06/06/26 07:24:00
Printable Page
06/06 19:23 CDT Game 3 looms large as Hurricanes and Golden Knights trade
stunning comebacks
Game 3 looms large as Hurricanes and Golden Knights trade stunning comebacks
By MARK ANDERSON
AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) --- The Stanley Cup Final has been marked by wild swings, the
Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights each lamenting what could be a 2-0
series lead for either side.
So it's probably appropriate the teams split the first two games in Carolina,
but if history is a guide, the winner of Game 3 on Saturday night will have an
enormous edge. Teams that take a 2-1 series lead in the final went on to win
the Cup 46 of 57 times, or 80.7%.
The Golden Knights received a major boost when defenseman Brayden McNabb took
the ice. He took a puck in the face in the first period Thursday night at
Carolina and didn't return to the game. McNabb, who had on a cage to protect
his face, is Vegas' best defensive defenseman. He was on the first defensive
pair with Shea Theodore.
This series has been, if anything, unpredictable.
The Hurricanes couldn't have gotten off to a better start in the opener.
Nikolaj Ehlers scored just 25 seconds into the game and soon after added a
second goal for a 2-0 lead. But the Golden Knights rallied with three
consecutive goals to begin a back-and-forth finish.
Vegas ultimately won 5-4 when Tomas Hertl scored with 3:24 remaining off a
sensational backhand pass from Colton Sissons.
The Golden Knights appeared to take full control of the series in Game 2,
taking a 2-0 lead deep into third period. But Carolina scored three goals
beginning with 9:40 left before Mark Stone forced overtime with a six-on-five
goal with 1:21 remaining.
Seth Jarvis' power-play goal 3:56 into OT gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 victory and
evened the series.
Vegas is known for putting on a show, be it at T-Mobile Arena or elsewhere on
the famed Strip, but it will be difficult to top what happened in Carolina.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
|
