In the NBA, people say a playoff series doesn’t truly start until the home team loses. For the NHL first-round playoff series between Vegas and Dallas, it might not begin until a home team wins.
The Golden Knights, last year’s champions, seemed to be taking control by winning the first two games in Dallas. But the Stars fought back with a 3-2 overtime win in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
It’s possible the Stars figured something out that could help them in Game 4 on Monday night in Las Vegas. They were much stronger than the score suggests, having 27 high-danger chances compared to the Knights’ four.
If it weren’t for Vegas goalie Logan Thompson’s 43 saves, the Stars could’ve won in regulation.
“It’s not just about winning, but also how you win,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “I think we’ve been improving with each game. We made a complete effort in this game. They weren’t at their best, which helped us. They’ll fix that, but we’re learning how to play in this series to succeed.”
Both teams took a break on Sunday. The Stars didn’t practice, and the Knights had a lightly attended optional workout.
DeBoer anticipated that Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy would adjust for Game 4, but Dallas’ win was driven by both emotion and strategy. The Stars came out strong, knowing how important the game was.
“We knew we had to win,” DeBoer explained. “Our desperation matched theirs. After a game like that, it feels like a fresh start.” Cassidy’s expression of disappointment during his media appearance on Sunday reflected the mood on the Vegas side.
Vegas had a chance to take control, but only four teams have ever come back from being down 3-0 in a series. The Stars now have an opportunity to do what the New Jersey Devils did last season: lose their first two home games before coming back to win in seven games against the New York Rangers.
Having missed their chance to secure the series, the Knights have another opportunity on Monday to put the Stars in a tough spot.
“We weren’t ready to play,” Cassidy admitted. “As a coach, I need to improve the game plan, but each player needs to prepare to win their individual battles. We need to fix that for tomorrow and move forward, understanding the challenge ahead.”
