Golden Knights Close Out Series Against Jets, Winning in Five Games

The Vegas Golden Knights (4-1 series) defeated the Winnipeg Jets (1-4 series) in their first-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, winning Game Five by a score of 4-1. The Golden Knights are the first team in the playoffs to advance to round two. They will play the winner of the Edmonton Oilers/Los Angeles Kings series, which resumes Saturday with the Oilers leading the series 3-2.

Will Carrier returned from injury, which forced Phil Kessel out of the lineup for the first time since 2009. Given that this was a playoff game, his "Ironman" streak remains intact. Also, the D-pairing of Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb was unavailable to the VGK, and both Ben Hutton and Brayden Pachal were inserted into the lineup as a result. The goaltending matchup was once again Laurent Brossoit v Connor Hellebuyck.

For the Jets, they were once again without Mark Scheifele, David Rittich, and Josh Morrissey. However, Nikolaj Ehlers was able to return from his upper-body injury with the series on the line.

FIRST PERIOD

• 1-0 VGK GOAL- Right off the bat, the Golden Knights scored with Mark Stone making a late slick pass to Chandler Stephenson for the tap-in.

• The Golden Knight's pace to start the game continued to be strong, with the VGK winning nearly every puck battle and getting chances.
• VGK PP- Nicolas Hague's sticktoitiveness to the puck resulted in Dylan Samberg taking a tripping penalty, sending the VGK to the powerplay.
• The Jets' first shot of the game did not come until the clock read 11:55, with a long shot easily gloved down by Laurent Brossoit.
• The Golden Knights continued their strong first period with several chances. There were too many to list. All failed to enter the net.

SECOND PERIOD

• 2-0 VGK GOAL- The Golden Knights' "third" line once again scored early in the period, with Mark Stone getting on the board.

• The Golden Knights nearly scored again, with Keegan Kolesar attempting to bank one in off the side of the net.
• In his return to the lineup, Will Carrier crushed Neal Pionk behind the Jets' net to separate him from the puck.
• 3-0 VGK GOAL- After winning a puck race, William Karlsson tapped in a goal at the side of the net from Michael Amadio.

• 4 on 4- The first notable post-whistle scrum of the game sent both Karson Kuhlman and Brayden Pachal to the box.
• Laurent Brossoit gave up a bad rebound but made a miraculous diving glove save on Adam Lowry on the follow-up chance.
• VGK PP- Adam Lowry was then called for hooking Jonathan Marchessault on a zone entry.
• 4-0 VGK GOAL- Just nine seconds into the powerplay, Chandler Stephenson scored his second goal of the game.

• Right after, the Golden Knights had the chance to make it 5-0 with Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault swatting at pucks.
• The Golden Knights entered the third period up four goals and were completely in control of the game, and, therefore, their own destiny. 

THIRD PERIOD

• 4 on 4- At the end of the second, Kevin Stenlund and Jonathan Marchessault tussled, which resulted in a 4 on 4 to start the third.
• The most entertaining thing in the opening minutes of the third was two fans catching pucks that went out of play. Souvineers.
• A strange shot from Kyle Connor banked through the back of Laurent Brossoit, but, most importantly, stayed out of the net.
• The Jets, with nothing to lose, pulled Connor Hellebuyck with over eight minutes left in the third period.
• 4-1 WPG GOAL- The Jets just had to get one and ruin the shutout for their former goaltender. Kyle Connor scored.

• The Jets used their timeout with 3:21 left in the third period, down three goals.
• NO GOAL- The Jets made things interesting, putting the puck in the net with just 2:35 to go. Before the puck went in the net, Blake Wheeler gloved the puck back to his teammate, which was not called. The Jets scored, but the VGK challenged for a missed game stoppage and were correct.
• Handshakes were at center ice as the Golden Knights closed out their game, winning 4-1 and advancing to the second round.

VHN's Player of the Game: Chandler Stephenson.

Up Next: We await both a schedule and an opponent for round two.