Wednesday Knight Wisdom: Vegas Golden Knights Playoff Edition
The playoffs are in full swing! Here are your Wednesday tidbits and what's happening in the NHL.
Playoff hockey is underway, with the defending champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, hitting the ice. Their opponent, the Dallas Stars, isn't a walkover, though. After all, they're the top team in the Western Conference, sitting pretty at 113 points.
However, the Golden Knights have gotten their series in a stranglehold, holding a 2-0 lead against the top dogs in the West. Behind a stellar performance by Logan Thompson, the Golden Knights head back to Sin City with the chance to put the series away for good. With a 3-1 victory in Game 2, life's god for the defending champions.
It was also an uptick in shots for the Golden Knights, with Vegas bumping up their previous total from Game 1 (15). In Game 2? They had 26, which is much more significant than 15. The added offensive pressure generated by the Golden Knights helped them weather an early storm from Dallas for a decisive Game 2 victory. After enduring the shot barrage from the Stars in Game 1, the Golden Knights reeled it in and pitched a better defensive performance.
In a game where goaltending took precedence over everything else, just having that extra goal late in the second period from Noah Hanifin saved the Golden Knights. Yes, that sounds like a Booger McFarland statement. However, it's the truth since goals were at a premium compared to Game 1. That's why the Golden Knights have an incredible system to keep their goaltender upright.
Sadly, the world doesn't revolve around the Vegas Golden Knights, for there are 15 other playoff teams in the NHL. After all, that's why they have the Stanley Cup playoffs. Therefore, it's time to look at the other teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ugh...
So, what's happening aroun the league? Has there been a former Golden Knight that scored on Wednesday? There's a reason why the Stanley Cup playoffs are so exciting for hockey fans everywhere. It's unpredictable, and every team has a chance to go all the way. Let's jump into some Wednesday "Knight" Wisdom!
1. Around the League
It appears the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a familiar position, falling to the Boston Bruins in Game 3, 4-2. Behind Brad Marchand's two goals and an assist, the Bruins retook home-ice advantage from the Maple Leafs, re-establishing control of the series in the process.
It was also thanks to Jeremy Swayman's big performance (28 saves, .933 save percentage) that led to hugs all around for Boston. The goaltender shook off a first-period goal from Matthew Knies, keeping himself under control for the rest of the game. Now? Toronto has their backs against the wall, with opposing fans starting to bring up that dreaded five-letter word again: Curse.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings found themselves with the daunting task of trying to contain Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. That's never an easy task, especially with the Oilers' lineup being revamped. So what's a team to do against a tough group like Edmonton?
Well, you go toe-to-toe with that juggernaut, putting up four goals in regulation. Then, you have Anze Kopitar stun the Oilers in overtime, propelling the Kings to a 5-4 overtime victory. For the Los Angeles Kings, they have a mountain to climb in Edmonton with all their star power. However, a Game 2 overtime victory might be the fuel needed to shock the Oilers--and the hockey world.
2. Did Any Former Vegas Golden Knights Score?
Unfortunately, no former Vegas Golden Knights scored a goal tonight, leaving fans without anything to secretly cheer for. However, a good Game 2 victory against the top team in the Western Conference easily overrides that sadness. It's on to Game 3 for the Golden Knights, with the Fortress awaiting the Dallas Stars.
However, the sworn enemy of former Golden Knight, Ryan Reaves, scored on Tuesday. Tom Wilson added a goal for the Washington Capitals, making Game 2 a close contest. However, it was the New York Rangers that overwhelmed the underwhelming Capitals, 4-3, giving them a commanding 2-0 lead.
If Golden Knights fans wanted to go a step further, their Stanley Cup foe from last season is also up 2-0. The Florida Panthers, behind Matthew Tkachuk's goal and two assists (along with some acrobatics from Sergei Bobrovsky), are in cruise control against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
So what are the Tampa Bay Lightning to do against last year's Eastern Conference champions? It seems the Lightning aren't getting any younger, with a new, younger Florida team taking the Sunshine State throne. In fact, the Atlantic Division's getting tougher with newcomers like the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres hitting the scene. If last year's run was any indication, the Panthers (along with their rats) are here to stay, while Tampa Bay is on their way out.
3. Has Jonathan Marchessault Been Extended Yet?
No, but he has two goals in the series, including a breakaway feed from Jack Eichel as the equalizer. Jonathan Marchessault is proving he's a clutch piece for the Vegas Golden Knights with every passing goal he scores.
Therefore, it would be hard to ignore the Quebec native's feats on the ice. What do you give the reigning Conn Smythe winner who's dominating the playoffs once again? Why, that playoff MVP should get a good contract to return to the Golden Knights, right?
But imagine what would happen if Marchessault won another Conn Smythe trophy. If the Golden Knights won another Stanley Cup thanks to Marchessault, the public would demand that he be extended. The fans would be out on Las Vegas Boulevard holding up picket signs, demanding the winger to be extended. Is this the future Kelly McCrimmon wants?
Let's face it: The 33-year-old deserves to end his career with the Vegas Golden Knights. He's an original "Misfit" and gave the Golden Knights 42 goals this season. If Marchessault is wearing another uniform that isn't gold next season, Las Vegas will lose their collective minds. It's time to pay Marchessault and let him ride off in the sunset as a Golden Knight.
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