RTP Daily, September 11th: The Stars Are Shining Bright
It took an overtime, but the Dallas Stars take the series lead once again.
If we’re going to get one game a day, then I think it’s only fair they all go to overtime. After the Tampa Lightning and New York Islanders failed to give us the extra hockey we all want the previous game, the Vegas Golden Knights did the honours.
I can’t be the only one who thought this series would be more one-sided towards the Golden Knights. The Dallas Stars seem to be outplayed even when they win but have somehow remained resilient through it all.
On a side note, they showed a video of Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Pacioretty’s children cheering on the jumbotron during the game and I think the NHL is doing a fantastic job including the families in these games.
Thursday’s Game
Dallas Stars 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2, DAL leads series 2-1
If you were only following the score of the game, you would think it was a boring game. Even though the scoring didn’t start until the very last minute of the second period, both teams (and their goalies) played an exciting game up until that point.
The first period was all Golden Knights and it seemed they were carrying the momentum from their last game, but the Stars managed to survive the first period. The Stars seemed to have found their legs during the second period and for the most part played on pace with the mighty Golden Knights.
With about 25 seconds remaining in the second, the Dallas Stars managed to get the puck out of their own end to sprint Jamie Oleksiak on a breakaway that seemed to have taken a bit longer than usual to rush to the net. But Oleksiak got there and managed to score a pretty goal to end Lehner’s shutout at 171 minutes!
Oof, @jamieoleksiak with a real pretty goal to kick things off! #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) September 11, 2020
🇺🇸: https://t.co/sos8Hjayv6 @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/EM20vOYRo8 @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/2bYLKxr7Hd
The best part of this goal was probably Oleksiak’s own assessment of how it felt.
“I was kinda sucking wind on that breakaway. It wasn’t the fastest breakaway.” - Jamie Oleksiak with an accurate analysis of his goal.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 11, 2020
We agree Jamie, but it was pretty nonetheless.
A power play in the early stages of the third period gave the Golden Knights the tying goal they needed off a perfect blast from Shea Theodore. We get it, he’s really good.
With 12 minutes left in the game, Jamie Benn seemed to be all alone as he scored a goal that will probably keep Robin Lehner up tonight.
Jamie Benn has not been a productive playoff goal scorer in his career (16 goals in 50 games) but he makes it 2-1 here midway through the 3rd. 5 more years at 9.5 million cap hit. pic.twitter.com/J0ihr14mle
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) September 11, 2020
As with any playoff series, a little controversy never hurt and Alex Tuch’s third period tying goal was all the topic last night. Mark Stone’s “incidental” contact with goalie Anton Khudobin prompted a coach’s challenge for interference. The goal counted, but if the Golden Knights had won the game, I could see that call being a lot more controversial. The Knights do get away with a lot, but personally, in a playoff game I just don’t see the refs reversing this goal.
Alexander Radulov doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of overtime and he made sure everyone went to bed at a decent hour by winning the game less than a minute into extra time. Everything about this goal was cool, calm and collected. The Stars managed to get the puck and execute some calm but perfect passing, and Radulov strolled into the zone with the simplest shot that made a dramatic swirl into the net. Voila, a series lead.
🚨 ALEXANDER RADULOV OVERTIME WINNER
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) September 11, 2020
3-2 #GOSTARS pic.twitter.com/89h8YsNXIp
Extended highlights:
Friday’s Game:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Islanders, 8PM ET, TBL Leads Series 2-0
Can JG Pageau’s magic save the Islanders from facing a 3-0 deficit? Can the Bolts maintain their control over this series? Tune in to what should be another entertaining game tonight.