In Edmonton, Elias Pettersson broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Vancouver Canucks to a Game 5 win on Tuesday to climb to within one game of tying the Vegas Golden Knights.
“We’re been playing with each other all season, we have good chemistry, and I think it was good that we switched up the lines because the first two periods weren’t good from our side,” Pettersson said. “The coach made some changes, and it worked out.”
Pettersson struck for the game-winner in the third period for the 2-1 final.
Thatcher Demko got the start for the Canucks and was busy, he made 42 saves for the win.
“It’s special … it’s my first time being in the playoffs,” Demko said. “It’s a unique circumstance (with goalie Jacob Markstrom being unfit to play), but playoffs nonetheless, and this is what I’ve wanted to be a part of since I was a kid, so being able to get this opportunity is super special. I want to just keep helping any way I can.”
Shea Theodore put the Golden Knights ahead 1-0 in the second period.
“We just have to take a look at some video,” Theodore said. “There were some mistakes that ended up in the back of our net, and those can’t happen this time of year. We just kind of have to refocus and get ready for the next one.”
Brock Boeser tied the game for Vancouver at 15:36, just 25 seconds after Vegas had taken the lead.
“I know I haven’t been scoring and I know I need to score goals, but I’ve been trying to bring my work ethic each and every game and contribute something to the team,” Boeser said. “It was nice to get one, it’ll definitely help the confidence.”
The goal came off a nifty hard pass from JT Miller on the left boards to Boeser on a give-and-go.
“I think we got a really good team, we know that,” Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes said. “The coaching staff believes in us, and most importantly we believe in ourselves. We have good leadership, we knew we didn’t play well in the first two periods, knew we had to push a little bit.
“The next game, it’ll be important to do that for 60 minutes. But there’s a lot of faith in the group. We know they’re a good team, but we know we’re a good team too.”
Game 6 is set for Thursday night.
[WATCH: All Canucks vs. Golden Knights Game 5 highlights]
Robin Lehner faced just 17 shots and made 15 saves in the loss.
“[Demko] had a good game,” Lehner said. “I thought Vancouver played a little bit better defensively to limit our odd-man rushes against them. I think they played five guys pretty tight and kept us to the outside. We had our moments where we really pushed and got some good opportunities, and [Demko] was there to save them. We just have to go to the next game, and we’ll be fine.”
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