Vegas got off to a hot start with right wing Mark Stone scoring a goal off an assist from defenseman Noah Hanifin and center Jack Eichel to give Vegas a 1-0 lead.Â
This goal came during a Knights power play after Miro Heiskanen received a two-minute penalty for roughing.
The Knights’ lead lasted just over one minute as right-wing Evgenii Dadonov tied the game 1-1 with 14:58 left in the first period off an assist from right-wing Logan Stankoven and center Wyatt Johnston.
Dallas wasted no time taking the lead just a few minutes later when center Matt Duchene scored off the assist from centers Tyler Seguin and Johnston.
The high-scoring first period continued as Vegas tied the game 2-2 off a goal by left wing William Carrier off the assist from Ivan Barbashev and defenseman Brayden McNabb with 7:25 remaining in the first period.
Neither team was able to put the puck through the goal in the final 7:25 of the first period, with the two teams going into the intermission tied 2-2.
The second period of the game featured physical play and tough defense from each team, with neither team being able to score a goal through the first 10 minutes of action.
This physicality proved to be detrimental for the Stars, as Seguin was forced out of the game and into the penalty box for two minutes due to a check to the head of Knights defenseman Shea Theodore.
Dallas was able to prevent the Knights from converting on the power play, with the Stars receiving an opportunity just a few minutes later when Stone received two minutes in the penalty box for interference against Johnston.
The home team was unable to capitalize on the two-minute advantage but received another opportunity when Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo received a two-minute penalty for roughing against Seguin.
This power play proved to be critical for the Stars, as left-wing Jason Robertson put the put into the goal off an assist from Heiskanen and left-wing Jamie Benn with 3:28 left in the second period.
The Stars maintained this lead through the end of the period, entering the final intermission with a 3-2 lead.
Playing defensively to maintain the lead was a clear focus for the Stars in the final period as goalie Jake Oettinger blocked seven attempted shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of action.
Vegas had an opportunity to tie the game as center Chandler Stephenson had a one-on-one breakaway, but his shot on goal was stifled by an incredible save as Oettinger didn’t bite on a pump fake shot with just 2:44 remaining in the game.
The Knights opted to go with an empty for the final 1:45 in the final period, but their final attempts were unsuccessful as the Stars held Vegas to just one shot on goal in this timeframe.
The Stars’ success came during power plays in the game, as the team was able to convert on two of the four power play opportunities.
Dallas will now head back to Vegas for Game 6 of this series on Friday at 12 p.m. with a commanding 3-2 lead, where the team will attempt to move into the second round of the NHL Playoffs with a victory.
