(Las Vegas) We didn’t know Adin Hill so much before the start of these series, but now we’re starting to know him.
Presumably the Florida Panthers are getting to know him too, especially after that raucous Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and especially after that first game of the Finals, which the Golden Knights won by the score of 5-2. Not bad thanks to Adin Hill.
In particular, Nick Cousins is presumed to be remembered for a long time, because Hill’s second-period stick save was perhaps the most dramatic save of the 2023 playoffs. It’s the kind of case that can keep you up all night.
PHOTO JOHN LOCHER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) blocks a shot by Florida Panthers Nick Cousins (21) during the second period of the game.
He was fantastic like that during all the series. It’s gone that no one here is surprised anymore, because we expect him to make this kind of save every game.
Shea Theodore on his goalie
At the end of the evening, the Golden Knights goalkeeper had a hard time moving in front of his locker, there were so many cameras piling up in front of him. Which is still funny, because just a few months ago the cameras didn’t want to hear about him, the career reservist.
“I was a little nervous during the presentation of the players, but it’s good to be nervous, explained the once unknown goalkeeper. But all this is nothing new for us; I feel like we spent the year preparing for this moment. »
In fact, Hill was so good that the Panthers spent a good part of the evening playing under the influence of frustration, while chaining the meanness in the process; here, a glove to the face from Matthew Tkachuk while his victim is already in someone else’s arms. There, an unexpected knee from Radko Gudas against Mark Stone, after the Golden Knights’ second goal, that of Theodore.
This is not the kind of evening that visitors wanted.
“Guys who play the same”
“At some point, Tkachuk kicked me, so I kicked him too,” explained Jonathan Marchessault. I shouldn’t have done that because it agitates him and excites him. With guys who play the same, you don’t have to get into that. »
The Quebec forward, who by his own admission did not play a great game, still managed the first goal for the Golden Knights, a goal that set the tone and reignited the fire here inside.
This was his 10e goal in their last 11 games in this playoff.
“It’s fun, it’s a goal that felt good, he summed up. [Sergei] Bobrovsky is very good on low shots, so you have to go to the net to disturb him. But that’s okay; if I didn’t score any goals and we won the same, I would be happy. »
And then at the end, at the final siren, it was in a really, really noisy arena that the Golden Knights were able to leave the ice with an air of victory.
Here, of course hockey is spectacle, of course we throw powder (shiny and golden) in the eyes, but on the ice, at least, there is a team that knows how to play hockey in this arena . The Panthers had another proof.
Too bad, on the other hand, that it all had to be concluded a little in the tumult, with players who wanted to quarrel, and others who wanted to “prepare” the next game, as a proud tradition of hockey requires. in this league.
It didn’t bother Jonathan Marchessault too much.
“It’s silly to start doing that when it’s 4-2 at the end of the game, he explained. We played winning hockey. But that’s not surprising; if it wasn’t for the intensity, it wouldn’t be a Stanley Cup Finals game…”
Rising
Adin Hill
The Golden Knights goaltender made 33 saves, and he was imperial.
Falling
Matthew Tkachuk
We felt the Panthers forward was a little too frustrated, and more interested in pecking others than playing hockey.
The number
7
The number of shots made by Mark Stone, who collected a goal.