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The Vegas Golden Knights were unable to take advantage of their first opportunity to win the Western Conference Final, falling in overtime to the Dallas Stars 3-2 in Game 4.
The loss marked the third overtime game of the series, but the first the Knights failed to win, as center Joe Pavelski scored the game-winning power-play goal just 3:18 into the extra frame.
“We weren't fast early on,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I don't think we managed pucks well below the goal line.”
Cassidy cited the play below the goal line as a reason for the lack of clean breakouts for Vegas, and thus their struggle for offense in Game 4.
Vegas’ two goals came off the sticks of center William Karlsson and right-winger Jonathan Marchessault. Karlsson tipped in a left-wing Reilly Smith shot in the first period, while Marchessault put in a feed from defenseman Brayden McNabb in the second.
Karlsson’s goal was his eighth this postseason, a career-high. Marchessault meanwhile tied his career-high of eight set back in 2018.
Each goal, however, was answered by Dallas’ Jason Robertson, who is now up to four goals in this series and is heating up after a cold start to the postseason.
While Cassidy was focused on tactical issues with the team’s play, Marchessault felt things fell apart in the effort department.
“Our effort level, I think, was not good enough,” Marchessault said. “Closing a series is the hardest game of the series. It's just not good enough for our group.”
One positive the Golden Knights will take away from Game 4 was the play of Adin Hill. After shutting out Dallas 4-0 in Game 3, Hill made 39 saves on 42 shots to keep Vegas in the game in regulation.
“He was excellent,” Cassidy said. “Can’t fault him on any of the goals. Did a real nice job for us – timely saves.”
Hill’s teammates were just as complimentary.
“I thought [Hill] made unbelievable saves all along the game,” Marchessault said. “He’s been so good for us it’s not fair to let him [down] like that in that situation.”
Smith added that Hill is “awesome,” and expressed the utmost confidence in him moving forward.
While Vegas will have to battle again for a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Final, they are confident in their ability to bounce back.
Cassidy remarked that “that’s just the way it goes sometimes” when asked about his concern level postgame.
Marchessault expressed that the team will learn from Game 4 and then shift their focus to Game 5 on Friday, while Smith said that when they get another opportunity in Game 5 “we’ll make the most of it.”
Puck drop for Game 5 is set for 5:00 p.m. from T-Mobile Arena Saturday, May 27. Everything that was on the line for both teams in Game 4 is still on the line then, with Vegas getting another chance to finish off Dallas.
If Vegas wins Game 5, the Stanley Cup Final will begin on Wednesday, May 31. If the series requires six or seven games, the Stanley Cup Final will begin on Saturday, June 3. The Florida Panthers await either Vegas or Dallas.