The Stanley Cup Conference Finals gave us everything we wanted. From expansion history to Canadian dreams all the way to Capitals’ year, let’s look at the five performances that stood out.
Hockey has always brought the best in storylines and the best in primetime. The Conference Finals represent that last hurdle for four teams trying to etch a new name in history. After two straight Pittsburgh Penguins Cup hoists, this year finally spelled out something different.
The Golden Knights stand alone in what most would say is the greatest expansion season in history. It’s the first in 50 seasons, even though an expansion team was guaranteed to make the Stanley Cup Final that year, and to boot it’s a team that had billions of headlines discussing just how bad it would be in 2017-18. After a sweep of the Kings, and a gentleman’s sweep, in five, of the Sharks, the Knights dropped Game 1 in Winnipeg before winning four straight and finding themselves just four more wins from the improbable.
Is it actually the Caps’ year? We’re at the last step before finding out. Burakovsky netted two and Ovechkin struck first in a 4-0 clinic in Game 7 in Tampa. We’ve had three Game 7’s this postseason and they haven’t exactly shined. Game 7 between the Knights and Caps might change that if we go the distance.
Let’s look at five performances from the entire Conference Finals that sent these teams to the brink of a championship.
5. Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault has been pivotal all season on the first line for the Knights. That story remained the same against the Winnipeg Jets.
Facing one of the best offenses in the league, the winger finished with seven points over the five-game series including two in each of the first three.
After falling in game one on the road, Marchessault responded with two goals in both Game 2 and Game 3, completely setting the tone for the rest of the series.
The Jets didn’t have an answer for him in either game and even not getting on the score sheet, his assist was just as important in Game 4 to all but seal a Cup final berth.
In 15 games this postseason, Marchessault has 18 points, including eight goals and 10 assists. Add that to a plus-10 in that stretch and an ever-so important six power play points, and you’ve got a definite reason why Vegas has such a strong offense.
It’s safe to say the Panthers leaving Marchessault unprotected was a surprise, and a blessed one at that for the Golden Knights. Along with another former Panther in Reilly Smith and “Wild Bill” Karlsson, that first line adds a pressure that other lines benefit from.
Also the man showed up in this at T-Mobile Arena. He’s feeling himself.
I love fun stats the the NHL announces. Here’s one fine example about Marchessault.
Look for that first line to cause havoc in the final and I’d expect a couple more really good outings from No. 81.