressed before during this series, the Canucks are a good team loaded with young talent and depth while they get very good goaltending.
They are also fearless given that they were not expected to get this far, and that can be a dangerous ingredient in the postseason.
So the Golden Knights, who were dominant in Game 5 but just couldn’t breach the unstoppable Demko, will need to sharpen up on a few things in Game 6 if they are to avoid having to play a Game 7.
Given what is on the line for both teams tonight and how this series has panned out so far, expect an absolute doozy of a Game 6 in Edmonton.
The Canucks will be the home team in tonight’s contest, meaning they will get the last change in the game.
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Projected Lineups
Expect the Golden Knights to ride with Robin Lehner tonight.
The goalie allowed two goals from 17 shots in Game 5 but, with Vegas able to advance tonight, it would be surprising if Head Coach Peter DeBoer didn’t start Lehner given that he’s been the undisputed starter for the vast majority of the postseason.
Other than that, don’t expect any other lineup changes for the Golden Knights.
Here’s the Golden Knights Projected Lineup for Game 6, per nhl.com…
Max Pacioretty – William Karlsson – Mark Stone
Jonathan Marchessault – Paul Stastny – Reilly Smith
Nick Cousins – Nicolas Roy – Alex Tuch
William Carrier – Chandler Stephenson – Ryan Reaves
Robin Lehner
Jacob Markstrom or Thatcher Demko?
The Canucks have a decision to make in Game 6.
Demko made his postseason debut in Game 5 on Tuesday and was sensational, stopping 42 of the 43 shots he faced in what was a stunning performance.
So, does Vancouver stick with Demko for Game 6 in the hope of catching lightning in a bottle?
That is the most likely option given that Markstrom is currently rated as day-to-day with a groin injury.
Markstrom has been very good inside The Bubble, putting up a 2.85 Goals Against Average and a .919 Save Percentage in 14 starts.
This is the Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup for Game 6, per nhl.com…
J.T. Miller – Elias Pettersson – Brock Boeser
Tanner Pearson – Bo Horvat – Tyler Toffoli
Antoine Roussel – Adam Gaudette – Brandon Sutter
Tyler Motte – Jay Beagle – Jake Virtanen
Alexander Edler – Troy Stecher
Quinn Hughes – Christopher Tanev
Oscar Fantenberg – Tyler Myers
Thatcher Demko
Team Leaders
Vegas Golden Knights Postseason Leaders
Mark Stone: 15 points (6 G, 9 A)
Shea Theodore: 15 points (5 G, 10 A)
Reilly Smith: 12 points (4 G, 8 A)
Alex Tuch: 9 points (7 G, 2 A)
William Karlsson: 8 points (3 G, 5 A)
Vancouver Canucks Postseason Leaders
Elias Pettersson: 18 points (7 G, 11 A)
J.T. Miller: 16 points (5 G, 11 A)
Quinn Hughes: 14 points (1 G, 13 A)
Bo Horvat: 11 points (9 G, 2 A)
Brock Boeser: 11 points (4 G, 7 A)
Postseason Stats
- Power Play: VGK: 22.2% (7th) – VAN: 22.9% (6th)
- Penalty Kill: VGK: 85.4% (6th) – VAN: 79.0% (15th)
- Faceoff: VGK: 44.1% (23rd) – VAN: 55.3% (2nd)
- GF/GP: VGK: 3.54 (3rd) – VAN: 2.93 (9th)
- GA/GP: VGK: 2.38 (2nd) – VAN: 2.80 (12th)
Prediction
I think the Canucks will give everything they’ve got in another do-or-die scenario, but the overall experience and star power of this Golden Knights roster will prove too much.
Vegas will get the job done in Game 6 and advance through to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years.
Game Info
Puck Drop: 6:45 p.m. PT
Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton
TV: NBCSN
Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340