The Vegas Golden Knights are continuing their championship defense for at least one more game. Vegas defeated the Dallas Stars at home in Game 6 on Friday night. The series shifts back to Dallas one more time on Sunday for a winner-take-all Game 7. But the Golden Knights made some interesting franchise history in Game 6.
The Golden Knights won their first non-Game 7 elimination game on Friday, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger. Vegas last played a non-Game 7 elimination game in 2021. They faced the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semi-Final. However, Montreal won and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Stars had the chance to avenge their playoff failure from last season. Unfortunately, they could not get the job done. Now, Dallas and the Golden Knights prepare for the biggest game of their seasons. The winner of Sunday's game takes on the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Golden Knights blank Stars in Game 6
The Golden Knights once had a firm grasp on this series. In fact, they defeated the Stars in the first two games of this opening-round contest. However, the Stanley Cup Playoffs can change in an instant. And this series is no exception. Dallas went on to win the next three games, putting Vegas on the brink of elimination in Game 6.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy gave goalie Adin Hill the start in Game 5. And he performed well enough despite the heartbreaking loss. The veteran bench boss went back to Hill on Friday night. Hill did not let his head coach down in the slightest, turning in an incredible performance.
Hill stopped all 23 shots the Stars could muster against him. Dallas simply couldn't solve the Calgary native on Friday night. Defenseman Noah Hanifin provided the Golden Knights with a much-needed goal halfway through the third period. Dallas battled, but Mark Stone put home an empty-netter to make Game 7 official.
All eyes turn to Dallas
The Stars entered this series knowing it'd be difficult. The Golden Knights are the defending Stanley Cup champions, after all. But the true challenge was that Vegas hadn't been completely healthy for most of the season. Stone went on long-term injured reserve around the NHL Trade Deadline. And they dealt with injury issues leading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Furthermore, the Golden Knights needed to develop chemistry. Vegas added Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl to the team with the cap cleared by Stone's LTIR placement. Those three had yet to skate with many of the key Golden Knights stars, including Stone, before this series.
The Golden Knights quickly found their chemistry. But the Stars also found an answer to that chemistry. Goalie Jake Oettinger had struggled a bit during the 2023-24 NHL season. And through the first couple games, it seemed those struggles would continue into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, Oettinger picked up his level of play. Vegas hasn't scored more than two goals in a game since Game 2. This includes Friday's Game 6, where Oettinger played well. He allowed just one goal against while in net, and made 28 saves against the Golden Knights.
In the end, none of this matters. The only thing that's important now is winning Game 7 on Sunday night. Fans can tune in at 7:30 PM Eastern Time and 4:30 PM Pacific Time to catch the action. It'll certainly be a must-watch game no matter who you cheer for.
Follow Us
Subscribe