The Vegas Golden Knights shut out the Stars 4-0 in Dallas on Tuesday to win Game 3 and take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference final. Here’s what you need to know:
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Jack Eichel set up Jonathan Marchessault with a sensational pass to tie Game 2 in the final minutes. He picked up in Game 3 with a similar play, freezing Oettinger before slipping a pass across to Marchessault to one-time into the wide-open net. The play gave Vegas a lead only 1:11 into the contest and set the tone for the entire game.
Eichel leads Vegas this postseason in assists (10) and points (17). Marchessault’s goal was his seventh of the playoffs, tying him with William Karlsson and Chandler Stephenson for the team lead. — Granger
Hill wears a mask with a brick wall painted on the front, and Tuesday night in Dallas he was every bit of one. He stopped all 34 shots for his first career playoff shutout, and his first as a Golden Knight. The win improved his record to 6-1 in these playoffs. He’s been a rock backstopping Vegas’ strong defense since taking the net midway through the second round. — Granger
The loss of Benn was massive for the Stars, made even worse by the fact that it was self-inflicted. Benn’s cross-check was completely unnecessary and dangerous. It’s the kind of departure that is just deflating as opposed to something the team could rally around. Beyond that, Benn could very well be facing a suspension.
VEGAS TOOK OFF IN THE FIRST PERIOD OF GAME 3 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/fssdfp8FYA
On the ice, the Stars lost their second-leading scorer. Benn had 78 points in the regular season, behind only Jason Robertson’s 109 points. He’s a staple on the first power-play unit as well and one of the primary physical forces on the Stars roster.
Above all, Benn is the captain. He’s the player the team looks to for a boost and somebody to follow. He provided the opposite of that less than two minutes into a must-win game. — Yousuf
When you’re hot, you’re hot. 🔥
Jonathan Marchessault strikes first for Vegas in Game 3! pic.twitter.com/eYqsJUdSGm
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2023
Hill earned his fifth straight win and matched the franchise record for longest winning streak in the postseason, tying Marc-Andre Fleury (three times) and Laurent Brossoit, per the NHL. Hill also became the first goaltender with a five-game winning streak during his first career postseason appearance since Jacob Markstrom (5-0 in 2020). Only six NHL goalies have had a longer run during their debut postseason.
(Photo: Steph Chambers / NHLI via Getty Images)
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