After two days off, the Golden Knights and Panthers were back in action tonight in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
For Florida, it was a game crucial to their survival.
And Brandon Montour understood that. In the opening minutes, he scored his first goal since Game 1 in Toronto. It was also his first point since that series.
Montour on a mission. 😤
The defenseman gives the Panthers an early lead. 👀 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/j1elCBKPZG
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 9, 2023
But, Vegas created the tie before the end of the period. On the power play, Mark Stone sent everyone home.
Mark Stone tips it home on the power play and we’re all tied up! 🪢 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/LaJpv7cBo5 #NHLonTNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uEVY6yYjf7 pic.twitter.com/bX76OLJ8q2– NHL (@NHL) June 9, 2023
Later in the first period, Matthew Tkachuk, the best player of the 2023 series, was solidly hit by Keegan Kolesar. The American left the game momentarily with a shoulder injury (according to Elliotte Friedman). Worse still, at the start of the second period, he was not on his team’s bench.
But a few minutes later, he was back. It’s the finals after all!
Tkachuk returns to the bench to finish his snack. pic.twitter.com/z1uXN9DCZi
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 9, 2023
In the second period, the Knights took advantage of another power play to take the lead.
This time, Jonathan Marchessault rattled the strings and became the leading scorer of the series, tied with Leon Draisaitl. A left-field candidate for the Conn Smythe?
Will the Panthers catch on? They allow ANOTHER shorthanded goal, STILL the work of Marchessault… and it’s 2-1 to the Golden Knights 😬😬 pic.twitter.com/aN5GSIt8z9
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 9, 2023
The visitors were heading for victory, but Matthew Tkachuk decided otherwise. With just over two minutes to go, he sent both teams into overtime.
WHO ELSE BUT MATTHEW TKACHUK TO TIE IT? 🧀 pic.twitter.com/svHpGGyUON
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 9, 2023
And in overtime, the Panthers completed the comeback thanks to Carter Verhaeghe. Final score: 2-1.
SWAGGY VERHAEGE WINS IT FOR THE PANTHERS IN OVERTIME!🚨
🎥: @BR_OpenIce
– BarDown (@BarDown) June 9, 2023
Vegas now leads the series 2-1. The next game is Saturday, 8pm, in Florida.
Breaking news
– Of note.
Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Ryan Huska is the favourite to become the next head coach of the Calgary Flames. pic.twitter.com/hKY0sa226S
– Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) June 9, 2023
– Do we say yes to this hypothetical trade?
Am I excited about the potential addition of Pierre-Luc Dubois? Definitely. But not at any price!
FLA 1st + Dvorak/Edmundson + Decent prospect (e.g. Kidney/Kapanen).
And a 7-8 season contract at an annual salary of 7-7.5 million.
Otherwise, too bad! #CH #Habs #Canadiens
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) June 9, 2023
– Congratulations to them.
Field hockey: Seven new members of the QMJHL Hall of Fame👏https://t.co/UtRG74HNGH
– RDS (@RDSca) June 9, 2023
– Great speech from CH assistant coach.
Great speech by Stéphane Robidas, who salutes all the important people in his career.
Including the Comet.
“I’m proud to be a Quebecer and to have chosen the QMJHL.” pic.twitter.com/xGH1azbLqw
– Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 9, 2023
– Difficult for him.
Shane Wright. AHL Playoffs.
17 games for
2-4-6– Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) June 9, 2023