Vegas gets revenge for controversial Game 1 hit with a cheap shot
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair, with the Golden Knights eventually beating the Capitals 6-4 in Vegas.
As you’d expect from postseason hockey, the game was physical — but one particular shot crossed the line.
When the score tied at 4-4 in the third period, Washington forward Tom Wilson blindsided Golden Knights star Jonathan Marchessault with a late hit.
Tom Wilson….you can’t do that pic.twitter.com/HF4mORSowc
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 29, 2018
Marchessault lay on the ice afterward and then entered the NHL concussion protocol. Wilson was given two minutes for interference rather than a major penalty, and it was offset by a two-minute minor for cross-checking on the Knights’ David Perron.
Vegas was upset with the call and the cheap shot, with Marchessault saying, “It was a late hit. I don’t really need to talk more about it. I think the league will take care of it.”
It didn’t. The NHL decided not to suspend Wilson for the play.
But hockey players tend to handle discipline on the ice when necessary.
In Game 2 Wednesday night, Knights enforcer Ryan Reaves came face-to-face with Wilson after a whistle in the second period.
The right winger dropped him with a jab straight to the chin.
Reaves received a well-earned two-minute minor for roughing.
The Caps, however, got even on the scoreboard, winning 3-2 at T-Mobile Arena to even the series at one game apiece.
It was the first Stanley Cup Final victory in franchise’s 43-year history.
Braden Holtby was spectacular in goal for Washington, making 37 saves — including a reaching stick stop on the Knights’ Alex Tuch with 1:59 remaining.
https://twitter.com/NBCSCapitals/status/1002022590716760064
“It was a great save,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said via NHL.com. “You could see the emotion on our bench. Once he made that save, I knew we were going to win the game.”
AP's @locherphoto got the only photo you'll need of Braden Holtby's insane save in the Stanley Cup Final tonight. Holy moly. pic.twitter.com/tmKMKwlvpA
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 31, 2018
Lars Eller had a goal and two assists for the Caps, and Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Orpik also scored.
The series heads to Washington for Game 3 on Saturday.
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