In Edmonton, the Vegas Golden Knights saw the Dallas Stars Game 1 shutout and raised it in a Game 2, 3-0, whitewash to tie the series, 1-1.
“We didn’t play our game in Game 1,” Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer said. “Tonight, we got our game back, and once we got that first goal, I thought we looked like we normally do, which is making plays and sticking pucks in the net.”
Robin Lehner made 24 saves to get the win.
“It was good. I thought we played a very good game,” Lehner said. “Guys were ready from the start. We outcompeted them today and played a [heck] of a game, so it made it a little easier for me.”
Paul Stastny opened the scoring in the middle frame for all the offense Lehner and the Knights would need.
“I think everybody was gripping their stick a little tight,” Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson said. “We’re at our best when we have that swagger and can make plays … so it was nice to get that mojo back tonight and even the series.”
William Karlsson struck for a goal to make it 2-0 and Tomas Nosek added a strike late in the second for the game’s final score.
“We have a lot of great players, pretty good players, so someone has to stay out sometimes,” Nosek said. “I just try to stay ready, keep focusing and work hard every practice, and if the chance comes, I’ll be ready and do my best.”
Karlsson’s goal was a power play marker
“We expected them to come out hard and respond,” Dallas’ Tyler Seguin said. “They’re a great hockey team. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot on some plays tonight and gave them some goals. Vegas is a great team. They’ve been the favorites all along. You expected them to respond. I expect us to respond next game.”
Game 3 is set for Thursday in Edmonton.
“We hung on in the first period, kept it 0-0 thanks to [Khudobin], and we had a couple of chances in the second period, but eventually when you’re on your heels, you’re going to get scored on, and we did,” the Stars’ Mattias Janmark said. “They were in charge all game; last game, we were in charge, I felt like. That’s the big difference.”
[WATCH: All Stars vs. Golden Knights Game 2 highlights]
Anton Khudobin made 24 saves and yielded the three goals in the second period.
“He got killed in that second period,” Dallas head coach Rick Bowness said. “Give him a breather, and you hope it’ll spark some life into the guys. You put a kid in the net for his first NHL action, and you hope it’ll spark some life. We had a better third period. Anton was the only reason it was 3-0. Without Anton, that’s 6-0 after the second period.”
Jake Oettinger made five saves in the third period after relieving Khudobin .
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