Follow @VGK_Buzz Score one for Robin Lehner and the Vegas Golden Knights. The third-year expansion team opened their third consecutive playoff with a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. With what seemed to be no shot at the playoffs, the Blackhawks sent Lehner to the Golden Knights to save money, but ended up paying for it.
After a quickly played and largely uneventful first period, Shea Theodore opened the scoring at 7:22 of the second period. The dynamic defenseman walked down the right side of the Blackhawks' zone and fired a short-side wrist shot over Corey Crawford's glove. It was Theodore's third goal of the postseason.
Fast-forward 1:17 later and William Carrier made the game 2-0, burying a Ryan Reaves rebound. The term stealing may apply better, as Reaves' attempt looked to be on its way across the goal line. After a questionable offsides challenge, Carrier's goal stood and the Hawks went to the PK.
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Jeremy Colliton says the Blackhawks thought Reaves' skate was off the ice so they decided to challenge. Says they trust their penalty kill so it was worth the risk.(Further confirming the new rule is NOT in place.)
Normally a self-induced penalty is a bad thing, but the Blackhawks decided to score their only goal of the evening on that kill. Brandon Saad stripped a retreating Theodore of the puck and found David Kampf with a slick pass out front, for the SHG. With Vegas up 2-1, their unsung hero quickly added an insurance marker 3:32 into the third. Reilly Smith buried a laser of a wrister, that actually went off Crawford's shoulder and into the net. He had some serious mustard on the shot and it paid dividends.
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Such a great quote from Jonathan Marchessault about Reilly Smith being one of the best 2-way forwards: pic.twitter.com/XMalIqf1rL
He followed that up with another goal before the ten minute mark, on a nifty backhand; he was the beneficiary of a great Jonathan Marchessault pass. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Wrong! There were some weird occurrences in this one and I'd hate to gloss over it.
Coach's Challenge:
Furthermore, although it's important to challenge when coaches think they're right, teams can't be flinging it around all willy nilly. The Blackhawks put themselves down a man, while in a 2-0 hole. Lucky for them, Saad made a huge play and Kampf buried his chance.
Jonathan Marchessault, Tough Guy?:
Robin Lehner's Left Skate:
Following the game Lehner shared his frustration and the fact that he's had those skates for over four seasons.
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Guess I have to get new ones.. might as well sharpen them too. 🼠pic.twitter.com/KVCsfNZGYk
Corsi For % : 57.14% Shots For % : 65.12% Scoring Chances For %: 51.43 - despite a 18.18% in the second. High Danger Chances For: 63.64% Expected Goals For %: 55.86% 5-on-5 stats via Natural Stat Trick
Game Two is set for Thursday at 2:30 PDT. Expect to see the same goalies in net for both clubs. Both Crawford and Lehner will need to completely implode to be pulled. Pete DeBoer is clearly a Lehner fan, in order to make the decision to start the Panda and sit the Flower. Many of the big names for the Blackhawks were kept quiet, including two of the biggest, Patrick Kane and Alex Debrincat. Kirby Dach looks incredible for his age and experience and the Golden Knights may see something special from him over this next week.
While you're waiting for Game Two, come find me on Twitter! Check out the links below so you know where to find me!