Marc-Andre Fleury – File photo by Jack Lima
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Las Vegas Golden Knights broke out early before the home crowd, and held on until the end, to earn the game three win in the Western Conference Final, with a final score of 4-2 over the Winnipeg Jets.
The Golden Knights put their first goal on the board only 35 seconds into the game, when Jonathan Marchessault received a pass from Brayden McNabb, and raced towards the net to score a backhanded shot past Connor Hellebuyck in the Jets net.
Jonathan Marchessault – File photo by Jack Lima
In the second period, Mark Scheifele scored his thirteenth goal of the post season, when he deflected the puck between the post and Marc-Andre Fleury’s skate to even the score at one. But it wouldn’t last long, as only 13 seconds later, the Golden Knights’ James Neal took a pass from Erik Haula, while Hellebuyck was out of position, to send the puck to the back of the net. Alex Tuck scored on a one-timer from in front of the net at 8:13 to extend the score to 3-1.
Only 49 seconds into the third period Scheifele scored his second goal of the game, following a pass from the boards behind the net, where he slips it past Fleury from the side to close the gap at 3-2.
James Neal – File photo by Jack Lima
Despite several great shots and even better saves by Fleury in the net, as he turned away 16 shots on goal throughout the remainder of the third period, the Jets could not find a way to solve him.
With just over a minute remaining, the Jets pulled Hellebuyck for the extra skater. But a loose puck in the zone was cleared, and ultimately went down towards the net, where Marchesault went around the backside of the net to score the empty net goal with 2.6 seconds on the clock. At the final buzzer, several players dropped their gloves and grabbed a partner before the officials could break it up. However, no penalties were assessed.
The next game will be Friday, May 18 in Las Vegas.
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