Marchessault scores twice, Golden Knights win second straight game to take series lead

Alec Gearty

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Marchessault scores twice, Golden Knights win second straight game to take series lead image

From the moment Jonathan Marchessault arrived at T-Mobile Arena in a customized Lamborghini for Game 3, he displayed a certain poise as he entered the building. It seemed like he knew the impact he was going to make Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets. 

Marchessault scored two goals as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Jets 4-2 to claim the series lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals. Thirty-five seconds into the first period, Marchessault pushed the Jets against the wall. After Brayden McNabb blindly cleared the puck from Vegas' defensive zone, Marchessault outskated Jacob Trouba to the puck. The 27-year-old backhanded his shot to give Vegas the all-important first goal — teams that score first remain undefeated in the series. 

"He’s real quick," Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said of Marchessault during the game's broadcast. "He takes opportunities like that."

Winnipeg registered three shots on Marc-Andre Fleury in the first period but slowly crept its way onto the scoreboard. Mark Scheifele scored at 5:28 of the second period as he redirected Blake Wheeler's shot from a near-impossible angle past Fleury. Scheifele led the Jets with two points and it was evident that if the Jets were going to win, it would have to be the Wheeler-Scheifele-Kyle Connor line. While they faced Vegas' top pairing, the trio was able to score. The Jets felt confident and held the momentum for all of 12 seconds. That's when James Neal put life back into the building with his goal. 

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Scheifele's goal announcement hadn't finished when Erik Haula, who intercepted Connor Hellebuyck's clearing attempt, found Neal in front of the near wide-open net. Neal assisted on Alex Tuch's goal 2 1/2 minutes later to give Vegas a sudden 3-1 lead. Within minutes, Winnipeg saw its once game-tying scenario turn into a dreadful deficit. 

Winnipeg came out of the second intermission pushing for a goal. Scheifele scored 18 seconds into the third period to allow Winnipeg to spend the remaining time to figure out how to pull even with Vegas. The Jets came close, too. If Fleury wasn't in net, it's likely the game would have gone to overtime, but Fleury shut Winnipeg down. The veteran made 16 saves in the third en route to a 33-save performance. It was reminiscent of the Fleury who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to multiple Stanley Cup wins.

Marchessault capped off Vegas' night with an empty-net goal as he recorded his 17th point of the playoffs, in his third multipoint game.

Sporting News provided updates throughout Game 3 (all times Eastern).

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Third period

11:54 —  Marchessault puts a dagger in this one. He scores the empty netter as the Knights take a 2-1 series lead.  Golden Knights win 4-2.

11:52 —  Hellebuyck heads to the bench for the extra attacker.

11:49 —  Winnipeg is running out of time. The Golden Knights' offense has surfaced with a minute and a half remaining. 

11:41 —  It's all Winnipeg at this point. Vegas last had a shot on goal roughly nine minutes ago. Winnipeg leads Vegas in shots, 34-26.

11:35 —  Oh my, Flower! Fleury makes two remarkable saves on Scheifele, including one outstretched save to preserve Vegas' lead. The crowd showers Fleury with appreciation. If anyone knows of a better save during these playoffs, let us know. 

11:31 —  We have reached the halfway mark of the third period. Winnipeg is swarming around the Golden Knights' defense.

11:28 —  Fleury is unable to glove Byfuglien's shot but the Jets aren't able to take advantage. Tyler Myers pokes the puck free in the defensive zone and has a breakaway of his own. Fleury makes the save, again. Winnipeg is pressing forward and inch closer with each shift to scoring.

11:25 —  Both teams are becoming very careful. Winnipeg dire for another goal, Vegas isn't trying to surrender one. Adam Lowry gets into a scuffle in front of the net but just typical hockey stuff going on. Officials come in and break up the group. 

11:14 — Mark Scheifele scores 18 seconds into the third period and makes history. He comes the first player to score 11 goals on the road in a single playoffs. Assisted by Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler.  Golden Knights lead 3-2.  

Second period

10:54 — Despite multiple close chances, Hellebuyck keeps the game scoreless and we reach the end of the second period.

10:52 —  Marc-Andre Fleury, goaltender and kid at heart.

10:49 —  We have fisticuffs, sorta. Scheifele drives to the net and collides with Fleury. Ryan Carpenter took exception to the play. Wheeler, Scheifele, and Cody Eakin head to the box.

10:45 —  Patrik Laine's shot rings off the post! That's the closest the Jets came on the power play.

