Golden Knights' top line pushes Winnipeg to brink of elimination

Alec Gearty

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Golden Knights' top line pushes Winnipeg to brink of elimination image

Believe it or not, the Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from the Stanley Cup Final.

Reilly Smith scored at 13:02 of the third period to lift the Golden Knights past the Winnipeg Jets, 3-2, in Game 4 on Friday night. Vegas takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven, and in the big moment, the Golden Knights' top line consisting of Smith, William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault made it possible.

Vegas' trio combined for 15 points through the first four games against Winnipeg. It's evident the Jets defensemen have their hands full as all three are capable of changing the game in a single moment. Marchessault, though held to one assist in Game 4, scored 35 seconds into Wednesday's win. So it was natural with an opportunity to control their own fate, Marchessault's line mates shined. Smith's tally proved to be the game-winning goal. It was only his second goal of the playoffs. 

"They're so good puck," Smith said of his line, via NBC Sports. "They're able to slow things down. It's been a treat all year to play with them."

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Karlsson opened the game's scoring on Vegas' power play. Connor Hellebuyck initially shut down the Fin from the left dot but Karlsson had his revenge on the ensuing faceoff. Karlsson drifted back near the left circle and fired the shot past Hellebuyck's outstretched blocker side. Both teams never had the comfort of a two-goal lead; they exchanged goals throughout the next forty plus minutes. Patrik Laine and Tyler Myers scored for Winnipeg, Tomas Nosek for Vegas.

Vegas, however, never dominated the offensive zone. Much like Game 3, Winnipeg constantly pushed on offense leaving Marc-Andre Fleury to bail his team out.

"Winnipeg comes in waves," Smith said. "(Fleury) did a good job closing the door, defense did a good job clearing pucks.

Fleury maintained his cool and barely cracked — he didn't even recognize Myers' shot entered the net. For the longest time, a Winnipeg tally seemed imminent as it was outshooting Vegas 34-27 at one point. That until, Smith took advantage of Dustin Byfuglien's error.

Reilly pounced on the puck as Byfuglien fanned on a pass in Winnipeg's offensive zone. It was the break Vegas and Smith needed as the home team held a one-goal lead for the remaining six minutes. The Golden Knights head to Winnipeg with an opportunity to close out the series. Though it is a cushion, the 3-1 lead can easily shrink.

"It's hard to close out teams," Smith said. "So we got to stick to our game plan. We've been doing it all year. We'll do our best to go into Winnipeg and do that."

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Sporting News provided updates throughout Game 4 (all times Eastern).

Third Period

10:50 —  Byfuglien fails to keep the puck in the offensive zone, thought it was an icing as time dwindled down.  Golden Knights win 3-2.

10:46 —  The T-Mobile Arena is getting loud. Just over a minute remaining in the game, Vegas leads 3-2 and the Jets take their timeout. Hellebuyck is pulled for the extra attacker.

10:40 —  Karlsson has a partial breakaway but Hellebuyck flashes the glove. 4:12 remaining in the game.

10:33 —  Or so we thought! Dustin Byfuglien fans on his shot and Reilly Smith scores on a breakaway to give Vegas the lead with under six minutes left.  Golden Knights lead 3-2.

10:32 —  As the Golden Knights established zone pressure, Luca Sbisa broke his stick to end Vegas' pressure. Winnipeg leads in shots 37-24.

10:29 —  We've reached the halfway point of the period. Jets keep piling on shots. Is this one bound for overtime?

10:25 —  Winnipeg has eight shots on goal. Shea Theodore just recorded Vegas' first shot of the period at 12:53. 

10:19 —  After some confusion, officials determine that Tyler Myers scored. Fleury, Vegas and most everyone in attendance were unaware the puck entered the net.  Jets tie 2-2.

10:17 —  Wheeler tries to connect with Scheifele in front of the net but the puck stays out of the net. Seconds later, Wheeler nearly scores. The Jets are swarming.

