Jets vs. Golden Knights: Game 5 Prediction
The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals, but can they advance or will the Winnipeg Jets live to fight another day?
What a story it’s been, and now it’s just one win away from going one step further. The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first ever season of existence. They stole a game on the road and took both games on home ice and lead their Western Conference Finals series against the Winnipeg Jets 3-1, and look to come into Winnipeg to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Vegas wasn’t even expected to be competing for a playoff spot when the season began. They were supposed be absolute garbage and nobody would’ve looked twice. They stocked up on picks in the expansion draft, and instituted a “five year plan” to win the Stanley Cup. Safe to say that time table has accelerated.
Vegas has had everything come together perfectly at exactly the right time. Everybody has done their jobs to a tee, and as a result the Golden Knights are just one away from unprecedented history. The real reason behind this success has been the backbone of the Golden Knights, Marc Andre Fleury. Fleury leads all remaining goalies with .945 save percentage, and is the sure Conn Smythe winner if Vegas gets it done. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team with 18 points, including three multi point games in all but one game this series with four goals and three assists.
Winnipeg just hasn’t looked themselves. They’ve gotten their looks in every game, but Fleury has shut them down. Every mistake they make seems to end up in the back of their net, and only when they give Vegas any room to breath have they found success. The series is not over, but the key for them lies in burying Vegas early on in Game 5 and giving themselves a chance to silence the Knights in Vegas to force a Game 7. Mark Scheifele leads the league with 14 goals, and is the easy pick for Conn Smythe if Winnipeg is able to come back and get the job done in the finals.
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The Golden Knights killer instinct when they have a lead whether in a game or a series is pretty much unparalleled throughout the league. When there is blood in the water, there is no team in the league better at pouncing on an opportunity, and that should continue in Game 5. Vegas shells Connor Hellebuyck early on, and Fleury steals the show to send the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Game 5 Predicition: Golden Knights Defeat Jets 5-2