Golden Knights strike first against Capitals in exciting Game 1: 3 takeaways

Here are our three takeaways from an exciting game of hockey between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washing Capitals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Vegas Golden Knights took a 1-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final with a 6-4 victory over the Washington Capitals.

If you like goals, Game 1 delivered.

Colin Miller delivered the first goal of the 2018 Final with a rocket on the power play that found its way past Braden Holtby. Brett Connolly and Nicklas Backstrom scored less than a minute apart to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead. William Karlsson picked up a loose puck in the closing moments of the first period to knot things at 2 after 20.

Reilly Smith scored less than four minutes into the second period to give the Knights another one goal lead. But John Carlson potted an empty net goal off a beautiful give-and-go with T.J. Oshie to make it 3-3 entering the third.

Tom Wilson gave the Capitals another lead just over a minute into the third period, but was quickly answered by Ryan Reaves. Tomas Nosek scored the final goal of the game halfway through the third period off a cross-ice feed from Shea Theodore.

3 Takeaways

3. Loose pucks find nets. Most of the time.

The Knights scored three goals off pucks sitting around the net. William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, and Ryan Reaves all scored thanks to failed clearing attempts or poor puck tracking by the Washington Capitals and net minder Braden Holtby. The Capitals made a living in front of the Tampa Bay net in the Eastern Conference Finals, the tables turned on them in Game 1.

Lars Eller had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds on a loose puck that found his stick, but Brayden McNabb was able to deflect it away.

Washington can’t afford to stand around and get beaten to loose pucks if they want to win this series. I suspect they’ll be better in Game 2.

2. Fourth line contributors

The duo of Reaves and Nosek won this game for the Knights. Trailing 4-3 one minute into the third period, they answered the call. Reaves tied it up and Nosek ended up with the game-winner and game-clincher. The stars are going to shine at some point, but it’s contributions from unknowns that may decide this series.

That said, Reaves 100 percent got away with a penalty on his goal. But the refs missed calls both ways. Much like the ECF, the referees let them play in Game 1. Things will likely tighten up as the series moves along, especially after the outcry tonight.

Let’s not let missed calls overshadow the importance the fourth line played for Vegas and just how good this game was.

1. That was fun.

As a hockey fan, what more can I say? That was an entertaining game of hockey from start to finish. The momentum swings, the level of play, the intensity. This was exactly what you wanted from Game 1. There should have been no doubts about Vegas given the way they’ve played all season and into the playoffs. But if there were, they answered every call on Monday night. And the Capitals looked ready to seize the moment as well.

If this was any indication of how this series is going to go, we’re in for a a real treat.

Nights like this are when you enjoy the sport you’re watching and when I enjoy the sport I cover. I had no rooting interest in Game 1. I got to sit back and enjoy it without the stress and anxiety. I had a blast and, at the risk of upsetting longtime Caps fans and first year Knights fans, I hope we get more games like this.

NEXT: Each NHL Team’s Biggest ‘What if’ Moment

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