LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – With no margin for error, the Vegas Golden Knights turned in their best defensive performance of the 2024 playoffs, shutting out the Dallas Stars 2-0 in Las Vegas and forcing a deciding Game 7.
The defending champions came out firing in the first, tallying 10 shots on goal in the period. But Jake Oettinger continued his stellar play in net for the Stars and the frame ended in a scoreless tie.
The action tightened up in the second period and VGK squandered their first power play opportunity of Game 6. A Stars hooking penalty gave them another power play chance with less than six minutes left in the second, but the Knights came up empty once again.
Dallas drew a power play opportunity of their own with just under three minutes remaining in the period but Adin Hill kept the Stars at bay. The second period ended with the game still scoreless.
The netminders held center stage through the first half of the third period as the teams exchanged scoring chances with neither team breaking through until Noah Hanifin found the back of the net for Vegas with 10:06 left, energizing his teammates and the T-Mobile crowd.
VGK’s defense went into lockdown mode for the remainder of the contest, including Hill, who finished with 23 saves, several at point-blank range.
The Stars pulled their goaltender for an extra skater with just under 2:30 left in the game to no avail. The champs took advantage with a long, empty-net goal by Captain Mark Stone to seal the affair.
Game 7 is set for Sunday in Dallas (start time to be announced), with the winner advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
