Knights-Stars recap: Coaching decision proves pivotal in Game 1 win
At a glance
Golden Knights lead series 1-0
*If necessary
■ Game 1 — Knights 4, Stars 3
■ Game 2 —Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center (KMCC-34, ESPN)
■ Game 3 —Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (KMCC-34, TBS, truTV)
■ Game 4 —Monday, TBD at T-Mobile Arena (KMCC-34)
■ Game 5* —May 1, TBD at American Airlines Center (KMCC-34)
■ Game 6* —May 3, TBD at T-Mobile Arena (KMCC-34)
■ Game 7* — May 5, TBD at American Airlines Center (KMCC-34)
RJ’s three stars
3. Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin — The midseason acquisition had two assists in his first playoff game with the Knights. He also led the team in time on ice at 24:08 while anchoring an impressive defensive performance.
2. Stars forward Jamie Benn — Benn scored once for the Stars, but he was dangerous all night. The veteran had a game-high seven shots, four more than any other player. Benn also had three hits and was a physical presence for Dallas.
1. Knights center Jack Eichel — Eichel continues to do just about everything for the Knights. He recorded two assists Monday, played strong defense in key situations and won 11 of his 19 faceoffs.
Key play
Cassidy’s first-period challenge
The crowd at American Airlines Center was in a frenzy after defenseman Ryan Suter appeared to tie the game at 1-1 for Dallas 7:06 into the first period.
The building got quiet in a hurry after Knights coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the goal and was successful. It didn’t take long for the play to get overturned because Stars left wing Mason Marchment was offside.
It was a huge decision by Cassidy, who risked giving Dallas a power play in a tie game if he was wrong. He kept his team in the lead instead. The Knights rewarded him 1:21 later with another goal to extend their advantage to 2-0.
Key stat
2-for-2: The Knights power-play unit, which has been gaining confidence late in the season, got just two opportunities Monday night.
They cashed in on both chances.
Captain Mark Stone scored on a deflection in front of the net 1:23 into the first period. Center Tomas Hertl followed with a rebound goal 2:09 before the first intermission to give the Knights a 3-1 lead.
It was the exact kind of play the team wanted from Hertl after acquiring him from the San Jose Sharks before the trade deadline. He won a faceoff, skated right to the net and tapped in a loose puck after Hanifin’s shot was stopped by Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger.
The Stars’ power play, on the other hand, didn’t make an impact on the game. Dallas didn’t score on either of its power-play opportunities.
Notable
Stone was ready to make an impact despite missing more than two months of action.
He got on the board almost right away in his first game since Feb. 20 after suffering a lacerated spleen.
Stone was on the ice for two of the Stars’ goals but he still finished the game strong. He was on the ice battling with Oettinger out of the net and Dallas pushing for a game-tying goal with an extra attacker. Stone played 17:09, second-most among Knights forwards behind Eichel.
Knights quotable
“It’s like business as usual. We’re here for business. Nobody is too excited right now. Obviously, we’re happy we won a game but we know it doesn’t mean anything right now. Midnight means it’s a new game Wednesday and we’re going to focus on that. Business as usual.”
— Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault
Stars quotable
“They’re as advertised. A good team, obviously the additions make a difference for them for sure. If you’re going to knock off the Stanley Cup champions, then you’re going to have to bring your A-game every night. Tonight, we did some decent things and did some things well, but we were chasing the game the whole night from the first shot of the game on. Tough to play from behind against that team.”
— Stars coach Pete DeBoer
Adam Hill Review-Journal