10:42 —  Bryan Little was left all alone for a breakaway. He dekes Fleury but his backhand goes wide. Jets head to the power play; Luca Sbisa for holding.

10:35 —  Under eight minutes remaining in the period as we reach a commercial break. Vegas holds the shot advantage, 17-12. 

10:31 —  Brayden McNabb is on the receiving end of a high-stick but not call. He's alright but the crowd is upset. Officials made up for the call as Mark Scheifele is called for slashing shortly after. You know the deal, "shame."

10:27 —  Marchessault leads the 2 on 1 rush but no go. James Neal comes down, recovers his own shot and finds Alex Tuch for the goal. Assisted by James Neal and Nate Schmidt.  Golden Knights lead 3-1.

10:22 —  What a response! James Neal takes advantage of the misplaced Hellebuyck and scores into the empty net. Assisted by Erik Haula.  Golden Knights lead 2-1.

10:20 — Blake Wheeler shoots towards Fleury's direction and Mark Scheifele is there for the tip. Assisted by Wheeler.  Jets tie 1-1.

10:19 —  Shea Theodore is tripped up but no call. The fans in attendance let the officials know their feelings about it. Marchessault almost scores to make up for it.

10:13 — Two Golden Knights' surround Hellebuyck behind the net. The Jets goaltender hesitates on which direction to fire the puck. He ultimately evades trouble and wins the standoff!

10:08 — Reilly Smith gets the Golden Knights' best chance on the power play but the game remains scoreless. Penalty is killed as both teams are back at even strength.

First period

9:51 —  Unfortunately for Vegas, the first period ended. The good news? The Golden Knights continue their power play to start the second period. Vegas outshooting Winnipeg 10-3. Also, Vegas' twitter account seems very busy.

9:49 —  Mathieu Perreault trips up Nate Schmidt. He heads to the penalty box as the crowd chants "shame." Vegas to the power play.

9:46 —  Brayden McNabb introduces himself to Kyle Connor with a thundering hit. He does the same to Scheifele at the end of his shift.

9:45 —  Vegas puts two shots on Hellebuyck but the Jets survive the penalty kill. 

9:41 —  Josh Morrissey heads to the penalty box for Winnipeg. It's the Golden Knights' turn on the power play. Morrissey for holding.

9:38 —  Wheeler and Byfuglien both miss the net on the PP. Vegas' PK is making it difficult for the Jets as they smother Scheifele in the zone. Golden Knights kill off Haula's penalty and Connor Hellebuyck makes the 3 on 2 save.

9:36 —  Erik Haula commits an offensive zone penalty. Winnipeg has a chance to get on the board here on the PP. Haula gets two minutes for tripping.

9:33 —  At the halfway point of the first and Winnipeg hasn't tested Fluery much. The Golden Knights are outshooting Winnipeg 6-2 in the quickly developing period.

9:30 — Elvis. Waldo. There is no shortage of characters in the T-Mobile Arena crowd.

9:25 —  James Neal heads to the Golden Knights' locker room.

9:22 —  Joel Armia was alone in front of Marc-Andre Fleury. Armia, however, was unable to beat Fleury. Flower makes two big saves to preserve the Vegas lead. 

9:17 — It's the perfect start for Vegas. 35 seconds into the game, Marchessault beats Jacob Trouba to the puck and scores on the Golden Knights' second shot of the game. Assisted by Brayden McNabb.  Golden Knights lead 1-0.

9:15 —  We're ready. Are you ready? Game 3 is underway.

Pregame

9:09 —  Vegas continues to amaze the crowd. 

8:47 —  Here's how the Winnipeg Jets will look tonight.

8:39 —  Nikolaj Ehlers won't play tonight. Neither will Vegas' David Perron.

8:13 —   Marchessault, Jonathan Marchessault.

7:20 —  Gordon Ramsay sure isn't a Winnipeg fan tonight

7:00 —  Are you pulling for the Jets tonight? You're going to want to check out this video:

Related links

Marc-Andre Fleury enjoys playoff reputation revival for Golden Knights

Patrik Laine shows pedigree, personality of next great goal scorer

Already toast of hockey, Vegas' success story deserves wider audience

William Karlsson's next contract a wild gamble for Golden Knights

Shea Theodore quickly, quietly becoming Vegas' go-to defenseman

Paul Stastny's smarts, skills receiving high marks from Jets teammates

Alec Gearty