In Las Vegas Friday night, Erik Haula scored late in the second extra session to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 win and 2-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings.
“I think all of our guys did a great job,” Haula said. “We just kept playing the same way, and that’s what we’ve been talking about the whole time. I think we executed our game 
plan tonight.
“It’s one of the best feelings in sports, I think, is finishing the game in that fashion. It was a long game, and we had a lot of guys who played a lot of minutes. It’s rewarding to come out on top.”
Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves to get the win.
“Midnight is a new day. You can’t get carried away. There’s a lot more to come. They’re definitely tough to play in L.A., so we’ve got to be ready for that. It was a hard game, but it’s fun to get the win.” — Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault
Alex Tuch staked the Knights to their 1-0 lead with his first playoff goal.
“I was screaming for the puck,” Tuch said. “I was open on the side, but I guess Erik was open too. James took both defensemen with him, and he made a great play to Erik. I was coming in late, so he probably didn’t see me, but James made a great play.”
Paul LaDue scored the lone Kings goal in the game and series so far, his first NHL playoff goal as well.
“That’s terrible,” LaDue said. “Especially to work that hard and to go so far in a game, but I think we’re feeling good. We’re happy to be heading home, and we’re going to come out strong.”
The Knights outshot the Kings, 56-30.
[WATCH: All Kings vs. Golden Knights highlights | Complete Golden Knights vs. Kings series coverage]
Jonathan Quick made 54 saves in the loss.
“Obviously, you don’t want to be down 2-0, but we know we can play better and we’re going to have to play better going home,” the Kings’ Anze Kopitar said.
Drew Doughty will return to the Kings’ lineup after his suspension for Game 2.
“I have all the confidence in the world in this hockey club, and I think we’ll rise to the occasion,” LA’s Alec Martinez said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.