Stanley Cup Final 2018: Fourth line lifts Golden Knights to Game 1 win over Capitals

Alec Gearty

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Stanley Cup Final 2018: Fourth line lifts Golden Knights to Game 1 win over Capitals image

Before the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights met in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final, there wasn't any indication on who may play the role of hero in the series. It could have been notable scorers like William Karlsson and Alex Ovechkin or either of the two superstar goaltenders on each team. There was little to no expectation of Vegas' fourth line to be the team's saving grace during the Golden Knights' 6-4 win on Monday night.

Vegas' fourth line consisting of Ryan Reaves, Tomas Nosek and Pierre-Eduoard Bellemarre entered the Stanley Cup Final combined for five points. But four of the five points came in the final two games of the conference finals. They appeared to be trending in the right direction. As Washington and Vegas were tied entering the final period, the trio outscored Washington 3-1 propelling the Golden Knights to take a 1-0 series lead over the Capitals in the best-of-seven series.

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As everything from Lil Jon to the pregame theatrics settled, Vegas struck first. Vegas' defenseman Colin Miller scored his third goal of the playoffs — on the power play. It was a telling sign that it was about to be a goal-abundant affair between Vegas and Washington. 

Brett Connolly and Nicklas Backstrom proceeded Vegas' first tally with two of their own. Washington, who had been outshot for the majority of the first period, finally had the break they needed. But Karlsson, with under two minutes remaining, scored to bring the game back to a gridlock. 

Reilly Smith took advantage of Braden Holtby's unfortunate rebound control at 3:21 of the second period. Smith, who led Vegas with two points, roofed the puck past Holtby. John Carlson and the Capitals responded five minutes later. The teams, like the first period, ended the second tied.

MORE: Stanley Cup Final: Tom Wilson shakes up Jonathan Marchessault with huge, illegal hit

Washington thought they gained the upper-hand over Vegas. Tom Wilson was credited on Marc-Andre Fleury's unsuspecting own-goal and the Capitals led for 1:31 before Reaves broke the tie. Nosek added two goals later to extend the Vegas lead and seal the victory for the home team.

Fleury made 24 saves, while Holtby made 28. Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final will be on Wednesday, May 30. 

Sporting News provided updates throughout Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. (All Times Eastern)

MORE: Watch the Stanley Cup Final on fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Third Period

11:06 —  Game 1 belongs to the Golden Knights. Nosek hits the empty-netter. Golden Knights win 6-4.

11:00 —  Under four minutes remaining in the game, Washington is making a few last pushes hoping to send tie the game up once again.

10:58 —  Marchessault is back on the ice. Good news. 

10:51 —  Tomas Nosek breaks the tie! Shea Theodore finds Nosek back door and Vegas takes the lead.  Golden Knights lead 5-4.

10:50 —  Vegas' fourth line nearly breaks through again. Bellemarre and Reaves both get chances on net. 

10:38 —  There's a lot of commotion going on. Wilson blindly hits Marchessault, who is put into concussion-protocol. Wilson receives two minutes for interference, David Perron receives two minutes for crosschecking Alex Ovechkin.

10:32 —  Vegas' big man responds right back. Reaves roofs the puck past Holtby, Capitals defense falters again and unable to clear the puck out of the zone. Reaves may or may not have gotten away with a cross-check to the back of John Carlson.  Golden Knights tie 4-4.

10:29 —  The Alex Ovechkin line couldn't stay quiet much longer. Just over a minute into the period, Fleury accidentally knocks the puck into his own net after the Capitals began to pressure the Golden Knights. Tom Wilson credited with the goal. Assisted by Kuznetsov.  Capitals lead 4-3.

10:28 —  Period No. 3 is underway.

Second Period

10:09 —  End of the second period. Capitals and Golden Knights are tied at 3, with Vegas holding the shot advantage, 25-18. One more period, or maybe more?

9:58 —  Carlson's shot from the point bounces off Fleury's stick then off the post. Game remains tied as the Golden Knights kill of the Capitals' power play. 

