TC Martin

VGK Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead 

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Although the Vegas Golden Knights have been playing outstanding hockey, not many were expecting this result.  “I don’t think people had this on their bingo card,” Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan said. “We knew we could do it.”

 

Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev scored in a 2:07 span in the third period and the Golden Knights stunned the Avalanche 3-1 on Friday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final.

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This was the fourth third-period comeback by the Golden Knights in this postseason, the most in a single playoff in team history.   Before the Golden Knights’ rally, the Avalanche were 45-0-0 when leading after two periods in the regular season and playoffs combined.

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The Avalanche was the best team during the regular season and were 7-1 heading into this series.  Colorado had averaged four goals per game in their two previous series wins against Los Angeles and Minnesota. 

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“It stings for sure right now,” Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “But tomorrow we’ll wake up, have a meeting, fly to Vegas and regroup. That’s all you can do.”

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Colorado scored first with a Ross Colton goal in the opening period but after a scoreless second, the Knights scored three unanswered goals in the third to put the game away.  Jack Eichel tied the game at 1-1 and then two goals by Barbashev within a seven-minute span sealed the deal. 

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Since 1982, road teams that started 2-0 in the conference finals have a 13-0 series record. 

Game 3 is Sunday at 5:00pm at T-Mobile Arena with Game 4 on Tuesday.