Golden Knights Defeat Canucks in Game 4 of 2nd Round

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Vancouver Canucks in Game 4 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Golden Knights also won Game 3 with a score of 3-0. Here is the recap of Game 4 between the Golden Knights and Canucks.

Scratches

Vancouver: Louis Domingue, Olli Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty, Zack MacEwen, Jordie Benn, Micheal Ferland, Jalen Chatfield, Justin Bailey, Tyler Graovac, Loui Eriksson

Vegas:  Nick Holden, Deryk Engelland, Peyton Krebs, Tomas Nosek, Keegan Kolesar, Gage Quinney, Dylan Coghlan, Nicolas Hague, Oscar Dansk, Reid Duke, Patrick Brown

1st Period

This was by far the most high intense games this series. The Golden Knights went on the power play and got a goal just before the midway point of the period from forward Max Pacioretty. But, the Canucks went on their own power play not long after and forward Elias Pettersson tied the game at one. However, the Golden Knights wouldn’t be denied as forward Chandler Stephenson regained the lead back for his team. It was back and forth action from both sides and the game got more intense the periods after.

Vegas went into the second period with a 2-1 lead.

2nd Period

The Canucks didn’t want to be down 3-1 in this series so they pushed the pace of their game and scored two unanswered goals to get their first lead of the game. Forwards Bo Horvat and Tyler Toffoli scored the Canucks two goals. This would also be the first time in this series that a lead has switched from one team to another. The winner of the first three games was determined by who scored first. Though, the Golden Knights had most of the momentum going their way it would be the Canucks that would capitalize on their scoring chances.

Vancouver went into the third period with a 3-2 lead.

3rd Period

Cue the return of the “Comeback Kings”. The Golden Knights aren’t the best third period team in this postseason for no reason. They scored three unanswered goals after the Canucks had scored two of their own last period. Pacioretty along with Golden Knights players Nate Schmidt and William Karlsson scored before the midway point of the period. The Golden Knights knew how important this game was going into Game 5 so they took over this period despite being outshot 11-8. However, the Canucks would go on a late power play and forward J.T. Miller hit the post in the final minutes of the game.

Vegas won the game 5-3 and extended their series lead 3-1.

Three Stars of the Game

Third Star: Mark Stone

Second Star: Nate Schmidt

First Star: Max Pacioretty

Overview

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas has done it again. They found ways to get back into the game despite being called for multiple penalties during the second period. Vegas also diminished the 7:19 of work Vancouver took to gain a one goal lead in the second period in just 2:52 of the third period from Schmidt. Once Vegas got back into their heavy defensive game and fast paced offense, they were able to regain control of the game and scored three goals all before the midway point of the third period.

However, they got caught in penalty trouble once again but two of their penalties were badly called by the officials. They were able to kill off 3-of-5 Vancouver power plays during this game but they shouldn’t be in this situation moving forward especially with what’s at stake: the Stanley Cup. Also, Vegas was able to kill off Vancouver’s power plays with the help of Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who made his return to the net after 12 games.

Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver seemed to do everything right except win. They had Vegas on their heels during the second period and the final minutes of the third. However, turnovers were a main cause for their loss. Vegas had pressured them defensively in the first and third periods and whether or not that bothered them is debatable. But, they were able to draw five penalties on Vegas converting on two of them.

The one positive sign from this game was the return of defenseman Tyler Myers after he sustained an injury during Game 2 of the St. Louis Blues series. If Myers can find his game in Game 5, then this team can possibly avoid elimination and force a Game 6.

Game 5 of the Golden Knights-Canucks series is on Sept. 1 at 9:45 p.m. EST.