Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP
Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 | 2 a.m.
The Golden Knights have a chance to advance to the Western Conference Final for the second time in three years when they take on the Vancouver Canucks in Game 5 at 6:45 p.m. tonight on NBC Sports Network.
Vegas grabbed control of the series this weekend, winning back-to-back games to improve to 3-1 in the best-of-seven second round. The Golden Knights also went up 3-1 on the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, clinching the series in Game 5.
Here are three keys to victory in Game 5, sponsored by Credit One Bank.
Dominate 5-on-5 play
The Canucks have scored eight goals this series, and three have been on the power play. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have scored 15, and just four have come on the power play. The Golden Knights have not lost the edge at 5-on-5 at any point in this series, even in the Game 2 loss. Vegas has out-attempted Vancouver 239-173 at 5-on-5 in the first four games with an advantage in shots on goal 120-76. The Canucks’ power play is potent, but the Golden Knights’ play at 5-on-5 is just as lethal. And since most of the game is played at even strength, advantage Vegas.
Keep the third line rolling
It’s not that Vegas’ best players are on its third line, rather that is where the matchup is most skewed in Vegas’ favor. The Canucks have the high-end talent to at least hang with the Golden Knights when Mark Stone or Reilly Smith is on the ice, but they don’t have an answer when Nick Cousins, Nicolas Roy and Alex Tuch hop over the boards. Those three get to play against Vancouver’s down-lineup forwards and the bottom-four defensemen, exposing Vancouver’s thin depth as Tuch in particular continues to rack up goals. Tuch can play in the top-six on most teams in the league, but as a third-liner he has been wreaking havoc on the Canucks with three goals, an assist, and a team-best 74.1% expected-goals rate (according to Natural Stat Trick) this series.
Offense from the defense
And if Vancouver is able to slow down the Golden Knights forwards, it’s clear the forwards aren’t the only ones who can create offense. In the second round against the Canucks, Vegas defensemen have generated 15 points, most among any second-team. Shea Theodore leads all skaters regardless of position with seven assists this round. The Golden Knights’ blue line has been jumping into the rush, creating matchup nightmares for the Canucks. Expect that to continue tonight.
