Golden Knights lead series 2-1 after overtime loss in Game 3
As expected, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final was a lot more closely contested than either of the first two games, as the Panthers and Golden Knights we’re locked in a one-goal game from start to finish. Speaking of the start, Vegas didn’t have their legs in the first period. Florida had all the jump in the opening 20 minutes, and it nearly took Vegas the entire period to generate more than a handful of shot attempts. However, Matthew Tkachuk missed 17 minutes of action when he was pulled by the concussion spotter after a big hit by Keegan Kolesar, which helped the Golden Knights turn things around.
Vegas only trailed for 12 minutes, though, and they managed to tie the game before the first intermission, and they were the better team from that point on. The Golden Knights held a small edge in shot attempts over the final two periods and an even bigger edge in expected goals. The Golden Knights weren’t giving the Panthers anything in the third period, either, but Bobrovsky was perfect long enough for head coach Paul Maurice to pull him and score the game-tying goal. Florida has yet to score a power play goal (0-12) in three games versus the Golden Knights, and Vegas has gone 10 for 17 with the man advantage, but the Panthers killed off a penalty in extra time before Carter Verhaeghe scored the winner. Florida improved to 7-0 in overtime with the win.
Updated Series Projections
Vegas Golden Knights: 75% (-300)
Florida Panthers: 25% (+300)VGK 4-1: 30% (+233)
VGK 4-2: 26% (+285) VGK 4-3: 19% (+426)