It all came together in Game 5, with Svechnikov’s short putaway at the post on the power play giving Carolina a 4-1 lead midway through the third period.
McDavid led all scorers this past season with 90 assists and 138 points, earning him the award for the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by his peers.
Shea Theodore scored at 5:38 of double overtime, avoiding what could have been a potentially devastating loss for the Golden Knights after they blew a four-goal lead, and Vegas defeated the feisty Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 on Saturday to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Vegas Golden Knights appeared to score with five minutes left in regulation, but referee Jean Hebert waved it off immediately, citing goaltender interference.
Jarvis’ OT heroics came after a thrilling third period that included four goals being scored and another getting called off because of goaltender interference.
Only three players have been around for all nine seasons of the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the third trip to the Stanley Cup Final for William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, and the thrill is still there.
The Golden Knights have an opportunity to hand the Hurricanes more losses in a week than they had the rest of the playoffs combined, largely by sticking together and sticking to their game.
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed no regret over his decision not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights’ first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before his team lost 5-4.
