Stephenson’s OT Goal Gives Golden Knights 3-2 Win Over Stars, Lead 2-0 In West Final
May 21, 2023, 5:32 PM | Updated: May 22, 2023, 4:12 pm
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chandler Stephenson jumped on a rebound 1:12 into overtime and hit the back of the net to complete a rally and give the Vegas Golden Knights a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Sunday and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final.
RELATED STORIES
Jonathan Marchessault forced overtime with a shot from the slot with just 2:22 left in the third period.
Stephenson, Marchessault and Mark Stone each had a goal and an assist for Vegas, and Adin Hill saved 26 shots.
Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored for the Stars, and Ryan Suter had two assists. Jake Oettinger made 21 saves.
All four games of the conference finals have gone to overtime, the first time in NHL history that has occurred. Also, Dallas is the fifth team to lose four OT games in a postseason.
ANOTHER OVERTIME WIN TO TAKE A 2-0 SERIES LEAD!!!!!!!#VegasBorn | #UKnightTheRealm pic.twitter.com/ngaZ4Z4Nyf
— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 21, 2023
Game 3 is Tuesday in Dallas.
RELATED: Howden Scores In OT, Golden Knights Beat Stars 4-3 In Game 1 Of West Final
Each team took advantage of funky bounces to score in the first period.
Heiskanen scored just 2:47 into the game for the Stars, the puck hopping over Hill. That was the 10th time this postseason the Knights have given up the first goal, but they now have won seven of those games.
Vegas evened the scored at 10:08 when the puck went off Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell’s skate and Stone buried the 5-on-3 power-play goal.
Robertson scored for the second game in a row when he knocked in a rebound on a power play at 9:21 of the second period to put Dallas back in front at 2-1. That goal rewarded a Stars defensive effort that allowed just 10 shots on goal through the first two periods.
⚔️ CHANDLER STEPHENSON ⚔️
The @GoldenKnights win it in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/W0EgbxOZeE
— NHL (@NHL) May 21, 2023
The Knights, however, picked up the pressure in the third period with 12 shots on goal. They forced overtime with 2:22 left when Jack Eichel from behind the net found Marchessault.
