2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Final

2023

By NHL Public Relations

May 25, 2023

The Golden Knights can clinch the second Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history and first since their historic inaugural season (2017-2018) when they take a 3-0 series lead into Game 4 against the Stars on Thursday.

The contest is available on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and CBC in Canada.

Vegas is vying to become the eighth franchise in NHL history with multiple Final berths within its first six NHL seasons, following the Oilers (3x), Blues (3x), Rangers (3x), Bruins (3x), original Ottawa Senators (3x), Montreal Maroons (2x) and Toronto Arenas/St. Patricks (2x).

Alec Martinez (2-0—2 in 5 GP), Phil Kessel (0-1—1 in 3 GP), Ivan Barbashev (1-0—1 in 1 GP), Mark Stone (1-0—1 in 1 GP) and Alex Pietrangelo (0-1—1 in 1 GP) are the current Golden Knights players with at least one point in potential clinching games during the Conference Finals/Semifinals. Martinez has yet to tally this postseason but can become the third defenseman in NHL history with three goals in potential closeout contests during the round before the Final, joining Doug Harvey (3-5—8 in 12 GP) and Ott Heller (3-2—5 in 6 GP).

Joe Pavelski (7-10—17 in 28 GP), Tyler Seguin (3-8—11 in 15 GP) and Ryan Suter (1-10—11 in 21 GP) are the current Dallas players that have at least 10 career points in potential elimination games, with Pavelski’s total ranking among the top 10 for active players.

Adin Hill can become the seventh goaltender in NHL history with a six-game winning streak during the same playoff year in which they made their postseason debut, following Bill Durnan (8-0 in 1944), Antti Niemi (7-0 in 2010), Cam Ward (7-0 in 2006), Ilya Bryzgalov (6-0 in 2006), Vesa Toskala (6-0 in 2006) and Jean-Sebastien Giguere (6-0 in 2003).

Click here to read the May 25 edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates which features the full list as well as more notes on the Stars, who face the task of becoming the fifth franchise in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to win a series after facing a 3-0 deficit and the first to do so during the round before the Final.

Source: NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 25, 2023, #NHLStats: Live Updates – May 25, 2023 Edition

Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes the save against the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

By Taylor Baird / NHL.com Independent Correspondent

May 23, 2023

DALLAS — Adin Hill made 34 saves for the Vegas Golden Knights, who are one win away from the Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Dallas Stars 4-0 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final at American Airlines Center on Tuesday.

Vegas moved within one win of its second Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history (also 2018).

The Golden Knights would be the eighth franchise in League history to reach the Final multiple times within their first six NHL seasons, following the Oilers (3x), Blues (3x), Rangers (3x), Bruins (3x), original Ottawa Senators (3x), Montreal Maroons (2x) and Toronto Arenas/St. Patricks (2x).

Game 4 of the best-of-7 series will be here on Thursday.

Hill earned his fifth straight win and matched the franchise record for longest winning streak in the postseason. The others: Marc-Andre Fleury (3x) and Laurent Brossoit.

Ivan Barbashev had a goal and two assists, and Nicolas Roy had two assists for the Golden Knights, who are the top seed from the West.

Jake Oettinger allowed three goals on five shots before being pulled 7:10 into the first period for the Stars, who are the No. 2 seed from the Central Division. Scott Wedgewood made 10 saves in relief.

Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas a 1-0 lead at 1:11 of the first period. Jack Eichel gloved down the puck and sent a cross-ice pass to Marchessault, who shot into an open net from the left circle.

Marchessault has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past five games.

Stars captain Jamie Benn was ejected 42 seconds later after he was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for cross-checking Mark Stone.

On the ensuing power play, Barbashev made it 2-0 at 5:57 when he took a pass from Roy on a 3-on-2 rush and scored off the left shoulder of Oettinger from the top of the left circle.

William Carrier pushed it to 3-0 at 7:10, roofing a backhand short side from the right face-off dot.

Alex Pietrangelo made it 4-0 at 8:28 of the second period with a shot through traffic from above the circles just as a power play expired.

Hill and Brossoit became the second set of teammates in NHL history to each have a five-game winning streak in a playoff year, following Phil Myre and Pete Peeters with the Flyers in 1980.

Source: nhl.com, NHL Stats Resources