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Vegas Golden Knights Take 3-1 Series Lead Over The Florida Panthers

By Richard Jelinek

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 10: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a goal past Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game Four of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on June 10, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 10: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a goal past Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game Four of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on June 10, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, earning a 3-2 win last night against the Florida Panthers. Vegas forward William Karlsson scored his 11th goal of the playoffs half way through the game to give the Golden Knights their third win of the series. Vegas goaltender Adin Hill made 28 saves in the win. Defenseman Brandon Montour scored his eighth goal of the playoffs for the Panthers, who now have to win three straight against Vegas.

Vegas Golden Knights put Florida on the fence with win

Depth scoring pushes Vegas to win in game 4

The Vegas Golden Knights only scored three goals but they got points from multiple players in the win. Chandler Stephenson (two goals), Mark Stone (two assists), and Nicolas Hague (two assists) each had two points. Karlsson (goal), Jonathan Marchessault (assist), and Zach Whitecloud (assist) each had a point in a complete team effort. Whitecloud and Hague led the team with a +3.

Golden Knights defense making the difference in SCF

The Vegas defense has not received the attention it deserves. They have shut down the Florida offense from game 1 and have not looked back. A complete team effort has them with a 3-1 series lead but the defense has come to play. In the SCF, the Vegas knights defense has 103 hits and 97 blocked shots in the series. They have played the physical role as well, match Florida hit for hit. The Golden Knights have not given much room to the Florida forwards, as they have clogged up the neutral zone and closed the gaps in the defensive zone. Vegas has also not given up rebounds to the Panthers, who have had to scratch and claw their way to a goal.

Is Florida right where they want to be ?

The Panthers have had an incredible run in the 2023 NHL playoffs. They have eliminated three elite teams thus far and may not be done. They have been in this situation before in these playoffs. Florida was down in the series 3-1 to the Boston Bruins before coming back to move on to round 2. Is this situation ideal? No but it has been done before and Florida could very well do it again. Although they are down in the series 3-1, these Panthers are a group that has a lot of fight in them as they do not back down. They have a steep hill ahead of them but one cannot give up on this team. There is a fight still left in the Panthers and will leave it all on the line in game 5.

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