Stars 3 – Golden Knights 4 (P) | Did we forget the Golden Knights?

We spent the season so moved by the omnipotence of the Eastern teams and repeating that “anything is possible” in the West that we ended up forgetting how much the Vegas Golden Knights form a good hockey team.

The first duel of this conference final, won in overtime by the Knights 4-3, confirmed to us that a long battle was beginning. Exciting game, speed, effective counter-attacks; despite the hour, we were not bored.

This game also reminded us that yes, the Knights must be considered serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. We had a taste of it in the first round, against the Winnipeg Jets which imploded, it is true. It clarified in the next round when the Knights disposed of the Edmonton Oilers, yet seen as the favorites. And it was confirmed Friday night against the Stars.

We often talk about the famous “depth”, so precious in the playoffs. The first line, although having played very well, in particular thanks to an inspired Jack Eichel, was cleared. The prolific Teddy Blueger gave the team the lead in the third period.

And Brett Howden, author of 13 points in the season, was the hero of the game by ridiculing Jake Oettinger, who is still looking for the puck as you read these lines.

A look at the game sheet confirms that head coach Bruce Cassidy, despite a close match as possible, used his entire squad with consistency. On defense, in a game played almost entirely five-on-five, everyone played at least 19 minutes. In attack, only one skater (Jonathan Marchessault) exceeded the threshold of 20.

This is not a statistical anomaly. Since the start of the playoffs, 88 players have averaged 20 minutes or more per game in the NHL. That includes just two Vegas reps, two defensemen to boot.

No other team spreads their ice time more. In stark contrast, the Florida Panthers have nine players in the 20 club.

On Friday, that resulted in a dominance of the hosts, who doubled their opponent in terms of chances of scoring and expected goals to five against five, according to the compilation of the site Natural Stat Trick. The Stars pushed hard, especially in the third. But it was the Knights who mostly imposed the tempo.

No one doubts the Stars will bounce back quickly. But the message from Mark Stone, Jack Eichel and all their friends was loud and clear. In the city of the game, they do not end up there by chance.

Oettinger shaken

This match also saw another trend continue. It is not during these 2023 series that the theory of the primacy of goalkeepers will gain new followers.

Ordinary against the Seattle Kraken in the second round, Jake Oettinger picked up where he left off. The one who had yet been imperial in the playoffs last year, in a sample of only seven games it is true, is far from convincing. We mentioned it, but the goal in overtime probably robbed him of minutes of sleep.

He is not the sole architect of his club’s misfortune, but we are looking for the authority he has imposed in net over the past two seasons.

At 24, he is promised a brilliant career. He literally has everything to succeed. But he will have to steal at least one game in this series. The next, for example.

200 feet from him, Adin Hill continued to demonstrate his somewhat wobbly style, but his efficiency is undeniable. A deflection from Jason Robertson, a sublime shot from Roope Hintz and the presence of Jamie Benn on a 47^e back at the end of the third will have got the better of him. Otherwise, he stood up. That’s what is expected of him, basically.

That’s his save percentage at .930 after that game. It looks a bit like that, a playoff keeper.