LAS VEGAS (AP) — The problems for Dallas are two-fold — the Stars aren’t getting great scoring chances and for long stretches aren’t even putting the puck on net.
That’s primarily why the Golden Knights are back in Las Vegas with a 2-0 lead in the first-round NHL playoffs series. Game 3 is Saturday night (10:30 p.m. EDT, TBS).
In Game 1, a 4-3 Dallas loss, the Stars didn’t get a shot on goal in the second period until 8:52 into it. Vegas closed out the 3-1 victory in Game 2 by holding Dallas without a shot on goal over the final 5:38.
“It’s tight through the neutral zone,” Stars forward Jason Robertson said. “We’ve got to pick our spots, whether to skate (the puck) or put it in a spot where we can get it back.”
That kind of defense was a major reason why the Knights won the Stanley Cup last year, but there were lapses this season as Vegas battled injuries and illness on the blue line. The Knights began to find themselves defensively about a month ago.