The Dallas Stars faced the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference Finals rematch on Monday night. The Stars lost 4-3 to the Golden Knights in Game 1 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas fell to 0-1, while Vegas improved to 1-0.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, Evgenii Dadonov, Chris Tanev, Esa Lindell, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 11 saves in the loss. Meanwhile, Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson made 27 saves in their victory.
The first period didn’t really go in the Stars’ favor. Sam Steel was called for high-sticking Nicolas Roy in the cheek just 26 seconds in. Golden Knights captain Mark Stone scored a power-play goal on a tipped shot for an early 1-0 lead at 1:23. Stone returned to the Golden Knights’ starting lineup after lacerating his spleen on February 20th. Noah Hanifin and Jack Eichel collected the assists on Stone’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars had a bad string of luck. Nicolas Roy was called for slashing against Stars captain Jamie Benn at 3:02, but the Stars couldn’t capitalize on the power play. Ryan Suter scored what looked like an equalizer on a snap shot to tie the game 1-1 at 7:17. But, after further review, his goal was waived due to offsides.
The Golden Knights took a two-goal lead. Jonathan Marchessault blasted a snap shot into the Stars’ net for a 2-0 lead at 8:27. Ivan Barbashev collected the lone assist on Marchessault’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars cut the lead in half. Stars captain Jamie Benn tucked in a backhand shot to cut the Golden Knights’ lead to 2-1 at 16:07. Wyatt Johnston collected the lone assist on Benn’s first of the playoffs.
The Golden Knights restored the two-goal lead. Mason Marchment was called for hooking against Shea Theodore at 17:48. Tomas Hertl tucked in a backhand shot for a power-play goal and a 3-1 lead at 17:51.
The Stars made it a one-goal game. Jason Robertson fired a wrist shot into the Golden Knights’ net to cut the lead to 3-2 at 18:29. Logan Stankoven collected the lone assist on Robertson’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars trailed the Golden Knights 3-2 at the end of the first period. Dallas outshot Vegas 10-9 after 20 minutes.
The Golden Knights wasted little time opening the second-period scoring. Brayden McNabb blasted a snap shot past Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger to extend the Golden Knights’ lead to 4-2 at 1:06. Jack Eichel collected the lone assist on McNabb’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars couldn’t capitalize on the power play to pull within one goal after Zach Whitecloud was called for holding against Tyler Seguin at 6:58.
The Stars trailed the Golden Knights 4-2 at the end of two periods. Dallas outshot Vegas 20-11 through 40 minutes.
The Stars made it a one-goal game again. Mason Marchment fired a wrist shot into the Golden Knights’ net to cut the lead to 4-3 at 11:46. Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger collected the assists on Marchment’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but couldn’t capitalize on the 6-on-5. The Golden Knights held on for a 4-3 win over the Stars. Dallas outshot Vegas 30-15 after 60 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Brayden McNabb (1 point: 1 goal)
2. Jack Eichel (2 points: 2 assists)
3. Jamie Benn (1 point: 1 goal)
Up Next
The Stars and Golden Knights will meet again in Game 2 on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Central.
ITR 49: For Real This Time – Inside The Rink
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