Stanley In Vegas: Knights Hold On To Defeat Edmonton, 6-4, In Thrilling Game 1 Wednesday Before 18,243
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Omer Khan
It was a classic playoff showdown of Edmonton’s dazzling individual stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl against Vegas’ balanced scoring and depth.
And in Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Semifinals, the match-up unfolded according to the billing.
Draisaitl scored a stunning four goals for Edmonton, including a wizard-like bank shot off of Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit, with only 10 seconds left in the first period.
But the Golden Knights countered with goals from players across their top three lines to claim a 6-4 win before 18,243 Wednesday.
It was a wild and hectic ending to the game matching the Pacific Division’s and conference’s top two teams, with Vegas holding on for the win in the first game of the Best-of-7 series.
VGK center Jack Eichel stripped McDavid of the puck in the final minute, then slid the puck the length of the ice into an open net, sealing the exciting win.
After the game, VGK coach Bruce Cassidy said he expected the team to have a jump in its skating in the first period, but was concerned whether the Knights would have that competitive edge after the off time.
“I liked our performance defensively,” Cassidy said.
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The Golden Knights, playing with a zip in their skating tonight after winning the First Round matchup against Winnipeg last Thursday, broke out to an impressive 3-1 lead against the high-scoring Edmonton Oilers on goals by Ivan Barbashev, Michael Amadio, Mark Stone.
But Edmonton’s Draisaitl pulled off a magic trick of a shot with only 10 seconds left in the first period by perfectly placing a wrister from the goal line past VGK netminder Brossoit and the fast-paced first period ended with the Knights leading, 3-2. Draisaitl had given the Oilers a 1-0 lead before VGK countered with three straight in the first 20 minutes.
The game got off to a rollicking start with WNBA Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson cranking the siren to get things off and skating.
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It’s Round 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. So. ticket prices go up.
Here’s a look at the VGK’s own reseller site. Tickets start at $79, plus fees, so figure at least 100 bucks to get in.
The Knights’ own vendor, Pogoseat, sent out a text alert to fans who signed up for the ticket service for today’s game. The alert said tickets were available for $125 for an upper level seat, $150 for mezzanine and $250 for lower bowl. You have to reply to the text alert to buy those fee-free tickets.
The NHL changed the VGK vs Edmonton game from Friday to Saturday at 4 PM. and that prompted some fans to get refunds for the Friday game that they no longer could attend. It affected both Vegas and Edmonton fans after the NHL’s broadcast partner changed the game day.
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After a wild opening period when five goals were scored, both teams were scoreless in the second period as the Golden Knights entered the third period holding a 3-2 lead.
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Edmonton tied the game at three in the third period when that man Draisaitl scored his third for the hat trick.
But a deflection goal by Barbashev followed by a Chandler Stephenson goal gave the VGK a 5-3 lead.
Draisaitl scored his fourth goal to cut the deficit to 5-4 before Eichel sealed the deal with the empty-netter.
The Knights and Oilers play Game 2 on Saturday here in Las Vegas.
Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft said his team played too loose defensively.
“I don’t think our team was where we needed to be to walk away with a win in the playoffs,” Woodcroft said in his postgame presser.
