3 Takeaways From the Vegas Golden Knights Winning Game 6
Nobody said it'd be easy. But the Vegas Golden Knights shut out the Dallas Stars on Friday, 2-0.
Okay, Vegas Golden Knights fans. It's time to breathe and exhale. Unclench those butt cheeks and relax for a couple of days because the Golden Knights have won Game 6 against the Dallas Stars. With a decisive 2-0 victory, the series shifts back to Dallas on Sunday for a do-or-die Game 7.
Nobody said this would be an easy game to win. That certainly wasn't the case when both Dallas and Vegas were going back and forth on scoring opportunities in the second period. It seemed like the next goal would be the winner. What's the thing they call that? Oh, right. Overtime.
It felt like Game 7, with the game going into overtime. Tensions were high and the Golden Knights had a sense of urgency. That led to a chip on their shoulders, where they dominated the neutral zone and turned Dallas's game plan against them.
This resulted in Noah Hanifin kicking off the scoring in the third period. 1-0, Golden Knights. Now, things are cookin' and the fans are fully on board. It's a matter of staving off the Stars and eating up the clock. That's how Vegas would force a Game 7 against the Western Conference's best team.
But a funny thing happened. The defending Stanley Cup champions played like, well, champions. They played a proactive "keep away" game, not letting the puck through their vicious wall. The Golden Knights forecheck picked up the slack, with an additional goal sealing the deal.
But now comes the hard part: Winning Game 7 in Dallas on Sunday. That means duplicating that effort and moving on to the next round. Meanwhile, there are some takeaways from the Vegas Golden Knights winning Game 6 tonight. Here are three takeaways from Vegas's crucial victory on Friday.
1. Adin Hill Was Spectacular
It seems like Bruce Cassidy will be sticking with Adin Hill until further notice. Why? Because the goaltender shut out a high-powered Dallas Stars team, stopping all 23 shots on goal. He delivered a performance of a lifetime against the Western Conference's best team, forcing a Game 7 in the process.
That included a wild sequence, where Hill made three consecutive stops in the second period. He robbed an incoming Tyler Seguin, who stole a pass from Zach Whitecloud. With the Calgary native using everything in his arsenal (including his own blocker and stick), the Vegas Golden Knights hung on for the 2-0 victory.
Now, the Golden Knights have two viable options at goaltender. If Hill is hit with an injury, Logan Thompson can come in to save the day. Thompson has also proven his worth throughout the series, which included a 43-save effort in Game 3. It's a win-win for the Golden Knights heading into Game 7 (and possibly beyond).
If the Golden Knights somehow win the series because of Hill, fans will look back at the moment Bruce Cassidy pulled the trigger. It will be remembered as a gutsy call, meant to stir some emotions in a previously dormant team. Now, Vegas is feeling better about themselves, heading to Dallas for a winner-take-all game. Here's a fun fact: Jake Oettinger has posted a home save percentage of .898 with a GA/G of 2.78 at American Airlines Center.
2. The Forecheck Was Much Better for the Vegas Golden Knights
Of course, Adin Hill wouldn't have won Game 6 without some defensive help. The Vegas Golden Knights got back to Cassidy's forechecking game plan, playing back and clogging lanes. As a result, it led to takeaways and numerous opportunities for Vegas.
In fact, the Golden Knights outgained the Dallas Stars in takeaways, 9-5, in Game 6. It was a testament to playing their gritty defensive brand of hockey. This was also complimented by the Golden Knights outhitting the Stars, 29-20.
By using their size advantage over Dallas, Vegas found it easier to break down their opponent. That was made evident when Noah Hanifin fired a shot from the side, sneaking one past Oettinger. It resulted in the "ice" being broken and the Golden Knights taking a 1-0 lead.
After that goal was where the Vegas Golden Knights were shining brightest. They spent their time stifling Dallas on the defensive end, blocking shots and creating rushes. That led to the Golden Knights eating up precious time to eventually defeat the Stars. Overall, it was a terrific effort by the defending champions, who showed why they were on top last season.
3. The Third Period Woes Are Gone (For Now)
Entering Game 6, the Vegas Golden Knights had just one third period goal throughout the series. That goal was a Jack Eichel empty-netter in Game 2, which gave the Golden Knights the 2-0 series lead. With Game 6 scoreless entering the third, that didn't bode well for Vegas.
Yet, the Golden Knights responded to the challenge thanks to Noah Hanifin's goal. However, their best work came after the goal, where the urgency truly kicked in. With Hill cracking down on open opportunities and Vegas cracking down on entering the zone late, the Golden Knights found a way to put the game out of reach.
It was also the little things the Golden Knights did well, including staying in their offensive zone with less than two minutes in the game. That kept Jake Oettinger in the net, limiting the Dallas Stars's attack with the extra man. The result? An empty net goal from Mark Stone sealed the deal, with Game 7 happening on Sunday in Dallas.
Sometimes, it takes just one step to make progress. Whether that's getting help for a problem or starting a new project, that one step can change everything. For the Golden Knights, it got them to a Game 7, where they can take another big step by winning on Sunday.
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