Golden Knights vs. Stars Game 3 Preview: Hague Still Out

Injured defenseman Nicolas Hague has not been able to practice, and has been ruled out for tonight’s Vegas Golden Knights Game 3 against the Dallas Stars.

Veteran Alec Martinez is filling his spot. The Michigan native played 15:20 and was not on the ice for the one goal against. Defensive depth is one of the Golden Knights’ strengths. Their defensive coverage has been strong over the first two games.

Vegas only gave up 21 shots on goal in Game 2. The Golden Knights ranked 12th in goals-against in the regular-season, but they have raised the efficiency of their defensive work in the postseason.

🎥 Head Coach Bruce Cassidy speaks to the media after practice on Friday at City National Arena pic.twitter.com/ytHTsmu72f

— x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 26, 2024

Game Time

Monday: Dallas at Vegas, Game 3 Western Conference Quarterfinal

Where: T-Mobile Arena.

TV/RADIO: TBS (National) and Scripps Sports (Local)/98.9 FM/1340 AM and 1460. AM

Time: 7:30 p.m., PT

Vegas Preview

The Golden Knights are 5-0 against Dallas this season, counting a 3-0 mark in the regular-season…Jack Eichel has average 20:06 minutes of playing time and has four points in the first two games of this series… Goalie Logan Thompson has stopped 46 of 50 shots in the first two games for a .920 save percentage…William Karlsson doesn’t have a point in the first game of the series…Earning a 3-0 would be big for the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights. Only four teams have ever come back from a 3-0 disadvantage to win a playoff series. The last time it occurred was 10 years go.

Golden Knights lineup

Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Jonathan Marchessault

Chandler Stephenson — Tomas Hertl — Mark Stone

Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Anthony Mantha

William Carrier-Nicolas Roy — Keegan Kolesar

Defense

Noah Hanifin — Alex Pietrangelo

Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore

Zach Whitecloud-Alec Martinez

Dallas Preview

The Stars called up Maverik Bourque from the Texas Stars. He had 26 goals in the AHL this season. He had 77 points with only four power play goals this season.  If he plays Game 3, it will be his second NHL game…Goalie Jake Oettinger is one of the Dallas strengths, but the Stars have lost the goalie matchup in the first two games. Oettinger owns a 3.10 and .850 save percentage…Six-foot-7 defenseman Jani Hakanpaa is still out with an injury for Dallas. He hasn’t played since March 16…Joe Pavelski has no points and three shots in the first two games of this series.

We have recalled Mavrik Bourque from @TexasStars.

More ⤵️

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 26, 2024

Lessons learned: Stars talk how to respond in Game 2 https://t.co/0sVucXWAOF

— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 24, 2024