{"id":137689,"date":"2023-05-24T16:56:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T20:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=137689"},"modified":"2023-05-24T16:56:45","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T20:56:45","slug":"western-conference-final-series-of-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/05\/24\/western-conference-final-series-of-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Conference Final is a Series of Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vegas Golden Knights have the Dallas Stars on the ropes. The Golden Knights jumped out to a 3-0 series lead<\/a> in the Western Conference Finals, grabbing a 4-0 victory in Game 3. Vegas will play Thursday night for the chance to advance to their first Stanley Cup final since their magical run in the 2018 Playoffs. The Stars will want to hold onto their Stanley Cup hopes after a disappointing Game 3. It\u2019s been a tale of opportunity so far between the Golden Knights vs Stars. Vegas is making the most of it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Opportunity the Difference In Golden Knights vs Stars Series<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Timely Saves\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Coming into the series, no one expected the Stars to pull their goalie first<\/a>. Scott Wedgewood<\/a> replaced Jake Oettinger<\/a> just 7:10 into Game 3. Oettinger gave up three goals on five shots<\/a> in the first seven minutes in his worst performance of the playoffs. Oettinger has had success in the playoffs in the past, posting a .954 save percentage in the 2021-22 run. However, he\u2019s been more inconsistent this year, with a 3.02 GAA and a .895 percentage. Oettinger being relieved set off a chain reaction for the Stars, who lost all of the composure that had become their trademark. Oettinger and Dallas looked unsettled, unable to find any part of their game. If Oettinger can find his game, then Dallas still has a fighting chance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, Adin Hill<\/a> has been exceeding expectations in the blue paint for Vegas. He\u2019s 6-1 in the playoffs so far<\/a>, with a .940 save percentage and a 1.96 GAA. He had a 34-shot shutout in Game 3 and has been critical to the Golden Knights\u2019 success. Hill has been making a lot of saves, but he\u2019s also been making timely ones. Right before Chandler Stephenson<\/a>\u2019s overtime goal in Game 2, Hill made a point-blank save on Wyatt Johnston<\/a>. Stephenson scored 40 seconds later, giving Vegas the 2-0 lead in the series. Hill had another massive save in Game 3, stopping a 2-on-1 shorthanded opportunity and setting up Ivan Barbashev<\/a>\u2019s goal to put Vegas up by 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just before Stephenson's OT winner, Adin Hill made a massive stop on Wyatt Johnston in front#VegasBorn<\/a> | #TexasHockey<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/daUCspjAu5<\/a><\/p>\n

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 21, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n