3 Takeaways From Game 5's Loss for the Vegas Golden Knights

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.