10:15 —  Winnipeg manages three shots on the power play but Fleury stands tall and none go in. The Jets are 0-for-4 on the power play tonight.

10:13 —  Brayden McNabb commits a penalty on Mark Scheifele 28 seconds into the period. McNabb for crosschecking; Winnipeg is on the power play.

10:12 —  Time for the third period!

Second Period

9:52 —  Winnipeg ends the period with a 25-22 shot advantage, but Vegas maintains the lead on the scoreboard. 

9:43 —  With a pile up in front of the net, Laine saw the puck all alone. He attempts to put the puck past Fleury but Fleury clears the puck away. Winnipeg's power play is over but Winnipeg is slowly seizing momentum.

9:41 —  Nikolaj Ehlers draws the penalty on Luca Sbisa. Winnipeg has its third power play of the period with a chance to tie the game again.

9:35 —  Talk about redemption. 43 seconds after Laine scores on Nosek's penalty, Nosek takes advantage of Hellebuyck's miscue. Assisted by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Luca Sbisa.  Golden Knights lead 2-1.

9:33 — Patrik Laine converts on the PP and the Jets have tied the game. Assisted by Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler.  Game tied 1-1.

9:31 —  Tomas Nosek heads to the penalty box for tripping Jacob Trouba. Winnipeg is back to the power play.

9:29 —  Nate Schmidt starts from his own end and ultimately puts a shot on Hellebuyck. Schmidt didn't score but impressive sequence, nonetheless.

9:21 —  Fleury continues to do Fleury things. Marc-Andre Fleury, who stacks the pads, robs Bryan Little to preserve the Vegas lead. 

9:19 —  Blake Wheeler is slashed in the offensive zone. Winnipeg heads to its first power play of the game; Karlsson penalized for slashing.

9:16 —  Alex Tuch intercepts Chiarot in front of Hellebuyck and nearly extends Vegas' lead. The Jets goaltender stands tall and now has 12 saves in the game.

9:14 —  Welcome back. It's time for the second period. James Neal sure is ready. 

First Period

8:55 —  First period comes to an end. Vegas lead 1-0. Winnipeg, however, has the shot advantage, 10-9.

8:50 —  Jack Roslovic with a fancy move past the Vegas defense. But his shot goes wide. Winnipeg still looking for that first goal.

8:45 —  Hellebuyck bails Winnipeg out on the penalty kill. Jets head back to even strength without any damage. Can't say the same for Mark Scheifele's nose

8:42 —  Winnipeg heads back to the box. Brayden McNabb cuts Mark Scheifele the nose but Scheifele retaliates. Vegas to the power play. 

8:37 —  Wild Bill Karlsson with an extremely close chance at getting his second goal of the night. No luck. 

8:32 —  It's looking like Patrik Laine will score tonight. He looks like a man on a mission.

8:30 —  Does a 1-0 lead mean that Vegas sits back? Nope, the Golden Knights are bringing the pressure and outshoot Winnipeg 6-3.

8:26 — Winnipeg gets its first shot of the game nearly five minutes into the game.

8:23 — On the ensuing faceoff, William Karlsson doesn't miss as Vegas strikes early on the power play. Assisted by Jonathan Marchessault.  Golden Knights lead 1-0.

8:22 —  William Karlsson shoots into the chest of Connor Hellebuyck. 

8:20 — Jets have yet to record a shot on goal. Tyler Myers takes an interference penalty on Ryan Carpenter. Vegas to the PP. 

8:15 — Either Winnipeg ties the series or Vegas will be one game from the Stanley Cup Final. Game 4 is underway! 

Pregame

8:04 —  Vegas is back at it with the theatrical pregame show. Spoiler alert: the Knight wins.

7:48 —  The lineups have arrived

7:39 —  Nikolaj Ehlers is ON the ice for warmups. It's looking very likely he returns for Game 4. 

7:30 —  The Vegas Golden Knights plan to hold a moment of silence regarding the tragic events that occurred at Santa Fe High School.

5:50 —  A little health update on Nikolaj Ehlers. 

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