3 Takeaways From Game 5's Loss for the Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights find themselves one game away from being eliminated. Here are three takeaways from a pivotal Game 5.
There are plenty of things to be said about the Vegas Golden Knights after Game 5. They're screwed, they're in a tight spot, and they're about to be eliminated. Losing 3-2 to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday warrants these phrases, for the Golden Knights have looked flat in the past three games.
Heading into Game 3? All happy and mighty, with the Golden Knights sticking their chests out, heading into T-Mobile Arena.
Game 4? Yes, Dallas might've gotten a game. But it's all good, with the Golden Knights having another game at T-Mobile Arena.
Game 5? Now they're worried. The Stars have momentum and life, heading back to Texas with a chip on their shoulder.
Game 6? Well, the Golden Knights better come up with a win at the "Fortress." Otherwise, they're hitting the golf course in May and teeing it up. That's not a place where the defending champions want to be.
Yet, here we are, with emotions, poor decisions, and bad play unraveling the team before everyone's eyes. Take a pick from any of the problems plaguing the Golden Knights now. Want to talk about the bad penalties that are feeding the sixth-best power play unit in the NHL this season? That's a good starting point.
What about having just one third period goal throughout the series? That's kept the Stars in the game throughout the series, with the Vegas Golden Knights being lucky they weren't swept. Or perhaps it was Adin Hill getting the start over a solid Logan Thompson in Game 5.
Whatever the case is, the Golden Knights are in trouble and they need answers immediately. The Dallas Stars are turning the tables and controlling the Golden Knights at every turn. Whether it's pushing the puck through the neutral zone or creating an array of high-danger chances, Dallas looks like the better team. With that, here are three takeaways from Vegas's Game 5 loss.
1. Should the Vegas Golden Knights Have Started Logan Thompson?
Logan Thompson has played incredibly well for the Vegas Golden Knights this series. The Calgary native has a save percentage of .921 and a GA/G of 2.35. That includes a fantastic 43-save performance in Game 3, where Thompson kept the Golden Knights in the game. In fact, the game went to overtime thanks to the goaltender, who had no problem stopping breakaways with ease.
So why did Bruce Cassidy pull Thompson in favor of Adin Hill? Apparently, it was due to Hill's "playoff experience," with Hill being the more seasoned veteran. It led to numerous fans scratching their heads about the decision, with some questioning Cassidy's cognitive ways.
Bruce Cassidy confirms Adin Hill is in.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) May 1, 2024
Said Thompson played well and got the team in a good spot, but ultimately the decision came down to Hill’s playoff experience. He said Hill has been here before and that played a role.
While that sounds dandy and all, experience isn't going to win hockey games for teams all the time. Sometimes, it'll be the hot hand that prevails, which would be Logan Thompson. Hill made 22 saves in the Game 5 loss, which wasn't overwhelmingly awful. However, it was a deciding factor that has now put the team in a tough position.
Some will say that Wyatt Johnston's Game 3 overtime winner was the straw that broke the Golden Knights's back. Some will point at the next play as having that designation. However, there's an argument to be made that taking out the hot goaltender who posted a save percentage of .880 in March (.845 in April, too) isn't the right move.
2. Alex Pietrangelo Might've Cost the Vegas Golden Knights Their Season
In the second period, Alex Pietrangelo got into a scrum with Tyler Seguin. It led to the defenseman backhanding the Dallas Stars player, leading to a minor penalty. Now, Pietrangelo avoided getting a major out of the ordeal. However, the penalty did lead to the game-winning goal for the Stars from Jason Robertson.
That moment might also be the defining moment for the Golden Knights's season. It capped off a tumultuous second period, where Vegas let their frustrations boil over. That has been the case for the past three games, where the Golden Knights have let their emotions dictate the game instead of their usually constrictive style. As a result, their backs are against the wall, as they play against Jake Oettinger, who's been phenomenal on the road this season.
Of course, Pietrangelo is no stranger to such tactics. Last season against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, he slashed Leon Draisaitl. That warranted a hearing from the NHL Player's Safety Committee, who suspended him for a game. The Golden Knights might've won that series against Edmonton. But this time seems a little bit different.
While the defenseman might get in some trouble with Gary Bettman, he might be in deeper trouble with the Vegas Golden Knights. Such a bad penalty could be the deciding factor for the Golden Knights. With Vegas down to their last game (or two), it might've hurt the team's chances to repeat.
3. Third Time's Not the Charm
As mentioned earlier, the third period hasn't been kind to the Vegas Golden Knights this series. With only one goal throughout, it's raising questions about whether the group is winded from going hard in the earlier periods.
That would be a fair question to ask the Golden Knights. For example, the Dallas Stars dominated Game 3 offensively, with 53% of the offensive time being devoted to the Stars. That dedication has led to the Golden Knights breaking down, leaving them winded and tired. In Game 3, Vegas didn't spend much time attacking the net, leaving Wyatt Johnston to turn the series around.
Throughout the series, the Stars have controlled the offensive play. That includes expected goals (20.27 to 12.46), scoring chances (178 to 119), and high-danger chances (81-43). Overall, DeBoer's squad has taken control of the series, using their offensive depth to pound Vegas into oblivion. As a result, the Golden Knights are fortunate to be down 3-2.
The Vegas Golden Knights being bad in the third period might come from many things. It could be from a post-Stanley Cup hangover that left the team drained. It might be from the constant traveling the team's done, spanning two time zones. Or it could just be that Pete DeBoer and the Dallas Stars are leaving the Golden Knights on their heels. Add in an improving Jake Oettinger and the Stars are suddenly looking much more formidable. That's bad news for the defending champions, who might not have that prestigious title for too long.
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