The Knightly Recap: Week 20

Last week on the Knightly Recap, the Vegas Golden Knights played games one through four in their first round matchup against the Minnesota Wild in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This week on the Knightly Recap, the Golden Knights look to finish off the series with a game five win. However, the tide had shifted for a bit before the Golden Knights gained it back. Enough with the suspense and onto this week’s Knightly Recap.

Welcome to week 20 of this week’s Knightly Recap.

Game 5: May 24 vs. Minnesota Wild

O Captain, My Captain!

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone has scored in the last three games of the series including this one. Stone had led his team back from being down two goals in game two as well as adding onto a lead which gave the Golden Knights a 4-0 victory in game four.

You love to C it 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Vpmme5Weyd

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 25, 2021

The Golden Knights captain scored the game’s first goal during the first period which was built off a fast paced start to game five.

Minnesota Went Wild in Vegas

Even with Stone’s goal and the quick paced start from the Golden Knights, Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov had finally got on the scoring sheet in the playoffs. Kaprizov’s goal also marked his first career postseason goal 52 seconds after Stone’s goal.

The Wild then scored two more goals in the first period giving them a two goal lead heading into the second.

33 Shots on Goal But No Win

After the first period, the Golden Knights were all over the ice in the Wild’s defensive zone where they outshot them 33-7 in the last two periods. Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez at the 9:43 mark of the second period, cutting the Wild’s lead to one. However, the Golden Knights weren’t able to force the game to overtime just like in their March 1 matchup.

Final score: 4-2 MIN

Goal scorers: MIN – Kirill Kaprizov (9:06 1st Period), Zach Parise (11:57 1st Period), Jordan Greenway (16:34 1st Period), Nico Sturm (19:21 3rd Period)

VGK – Mark Stone (8:14 1st Period), Alec Martinez (9:43 2nd Period)

Series: 3-2 VGK

Game 6: May 26 at Minnesota Wild

Deja Vu? It Looked Like It.

The majority of game six consisted of hard checking, heavy pressurizing defense just like game one. Unlike game one however, the number of shots on goal through the first two periods were less than game one. Shots on goal for game one through two periods were 30-18 in favor of Vegas compared to 14-13 in favor of Minnesota.

Goaltender Interference Or Not?

Controversy sparked after the game when Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson thought he had tied the game at one during the third period. However, after video review, the call was reversed due to Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch interfering with Wild goaltender Cam Talbot.

In the case of Vegas, Tuch was trying to make an effort to get out of the blue paint but was tangled up with Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. Talbot was also able to move on his own to try and make a save.

Another Game 7 for Vegas

Even though the game was close throughout, the Wild were able to score three unanswered goals in the third period forcing a game seven in Vegas. This is the second postseason in a row in which the Golden Knights have been forced to play a game seven.

The Vancouver Canucks forced a game seven last postseason in the Edmonton bubble but the Golden Knights prevailed and went on to the Western Conference Finals.

Final score: 3-0 MIN

Goal scorers: Ryan Hartman (4:21 3rd Period), Kevin Fiala (9:35 3rd Period), Nick Bjugstad (15:17 3rd Period)

VGK – None

Series: 3-3

Game 7: May 28 vs. Minnesota Wild

Back and Forth Game 7

It wouldn’t be a game seven without some back and forth action. And the early stages of this game definitely brought that vibe. The first period and early stages of the second saw both teams score back and forth. The Golden Knights scored first from forward Mattias Janmark during the first period followed by Wild forward Zach Parise eleven minutes after.

THE JAN MAN CAN!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Zf3nAyzBol

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 29, 2021

Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague scored his first career postseason goal during the second period followed by Kaprizov on a power play.

HAGUER DID IT TO EM!!!! 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/3hvrRuzjQD

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 29, 2021

Like He Never Left

After being out of play since May 1, Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty returned back on the ice to play in this crucial game seven. But even though he’d been sidelined for quite some time, Pacioretty scored his first goal of the postseason since getting injured to regain the Golden Knights’ lead in the second period.

Badabing, badaBOOM 🚨 #VegasBorn | @Raising_Canes pic.twitter.com/u13uTiwIrn

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 29, 2021

Hats! Get Your Hats Mattias!

After having many scoring chances throughout this series, Janmark finally found his stride and what a way to do so. Janmark had already scored during the first period but he added two more goals in the third to gain his first career hat trick.

RAISE THE ROOF 🙌#VegasBorn | @Raising_Canes pic.twitter.com/GjfoWhBS0V

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 29, 2021

Final score: 6-2 VGK

Goal scorers: MIN – Zach Parise (16:49 1st Period), Kirill Kaprizov (4:35 2nd Period)

VGK – Mattias Janmark (5:09 1st Period, 12:36 3rd Period, 16:53 3rd Period), Nic Hague (2:05 2nd Period), Max Pacioretty (7:44 2nd Period), Zach Whitecloud (13:38 2nd Period)

Series: 4-3 VGK Wins

Up Next on the Knightly Recap

With this series win, the Golden Knights advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’ll face off against division rival Colorado Avalanche.

This is the matchup everyone has been waiting for. The regular season matchups aren’t enough to determine who reigns supreme for this NHL season. And this second round playoff matchup will certainly answer that by the end of it.

It’s an exciting matchup to watch two powerhouse, Stanley Cup contending teams battle it out for hockey’s most prized possession. Until then, stay tuned for the next Knightly Recap.