Breathe, Vegas Golden Knights fans. The series is finally over.
It wasn't easy. However, life was never meant to be easy. That's why you play to win the game.
The Golden Knights edged the Minnesota Wild, 3-2, eliminating Minnesota in the process.
They got a strong power play showing thanks to Shea Theodore. He sniped a shot in the high slot to put the Golden Knights up 1-0.
One problem the Golden Knights have had is late goals. Mind you, Ryan Hartman, the man who almost scored the game-winner in Game 5, scored with four seconds left. However, it wasn't enough as the Golden Knights eventually broke away for the win.
Again, breathe in and breathe out. Minnesota is no more.
After the Wild were eliminated, there was a long-standing ovation for legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The former "Misfit" had an illustrious 21-year career with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights, winning three Stanley Cups and a Vezina Trophy along the way. Have a happy retirement, Flower. You earned it.
It took a Herculean effort for the Golden Knights to finally eliminate the Wild. But they did it behind key components. How did Vegas put Minnesota to rest? What things must the Golden Knights work on before the next round?
The Vegas Golden Knights top line stands strong
Breathe, folks. Jack Eichel has arrived and he took over the series. He might've disappeared for the first three games. But he came back with a vengeance in the last three.
Eichel has emerged as a scoring threat in the latter half of the series. He got a second-period goal with an assist from *GASP* Mark Stone. That gave Vegas much-needed confidence heading into the third period. Not to be outdone, Stone got a goal of his own in the third period.
Adin Hill also had a spectacular game by enduring an onslaught of shots from the Minnesota Wild. He stopped 29 of 31 shots, turning in a vintage postseason Hill performance. He's no longer a Hill. He's a mountain.
All this came from a veteran team that's been there before. They know what it takes to win a big series, whether it's by favorable circumstances or when their backs are against the wall. That's what it takes to win a Stanley Cup.
What the Vegas Golden Knights must improve
When you're playing to eliminate a team, you must play the full 60 minutes (or more). That's been a major problem this season for the Golden Knights, who've seen lapses in their play in the waning minutes. That's not winning you the Stanley Cup any time soon.
That's especially true when facing teams like the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, or other high-caliber teams. They will make you pay with skilled players, specifically if they milk a lot of time in their offensive zone.
There's also the even strength play that must improve. Sure, you can rely on the power play to carry you through most games. But what if the referees aren't calling anything, regardless of how hard you try to draw penalties? There will be games like this in the Stanley Cup playoffs, where teams will outshoot you midway through the second period, 12-6. Find a way to get more zone entries and put your opponent on your heels.
Breathe. Do a little dance. If you need to let out some gas, do so. This series is finally over. The boys managed to pull off a victory in a hard-fought series. It wasn't easy thanks to a constricting forecheck, minimal entries, and the duo of Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov (10 combined goals). However, it's time to move on and see who your opponent is next.