Florida defeats Las Vegas to close the gap to 2-1 in NHL Finals

After two heavy setbacks in Nevada, the Florida Panthers beat the Vegas Golden Knights (3-2) on Thursday, thanks to a superb goal from Carter Verhaeghe in overtime. This success allows the Florida team to reduce the gap to 2 to 1 in the Stanley Cup final.

Verhaeghe was the triggering element of the spectacular reversal of the situation in favor of Florida in this third game, since he himself delivered the coup de grace at the start of overtime, with a cannon shot clearing the skylight of ‘Adin Hill.

The latter was all the more resigned, as he was much less solicited than his vis-à-vis Sergei Bobrovsky, author of many decisive stops, as the Golden Knights had opportunities to increase the score when they were leading 2 -1.

Marchessault makes finals history

This advantage, which therefore did not sufficiently protect them, was the work of the essential Jonathan Marchessault, who placed the puck in a mouse hole, on receiving a judicious pass from Jack Eichel, in the second period to allow the Knights to lead 2-1. The Canadian thus became the first player in 35 years to score in the first three matches of a final.

The Panthers then played their all out, releasing their goalie with more than 3 minutes left to play. At 6 against 5, the Floridians press on the nets of Hill, on a new recovery of the puck, Carter Verhaeghe sends to the cage and the inevitable Matthew Tkachuk takes the rebound for the equalizer. His eleventh goal of the play-offs.

With their victory, the Panthers gave themselves some hope of winning the first Stanley Cup in their history. A goal shared by the Golden Knights who will have to start better and finish game number 4 better on Saturday, still in Florida.