Golden Knights Move On With Game Seven 3-0 Win Over Vancouver Friday Behind Lehner’s Third Shutout In Series
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Relief.
The Vegas Golden Knights avoided blowing a 3-1 game lead in an NHL playoff series for a second consecutive season Friday evening and advanced to the Western Conference Finals by beating an upstart and pesky Vancouver Canucks team led by a back-up goalie with the unique name of Thatcher Demko who nearly stole the series and the hearts of VGK faithful.
Demko made an astonishing 98 saves in a row through Games 5, 6 and 7 before VGK’s defenseman Shea Theodore scored on a long shot on a power play with about six minutes to play in period three. Alex Tuch and Paul Stastny added empty-netters to salt away the Game 7 win.
The Knights killed off a five-minute major penalty on forward Ryan Reaves in periods two and three. It reminded VGK fans of a major penalty called the Knights in last season’s Game 7 playoff with the San Jose Sharks in Round 1. The Knights lost that game in 2019, but avoided losing a Game 7 Friday in the NHL pandemic bubble in Edmonton.
VGK goalie Robin Lehner pitched his third shutout in the series. He went to Twitter to express his feelings.
“I need a drink after these last three games,” VGK coach Pete DeBoer noted to media after the game.
It’s Vegas vs Dallas on Sunday.
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