The Dallas Stars defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in Game 3 of the first round of the NHL Playoffs on Saturday night to cut the Knights’ series lead to 2-1.
The Stars entered the game down 0-2 but were the best road team in the NHL throughout the regular season, finishing the year with a league-best 26-10-5 record leading into the playoffs.
Dallas opened the contest aggressively with eight shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of the first period, with the Knights attempting just two shots on goal during the same timeframe.
This aggressiveness paid dividends for the team as Dallas center Wyatt Johnston put one in the net after rebounding a blocked shot by Vegas goalie Logan Thompson, giving the team a 1-0 lead with 8:49 left in the first period.
Dallas began the second period of the game with the same mindset, taking three shots on goal in the first two minutes to bring the total to 21, tying the team’s number of shots on goal during the entirety of Game 2.
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen extended the team’s lead to 2-0 after scoring a goal with 14:35 left in the second period off an assist from center Tyler Seguin and right wing Evgenii Dadonov.
However, the Stars’ lead did not last long as the Knights strung together two quick goals in just over three minutes of game time.
Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb scored his second goal of the series off an assist from center Chandler Stephenson with 9:20 remaining in the period.
This goal came during a four-on-four situation after Stars left wing Jamie Benn and Knights left wing William Carrier each received two-minute penalties for roughing.
Shortly after both Benn and Carrier returned to the ice, Vegas tied the game during a Dallas power play, with center Jack Eichel scoring off the assist from McNabb.
Each team prioritized defense in the game’s final period and prevented the other from converting any goals, resulting in the first overtime of the series after regulation ended in a 2-2 tie.
The defensive battle continued in overtime, with Stars goalie Jake Oettinger contributing seven saves in the first 13 minutes of the period.
However, the Stars were able to end the game with a 3-2 victory following Johnston’s second goal of the night off an assist from left wing Jason Robertson.
Dallas’ win in Game 3 cut the Knights’ series lead down to 2-1, giving the Stars an opportunity to tie the series in Game 4.
The Stars and Knights are set to continue the series on Monday at 12 p.m. CT in Las Vegas, where the team will attempt to even the series before traveling back to Dallas for Game 5.
