FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Stars - Game 4 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Stars – Game 4 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (11-4) vs Dallas Stars (9-8)

 

The Dallas Stars stay alive in Game Four, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime. 

It is game 4 of the Golden Knights vs Stars series. 

The Vegas Golden Knights were hoping to sweep the series and win the Western Conference to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, but it didn’t come to fruition as the Dallas Stars survived Game 4 and got the win in overtime, 3-2.

Joe Pavelski scored the game-winning goal in overtime for the Stars. Now, the series heads back to Las Vegas for Game Five with the Golden Knights leading the series 3-1.

“Just really living in the moment,” Pavelski said. “A tremendous feeling for sure, and glad we could play another game, and go from there and try to extend it.”

Pavelski scored three minutes into overtime with Dallas on the power play firing a one-timer shot from the middle of the left circle to the far post for the game-winner.

Jason Robinson also played a part in the Stars’ victory as he scored two goals and got his first career multi-goal game of the playoffs.

“We’re looking for goals and that’s kind of my responsibility I put on myself,” Robertson said. “I know these playoffs have been tough. … I was able to get the bounces that we needed tonight.”

After being pulled in Game 3 for allowing three goals within the first seven minutes, Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger played sensationally, ending the night with 37 saves.

“Great response. Jake’s been that guy all year. I’ve said that,” Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said. “Every time our team’s stumbled, every time he’s had a stumble, his response has been exactly like it was tonight. I had no doubt that’s what we were going to get. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. I think he’s starting to heat up here too.”

William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault each scored for the Golden Knights, and goaltender Adin Hill ended the night with 39 saves.

“We weren’t fast early on. I don’t think we managed pucks well below the goal line,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Now, by the time you get it out, you’re tired. When you’re changing, and you’re not in your structure, they’re coming through [the dangerous areas]. I think there was a little bit of that going on early, where we allowed them through there and they were executing. I just thought today below the goal line our team didn’t execute like they normally do on the breakout.”

End of the first period in the Golden Knights vs Stars series

The Golden Knights started on the right track and took a 1-0 lead in the first period. 

The start of periods 2 and 3 in the Golden Knights vs Stars series.

The Golden Knights had a great start when Reilly Smith’s shot was tipped in by William Karlsson for a 1-0 lead in the first four minutes of the first period.

The Stars answered with a goal with five minutes left in the first as Jason Robinson scored on a power play to tie the game 1-1.

“I think we were playing a lot faster, a lot quicker,” Robertson said. “More predictable, clean on our breakouts, supporting the puck. Holding onto pucks more in the offensive zone, getting some rotations, causing some scrambles, and getting a lot of opportunities.”

Jonathan Marchessault put Vegas back in the lead 2-1 in the second period after tipping the puck in from the right side of the net. It was Marchessault’s third straight game with a goal and his sixth goal in the past five games.

The Golden Knights needed to stay consistent and hang on to their one-goal lead, but that all changed seven minutes later when Robinson of the Stars tied the game 2-2 after shooting a backhand shot past Adin Hill.

“I think they were willing to trade a little bit more,” Smith said. “Their [defensemen] were pinching a little bit and giving us chances with 2-on-1s, 3-on-2s. Sometimes with that you get caught going the wrong way, and they got some opportunities.”

Even while playing without their team captain Jamie Benn, the Stars were able to pull off the overtime victory. Dallas was 0-4 in overtime this postseason before their victory.

The Stars avoided getting swept but still have their backs against the wall in a pivotal Game Five. The Golden Knights now have an opportunity to clinch the series and win the Western Conference for the second time in front of their home crowd.

“I don’t think we did a good enough job of making it difficult on them. So we get another opportunity in two days.” said Reilly Smith.

The final score in game 4 of the Golden Knights vs Stars series was 3-2, Dallas.

 On Saturday, the Golden Knights will play the Dallas Stars in Game Five of the Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is at 5:00 PM. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) and ESPN (channel 30 on Cox cable) or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.