Vegas answers again

Golden Knights earn split in Winnipeg thanks to top line

WINNIPEG — Jonathan Marchessault gave a blunt assessment of the Vegas Golden Knights’ pedestrian effort in Game 1 of the Western Conference final.

The winger backed up his strong words in impressive fashion Monday to help write the latest chapter in the first-year club’s surprising story.

Marchessault scored twice and MarcAndre Fleury made 30 saves as Vegas defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 to send the best-of-seven series to Sin City tied at a game apiece.

After the Knights fell behind 3-0 early in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to open the third-round matchup, Marchessault said: “We’re going to see what kind of team we are.”

Vegas weathered another early storm in Game 2, but steadied things to grab a 2-0 lead before responding with Marchessault’s second of the night just 88 seconds after the Jets got to within one midway through the third period.

“We definitely showed up,” said the 27year-old, who was plucked from the Florida Panthers in the expansion draft last June. “We showed the hockey world that we own the right to be here.”

The Knights, who swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs before downing the San Jose Sharks in six games to advance to the conference final, continue to defy the odds in a stunning inaugural campaign that saw them top the Pacific Division with 109 points.

“Everybody sees the opportunity here,” Marchessault said. “We were just a bunch of hockey players that wanted to find a home, and we did.”

Tomas Tatar came out of the press box to open the scoring for the Knights, while Reilly Smith added two assists.

Kyle Connor replied for the Jets, who got 25 saves from Connor Hellebuyck.

Games 3 and 4 go Wednesday and Friday in Vegas.

Game 5 will be back in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon.

Fleury, who has four shutouts in these playoffs, picked up the 71st post-season win of his career to pull even with Jacques Plante for ninth on the all-time list.

“Everybody steps up at some point,” said Fleury. “Everybody is contributing to the success of the team. That’s why we’ve been consistent.”

The Canadian Press Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault, centre, celebrates his first of two goals in Game 2 with teammates Brayden McNabb (3) and Reilly Smith (19) as Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele looks on during third-round NHL playoff action in...