Anaheim Ducks beat Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 to level playoff series
The Anaheim Ducks produced a rare defensive masterclass to secure a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights and level their Western Conference semi-final series at 1-1 on Wednesday night.
Head coach Joel Quenneville saw his side overcome their regular-season frailties to deliver an outstanding performance at five-on-five and on the penalty kill.
The Californian franchise ranked an underwhelming 29th in goals-against average during the regular NHL season.
However, they managed to completely frustrate the home side in Las Vegas, holding a shutout until the final six seconds of the contest.
Dostal stands tall under pressure
Goaltender Lukas Dostal anchored the resilient display by stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced.
The Czech netminder even likened himself to a soccer goalkeeper during several frantic scrambles in front of the crease.
“We know we have an amazing goalkeeper in the back, so it helps a lot too,” said Ducks centre Leo Carlsson.
Quenneville admitted his team rode their luck during a heavy third-period onslaught from the hosts.
“Obviously we’re lucky two or three times there at the end where they had open looks at the net,” the veteran coach noted.
“We were diving all over the place and were lucky that it didn’t go in.”
Rookie Sennecke sparks crucial victory
After dominating even-strength possession, the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the second period through Beckett Sennecke.
The Golden Knights misread their defensive assignments, leaving the newly named NHL rookie of the year finalist completely unmarked to beat goaltender Carter Hart.
Carlsson doubled the advantage in the final period following a magnificent backhand pass from winger Troy Terry.
Jansen Harkins secured the win with an empty-net strike before Mark Stone grabbed a late consolation goal for Vegas on the power play.
“It’s not our tradition of playing that type of game – a low-scoring affair when we score first and we’re leading throughout the whole game. This is the only way you’re going to be successful in playoffs.”
Joel Quenneville, Anaheim Ducks Head Coach