Joe Pavelski never engraved his name on the Stanley Cup. At 38, he knows he won’t have many chances just yet. The American still has the right to dream of it.
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Pavelski scored the deciding overtime goal in the Stars’ 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Dallas on Thursday. He defeated Adin Hill with a powerful one-timer after a precise relay run from Miro Heisaknen on the power play.
Brayden McNabb was hit for a high stick against Ty Dellandrea early in extra time.
The Stars lost in the first three games of this final, including twice in overtime, and broke the ice with a first win. They avoided the affront of a sweep like the Carolina Hurricanes did against the Florida Panthers.
The answer of the big names
The stars showed character with this win. Peter DeBoer’s team refused to die despite captain Jamie Benn’s suspension. Evgenii Dadonov, the former Canadian, was also absent from that meeting through injury.
To win a first game, the Texan formation used the work of their big guns. Start in front of the net. Jake Oettinger, chased in the first period of the third clash, recovered with 37 saves.
Jason Robertson also carried the offensive on his shoulders with two goals. It was his first double since the playoffs began. Robertson constantly threatened Hill with eleven shots.
Heiskanen also had his say on the blue line with two assists, three shots and 30 minutes of play.
In the case of Pavelski, he scored his ninth goal in the playoffs but his fourth crucial goal. Since making his NHL debut, the Wisconsin-born winger has now scored 18 game-winning goals in the playoffs.
Marchesault again
In the Golden Knights camp, they must wait to snag their second ticket to the finals in just six seasons.
William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault, two of the original Knights players, scored against Oettinger.
Marchessault continued his very good work in the playoffs, scoring an eighth goal and a 14th point in 15 games.
Always used in the center by Marchessault and Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel ended the evening with an assist. The former Buffalo Sabers didn’t get Oettinger’s number in the game and missed several chances.
First period
1-VGK: William Karlsson (8)(Smith, Roy) 4:17
2-Dal: Jason Robertson (5)(Heiskanen, Hintz) AN-15:42
Penalties: McNabb (VGK) 14:56
second period
3-VGK: Jonathan Marchessault (8)(McNabb, Acorn) 10:23
4-Dal: Jason Robertson (6)(Lindell, Domi) 17:21
Penalties: Dellandrea (Dal) 5:54
third period
No goal
Penalties: No penalty
renewal
5-Dal: Joe Pavelski (9)(Heiskanen, Hintz) AN-3:18
Penalties: McNabb (VGK) 2:28
Shoot the net
Vegas 13-10-14-2-39 Dallas 11-19-8-4-42
Guardian:
VGK: Adin Hill (PP, 6-1) Dal: Jake Oettinger (G, 9-8)
Numerical advantages:
VGK: 0 to 1, Dal: 2 to 2
Referee:
Jean Hebert, Chris Rooney
linesman:
Matt MacPherson, David Brisebois
HELP:
18,532