Nosek helps give Knights 1-0 lead
LAS VEGAS - You never know what to expect off the ice at a Vegas Knights Game. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final included Michael Buffer giving “Let’s get ready to rumble” introduction before the opening face-off.
But for all of the surprises the expansion Golden Knights provide off the ice, they are predictably consistent on the ice. The Golden Knights were again a study in perseverance as they downed the Washington Capitals, 6-4, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final.
They’ve made it a habit throughout the playoffs to respond quickly to adversity. They did it again in the third period of Game 1.
Even though the Golden Knights are a patchwork team of players garnered through the expansion draft and trades, they play as if they have been together for years. They call themselves the Golden Misfits because they all came from teams that considered them expendable.
Two fourth-liners provided the key third-period goals.
When Tom Wilson scored at 1:10 of the third to give the Capitals a 4-3 lead, Vegas tough guy Ryan Reaves answered at 2:41 to tie the game, 4-4. After Wilson sent Jonathan Marchessault to the dressing room with a heavy hit that he didn’t see coming, fourthliner Tomas Nosek scored what proved to be the game-winner at 9:44 of the period. Nosek added an empty-netter.
That raised the Golden Knights’ home record to 7-1 in the playoffs. They’ve only been playing in T Mobile Arena for nine months, but it’s already one of the most difficult places to play for opposing players.
The Golden Knights, a team that has found success all season by embracing an unwavering work ethic relentless playing style, were able to carry that into the Stanley Cup Final.
Although the Golden Knights gave up four goals, they held Alex Ovechkin to one assist.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves in an occasionally shaky performance, but the three-time Stanley Cup winner’s new teammates carried the goalie who has so often carried them with a relentless outburst of offense.