The stars were shining Saturday night on the Las Vegas Strip. Fans at T-Mobile Arena were treated to an NHL classic and epic goaltending duel between the Dallas Stars Jake Oettinger and Vegas Golden Knights Laurent Brossoit.
Both goalies would finish with 41 saves, including many spectacular stops. Vegas took a 2-1 lead inside of five minutes remaining in the third period on Jack Eichel’s 20th goal of the season. The Golden Knights had a chance to ice the game with an empty net goal in the final minute of regulation. But a Vegas 2-on-1 pass was deflected near center ice, and about 15 seconds later, the Stars tied it up 2-2 and sent the game into overtime. Dallas completed the comeback to win 3-2 in a shootout.
Brossoit and Oettinger traded brilliant saves throughout the Western Conference showdown in Las Vegas. That included in the 3-on-3 overtime with many chances for both teams as the nearly 18,000 fans were in a frenzy during the end-to-end entertaining action.
Golden Knights radio play-by-play broadcaster Dan D’Uva was making many entertaining calls on the spectacular saves, including this one by Brossoit in overtime. Watch it a few times and judge for yourself. Amazing. Unbelievable.
At the post-game press conference, Dallas stars coach and former Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer said Brossoit’s save in overtime “might be the save of the year.”
Saturday NHL games highlights, goals and recaps
Brossoit has taken the starting netminder role with backup Adin Hill suffering an undisclosed injury. Starting rookie goalie Logan Thompson was recently put on injured reserve following a lower body injury suffered in a game Feb. 9. He joins Golden Knights captain and leading scorer Mark Stone (back surgery) on injured reserve. In just his third game back from offseason hip surgery, Brossoit has been superb.
He handled himself well in the postgame press interviews as well.
Vegas was a small -120 favorite, and live betting action made Vegas a huge favorite after taking a 2-1 lead late in the third period.
But Dallas delivered a late night magic act in Vegas to steal the show and game.
Stars coach Peter DeBoer added, “Anybody that was at this game tonight got their money’s worth.”
Yes they did, except for Golden Knights bettors.
You can bet on it.
Despite the loss, Vegas remains on top of the Western Conference and Pacific Division with 35 wins and 76 points through 59 games. Dallas tops the Central Division with 74 points through 59 games, and is tied with the Los Angeles Kings (74 points), who have played 60 games. Edmonton (71), Winnipeg (71), defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado (71), Minnesota (70), Seattle (70) and Calgary (66) complete the tight playoff race in the West. Nashville (62) is a longshot but still in the mix.
The Eastern Conference has the top teams in points led by record-setting Boston with 45 wins and 95 points to lead the Atlantic Division. Carolina (86) is next on top of the Metropolitan Division followed by New Jersey (83), Toronto (80), Tampa Bay (78) and New York Rangers (75) all in playoff position. The final two playoff spots are likely to be decided by six teams all within 3-points of each other - New York Islanders (67), Pittsburgh (65), Buffalo (64), Detroit (64), Florida (64) and Washington (64). Ottawa (60) is a longshot, but has three games in hand on Florida and Washington, and has played four fewer games than the Islanders.
Vegas has a tough 3-game stretch this week at Colorado Monday before returning home to face top Eastern Conference teams Carolina March 1 and New Jersey March 3. Home and away games vs. division opponents Edmonton March 25 and 28 and Seattle to close the regular season April 11 and 13 will be most meaningful, along with back-to-back games vs. the LA Kings and Dallas April 6 and 8.
The Dallas Stars toughest stretch in pursuit of a top playoff seed starts March 9 with a six game road trip - at Buffalo, Seattle (2x) and then the Western Canada tough trek through Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
The leading favorites and contenders to win the 2023 Stanley Cup. Odds on FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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It was just three years ago that the Stars beat the Golden Knights in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. A playoff rematch would be welcomed by both teams.
You can bet on it.
