NHL playoffs 2018: Golden Knights eliminate Jets, advance to Stanley Cup Final

Jim Cerny

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NHL playoffs 2018: Golden Knights eliminate Jets, advance to Stanley Cup Final image

The longest of long shots when the 2017-18 NHL season started eight months ago, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights are now four wins away from winning the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season.

The Golden Knights eliminated the Winnipeg Jets with a 2-1 road victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final Sunday afternoon to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. Vegas, which is a league-best 12-3 in the playoffs, will face either the Tampa Bay Lightning or Washington Capitals in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning lead that best-of-seven 3-2 with Game 6 to  be played Monday in Washington.

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Rugged fourth liner Ryan Reaves -- acquired by Vegas from the two-time defending Cup champion Penguins at the trade deadline -- scored the series-deciding goal late in the second period for the Golden Knights, who received a 31-save effort from Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes. Alex Tuch also scored for Vegas, which never trailed in Game 5 en-route to winning it's fourth straight game against the Jets after dropping the series opener.

The Jets, who received a sterling 30-save performance from Connor Hellebuyck in goal -- seemed to run out of steam as the game progressed, finding it extremely difficult to break through the stout defense of Vegas, particularly in the third period.

Winnipeg's only goal came off the stick of defenseman Josh Morrissey in the first period.

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Third Period

5:45 It's over! Vegas is heading to the Stanley Cup Final! Golden Knights win 2-1

 

 

5:43 Hellebuyck heads to bench with 1:25 to play. Jets not able to set up in offensive zone even with extra attacker.

5:41 Blake Wheeler robbed by outstretched right pad of Fleury. Under 4 minutes to play.

5:40 Laine long backhander deflected, sharp save by Fleury. Under 5 minutes to play.

5:38 Tuch to David Perron in all alone, pad save by Hellebuyck. 6 minutes to play.

5:34 William Karlsson backhand from low slot, great save by Hellebuyck. 8 minutes to play.

5:32 Halfway through the third period, Vegas still up by one and limiting Winnipeg's scoring chances.

5:23 Huge Hellebuyck save on Reilly Smith as Vegas ramps up pressure. Morrissey slow to bench after collision with Tuch.

5:17 Great save up high by Fleury at end of Jets power play on Kyle Connor snap shot. Jets now 0-for-4 on power play.

5:16 After Laine misses the net -- again -- on blast, Vegas d-man Nate Schmidt the other way with in-tight shorthanded scoring chance.

5:15 Great effort by Trouba taking puck to net, diving Fleury keeps puck out of cage, but Vegas takes slashing minor. Early third period power play for Jets 45 seconds in.

5:14 Puck dropped. Is this the last period of the 2018 Western Conference Final?

5:10 Pretty loose, eh?

 

 

Second Period

4:53 Horn sounds. Vegas is 20 minutes of hockey away from a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Shots are 24-23 Jets.  Golden Knights lead 2-1

4:51 Jets with good zone time, but great defense by Vegas closing the lanes. Winnipeg 0-for-3 on power play

4:46 Winnipeg power play coming up at 16:03 Tomas Nosek for tripping.

4:42 Vegas gets a goal from the 4th line. Ryan Reaves on the deflection of Luca Sbisa shot and it goes bar down behind Hellebuyck at 13:21. Golden Knights lead 2-1

 

 

4:38 Jacob Trouba shot, Mathieu Perrault deflection, Fleury alert save.

4:35 Jets power play is over. Like Vegas, Winnipeg is 0-for-2. Again, some good looks, but Fleury sharp -- plus missed shots aplenty.

4:30 Alex Tuch trips Kulikov at 9:01. Second Jets power play.

4:29 Interesting note:

 

 

4:28 Game opening up, chances at both ends until Hellebuyck covers after second straight save on Shea Thodore.

4:24 Terrific PK by the Jets. Vegas now 0-for-2 on power play.

4:22 Kulikov heading to the box for elbowing at 3:51. Second Vegas power play.

4:21 Marchessault line creating havoc, Hellebuyck in perfect position to gobble up Marchessault blast.

4:17 Now, a crazy, scrambling save along goal line and off post by Hellebuyck at other end of the ice

4:16 What a wicked rising snap shot by Mark Scheifele -- fought  off by Fleury, barely -- just 30 seconds into the period.

4:15 Puck dropped and second period is underway.

First Period

3:56 Horn sounds. Scrum along the boards by penalty boxes. No penalties called. Shots are 12-8 Jets. Game Tied 1-1

3:52 On cue: Jets score and tie the game. Bryan Little wins faceoff in offensive zone and Josh Morrissey hammers slap shot past Fleury at 17:14. That is his first career postseason goal. Game Tied 1-1

 

 

3:51 Jets have turned the tide of the period. Still down by one, but have recorded last six shots on goal.

3:46 Jets have several good looks, miss the net on two of them. Power play is over.

3:42 On delayed penalty, Byfuglien weaves his way in untouched, but Fleury makes pad save. Jets power play at 12:47.

3:39 Joe Morrow -- back in Jets lineup today -- had now delivered big hits on each of his last three shifts, making presence felt.

3:38 Offensive faceoff win by Jets and Byfuglien snaps one on goal. Good save by Fleury.

3:32 Golden Knights are 8-1 in the playoffs when scoring first goal. They keep up the pressure here, Hellebuyck two big sames, latest on Reilly Smith.

3:29 Deflected puck comes to Alex Tuch in the slot. He spins around and scores sixth goal at 5:11. Golden Knights lead 1-0

 

 

3:28 Dmitry Kulikov, veteran d-man, returning from injury and makes 2018 playoff debut, out there helping Jets kill that Vegas power play.

3:25 Golden Knights receive game's first power play at 2:43. Dustin Byfuglien to the box.

3:20  Puck dropped and away we go. Deafening crowd at game's start in Winnipeg.

Pregame

2:55 Nerves? Patrik Laine seems just fine actually.

 

 

2:48

 

 

2:30 Warmups underway in the 'Peg. Whiteout on full display. Connor Hellebuyck in goal for the Jets. Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Cerny