Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) checks Vancouver Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher (51) during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 | 12:02 p.m.
The Golden Knights twice in this series against the Vancouver Canucks appeared to be playing on a different level. The end result was a pair of shutout victories on the way to a 2-1 series advantage.
But in the game Vegas dropped, the Canucks’ offense broke through with five goals. Although Vegas had 93 shot attempts in the defeat, those were overshadowed by a few defensive breakdowns in a three-goal Game 2 loss.
Avoiding those breakdowns will be a point of emphasis in Game 4 at 7:30 p.m. tonight. If Vegas can control the pace of the game and put pressure on Vancouver like in Saturday’s 3-0 victory, it will be in position to take a commanding series lead.
“I feel like we roll four lines over the boards and come at them in waves, I think it’s an advantage for us,” forward Nick Cousins of playing back-to-back games. “We should establish our game plan here in the first 20 minutes, get in on the forecheck, make it hard on their ‘D.’ We should give ourselves a good chance to win.”
Part of that play, especially last night, was Brayden McNabb.
The Vegas defenseman logged 26:09 of ice time, the most he’s ever played. He had a team-high five hits and was on the ice for the final 2:47 of the game defending the Canucks’ last push with an extra attacker.
McNabb and his partner Nate Schmidt struggled in the Game 2 loss, but returned to top form in Game 3, defending mostly J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat and effectively neutralizing them.
“I think (McNabb) played the game I’m used to seeing him play,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. “Game 2, he was a lot like the rest of our team, had a bit of an off night. He quickly got that fixed and I think he was excellent last night.”
The starting goalie question looks like it’s not going away anytime soon. Despite a 32-save shutout from Robin Lehner last night, a report from longtime hockey writer John Shannon said Vegas is leaning toward Marc-Andre Fleury starting in Game 4. DeBoer did not confirm either way when asked.
It’s a luxury for the Golden Knights to have two capable goalies, particularly in a series that should it go seven games, would feature five games in seven days. That’s a lot for any goalie to shoulder, and if Fleury goes tonight, it allows Lehner to return for a potential clinch game on Tuesday on two days’ rest.
“We’ve got a plan and we’re going to continue on the path that we know is the right one for our group,” DeBoer said.
Balancing playing time was the big narrative entering the playoffs, but so far it’s been a clear starter-backup workshare as opposed to the 1A and 1B situation that was suggested. Lehner has started nine of the 11 postseason games and Fleury’s two starts have been mixed: a poor outing in the round-robin against St. Louis, and a strong one in Game 4 against Chicago.
The Golden Knights won both of Fleury’s starts and are 7-2 with Lehner in net.
Series: Golden Knights lead 2-1
TV: NBC Sports Network (DirecTV 220, Cox 38, CenturyLink 640)
Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM
Betting line: Golden Knights minus-220, Canucks plus-180; over/under: 5.5 (minus-130, plus-110)
Golden Knights (9-2, Western Conference No. 1 seed)
Previous round: Defeated Chicago in first round, 4-1
Coach: Peter DeBoer (first season)
Points leaders: Shea Theodore (12)
Goals leaders: Alex Tuch (7)
Assists leaders: Shea Theodore (8)
Expected goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (2.50 GAA, .886 save percentage)
Canucks (8-5, Western Conference No. 7 seed)
Previous round: Defeated St. Louis in first round, 4-2
Coach: Travis Green (third season)
Points leaders: Elias Pettersson (16)
Goals leader: Bo Horvat (6)
Assists leaders: Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson (11)
Expected goalie: Jacob Markstrom (2.68 GAA, .924 save percentage)
Golden Knights projected lineup
Forwards
Max Pacioretty—William Karlsson—Mark Stone
Jonathan Marchessault—Paul Stastny—Reilly Smith
Nick Cousins—Nicolas Roy—Alex Tuch
William Carrier—Chandler Stephenson—Ryan Reaves
Defensemen
Brayden McNabb—Nate Schmidt
Alec Martinez—Shea Theodore
Nick Holden—Zach Whitecloud
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury, Robin Lehner