9:56 —  Vegas has too many Knights on the ice. Capitals to their first power play of the night.

9:54 —  Under 10 minutes remaining in the period. Vegas continues to outshoot Washington — 10-5 in the period.

9:44 —  Oshie makes a no-look pass to John Carlson, who scores into the virtually empty net. Everyone on the ice was fooled on the play. Assisted by Oshie and Backstrom. Let's check in on Capital One Arena.  Capitals tie 3-3.

9:43 —  Vegas nearly scores but Holtby makes a remarkable save on the goal line.

9:37 —  Capitals are answering appropriately. Already two shots following Smith's tally but Vegas' fast-pace offense causing a sizable amount of problems for the Capitals defense thus far. Marc-Andre Fleury stops Jakub Vrana in-close to maintain the Vegas lead.

9:34 —  Holtby is unable to locate the puck. Reilly Smith finds the puck on his stick and sends it past Holtby.  Golden Knights lead 3-2. 

9:32 —  Vegas forces turnovers on two consecutive sequences. Reaves, who is standing directly in front of Holtby, unable to score early in the second period. It's starting to look like the beginning of the first period. Capitals are playing with fire here. 

9:30 —   It's time for the second period. Are you ready? Marchessault already has the Golden Knights' first shot of the period.

First Period

9:24 —  Before the second period begins, take a look at Alex Ovechkin taking this shot to the face like it's no big deal. 

9:07 —  It took the Capitals a decent portion of the period, but they appear into their normal groove. Vegas outshoots Washington, 11-9, at the end of the period.  

9:05 —  Back-and-forth we go! William Karlsson takes advantage of the misplaced John Carlson. Assists to Smith and Engelland.  Golden Knights tie 2-2.

9:00 —  T.J. Oshie attempts a wrap-around shot, places the puck in front of Fleury. Backstrom backhands the shot and suddenly, the Capitals have the lead. Assists to Oshie and Vrana.  Capitals lead 2-1.

8:58 —  Connolly deflects Michal Kempny's shot past Fleury and the Capitals have scored on their third shot of the game. Assists to Kempny and Burakovsky.  Capitals tie 1-1.

8:56 —  Ryan Reaves is letting Washington know he's sticking around. He got into a little scrum with Kuznetsov and Orpik

8:52 —  Brett Connolly is the latest Capital to have a chance, but unable to put the puck on Fleury. Capitals have just one shot through the period, seven minutes remaining in the period. 

8:46 —  At the midway point of the third period, the Golden Knights outshoot Washington 7-1. The Capitals are struggling to get their offense going. Crowd factor? Who knows but Vegas is looking pretty good thus far.

8:39 —  Colin Miller converts on the power play and has the first Stanley Cup goal in team history. Assisted by Erik Haula.  Golden Knights lead 1-0.

8:36 —  Caps begin to swarm in the offensive zone, but Andre Burakovsky takes a penalty. Two minutes for boarding. Vegas to the power play.

8:34 —  Vegas' top line is buzzing. Marchessault nearly deflects William Karlsson's pass by Holtby, but the Caps goaltender makes a slew of saves. Both teams are still scoreless.

8:30 —  Matt Niskanen is wide open but sends his shot wide of Fleury. Ryan Carpenter has the Golden Knights first shot on net following the play. 

8:27 —  We are underway in Game 1!

Pregame

8:18 —  Vegas' pregame entertainment, Stanley Cup Final edition.

7:42 p.m. —  Vegas and Washington have taken the ice for warmups.

7:40 p.m. —  Meanwhile, at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

6:58 p.m. —  Lil Jon has overtaken Vegas. It's getting rowdy outside of T-Mobile Arena.

5:37 p.m. —  The Capitals break down how they relaxed ahead of Game 1. Matt Niskanen seems like a Wario or Toad type of guy.

3:15 p.m. —  Deryk Engelland spoke to the media ahead of tonight's Game 1.

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Alec Gearty