NHL Stanley Cup: One Win Away
Photo credit to Patrick Smith / Getty Images
TAMPA - In an exciting battle, the Vegas Golden Knights emerged victorious in Game 4, securing a commanding 3-1 lead in the series against the Florida Panthers. With grit and determination, the Vegas Golden Knights have propelled themselves into a great position, being one step closer to hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Right from the drop of the puck, both teams displayed their playoff intensity and kept fans on the edge of their seats. With the Panthers facing a must-win situation, they came out with a sense of urgency, hoping to even the series against the Golden Knights. They took every opportunity they could at the Vegas netminder, Adin Hill.
The first period was back-and-forth, as both teams were able to get shots on net, determined to score first. However, it was Vegas that drew first blood when Chandler Stephenson found the back of the net at the very beginning of the period.
With a goal at the beginning of the first period, Vegas became more confident in their abilities, displaying their offensive firepower throughout the game.
In the second period, Chandler Stephenson would add to his first-period goal, along with a goal from William Karlsson.
With the Vegas Golden Knights being up 3-0 halfway through the second period, it looked like defeat was imminent for the Florida Panthers. However, the Panthers would not go down without a fight, as Brandon Montour would score late in the second, as well as an Alexander Barkov goal early in the third, making it a close one-goal game.
Many penalties took place during this game, with a crucial one coming at 19:42 into the third period, as Golden Knights’ defenseman Alex Pietrangelo went to the penalty box for a delay of game penalty. Panthers fans sat on the edge of their seat, hoping for a power-play goal to keep their team alive and force overtime. Their fans would be disappointed, as the Golden Knights were able to defend their side of the ice and keep the Panthers at bay.
With the clock ticking down to zero, the Vegas Golden Knights went up 3-1 in the series and are one win away from redemption. The last time that they fought for the Stanley Cup was in their first season as a franchise, fighting against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in 2018.
To win and hoist the Stanley Cup on home ice, the Vegas Golden Knights have to maintain pressure and give the Florida Panthers all they can give, playing the hockey they’ve been playing all series.
For the Panthers, they are in for the fight of their life and have no choice but to play the best hockey that they’ve played all season. They cannot afford any mistakes and must skate with the Vegas Golden Knights to stay in the fight. They must be able to stay out of the penalty box, make clean passes and make each opportunity at the net count.
The Florida Panthers will face the Vegas Golden Knights at the T-Mobile Arena Tuesday June 13 at 8:00 pm EST. Will the Florida Panthers be able to claw back into the fight taking a win on the road and force a Game 6 or will they crumble and allow the Vegas Golden Knights to hoist the Stanley Cup? It all comes down to 60 minutes on Tuesday night. Get ready for a showdown like no other.