Stanley Cup Playoffs May 18 2018 Review

FRIDAY’S RESULT
The Golden Knights defeated the Jets 3-2 to win Game 4 and take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Final. Teams that take a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals/Semifinals (since 1974-75) own an all-time series record of 41-1 (97.6%).

SMITH’S WINNER STUNS JETS AS GOLDEN KNIGHTS TAKE GAME 4 . . .
Reilly Smith (1-1—2) raced up the ice to score the go-ahead goal with 6:58 remaining in regulation as the Golden Knights won Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Final. Vegas, which shared third in the NHL with 29 home wins during the regular season, improved to 6-1 at T-Mobile Arena in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jonathan Marchessault (0-1—1) extended his point streak to six games (6-4—10) and boosted his totals to 8-10—18 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs to match the NHL record for most points by a player with a franchise in its first-ever postseason. His linemate Smith (2-14—16), who registered his fourth multi-point game of the postseason and second in three contests, moved within two of the mark.

Marc-Andre Fleury (35 saves) improved to 11-3 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (1.72 GAA, .945 SV%, 4 SO) and earned his 73rd career postseason win to move within one of tying Chris Osgood (74) for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time list among goaltenders. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Fleury improved to 12-5 in 19 career appearances in the Conference Finals (2.26 GAA, .921 SV%, 2 SO).

MOVE WITHIN ONE WIN OF A BERTH IN THE STANLEY CUP FINAL
The Golden Knights moved within one win of clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Final, a feat that only two NHL franchises have accomplished in their inaugural season – the Toronto Arenas in 1918 and St. Louis Blues in 1968.

The first postseason in League history saw the Toronto Arenas win the 1918 NHL Final, a two-game total-goals series, by a 10-7 margin against the Montreal Canadiens before defeating the Pacific Coast Hockey Association’s Vancouver Millionaires to win the Stanley Cup. In 1968, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars to emerge from the all-expansion West Division and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

In addition to the Arenas and Blues, only three other franchises in NHL history have clinched a Stanley Cup Final berth in their first-ever postseason appearance – the Montreal Maroons in 1926 (second season), Boston Bruins in 1927 (third season) and Florida Panthers in 1996 (third season).

GOLDEN KNIGHTS CONTINUE TREND OF QUICK STRIKES
The Golden Knights continued two recent scoring trends in Game 4 when they potted the first goal early in regulation and quickly answered a Jets goal in the second period.

William Karlsson opened the scoring at 2:25 of the first period, marking the fourth game this postseason and second in a row that the Golden Knights have scored in the opening five minutes of regulation. Vegas owns a 4-0 record in those contests.

After the Jets tied the game 1-1 on a power play with Tomas Nosek serving a tripping penalty, Nosek himself answered with a goal 43 seconds later. This marked the fourth time in this series that the Golden Knights answered a Jets goal within a two-minute span, and the third time they have done so inside of a minute.

Bush league officiating like that is an insult to the game. It’s nice to see that half a billion dollars can buy more than a few calls in a game. It is disappointing to see the greatest game disrespected like this.

— JBD (@judd4thedefense) May 19, 2018

With a bunch of missed calls on both sides so it doesn’t really matter. Don’t y’all get tired of blaming refs? Lol

— Drunken the Baptist (@TheRealKleos) May 19, 2018

EPISODE THREE OF QUEST FOR THE STANLEY CUP
In episode three, the cameras accompany Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury on his way to practice, ride along with Jets forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine, and examine the challenges of life on the road for Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
The Capitals and Lightning face off in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday in Tampa.

The road team has won each of the first four games of the series, marking the sixth time in the last 10 years and 26th time in Stanley Cup Playoffs history that a series has seen the road team win each of the first four contests. Of the 25 previous occurrences, the road team has won Game 5 only three times.

Overall, road teams own a 40-35 edge through 75 games in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (.533).

Saturday, May 19 Washington @ Tampa Bay 7:15 PM ET.