“Didn’t get caught underpowered” – Anton Lundell served Eric Staal’s first finals hit in 17 years

Vegas beat Florida 5-2 in the NHL Finals opener. Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell were involved in building Florida’s hits. Eetu Luostarinen was sidelined due to injury.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 5–2 in the first meeting of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Las Vegas and took a 1–0 lead in the series. Four wins are required for the championship.

Florida stayed with Vegas for two sets.

Florida scored the opening goal of the match with an understrength midway through the first period, when they played without prejudice Anton Lundell21, intercepted Vegas’ pass, skated into the offensive zone and passed to Eric Staalwho accompanied the puck to the goal with an old-fashioned one.

The goal was Staal’s, 38, first in the Stanley Cup Finals in 17 years. That’s the longest time between individual Finals goals in NHL history. The last time the Canadian hit in the NHL finals was in the spring of 2006 in the jersey of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Vegas came level by Jonathan Marchessault with a man-of-the-match goal, when the match had been played at 17.18.

In the second inning, Vegas took the lead when Shea Theodore funny by Anthony Duclair on the blue line and placed the puck in the goal with a precise wrist shot. However, Florida tied it with 11 seconds left in the period. Duclair shot the puck into the net Alexander Barkov after a winning start.

In the third set Zack Whitecloud gave Vegas the lead again when his shot found its way past the Florida keeper Sergei Bobrovsky.

Florida made it difficult when both Sam Bennett that Matthew Tkachuk flew into the shower for brawling when there were five minutes left in the third period. 2+10 minute penalties for both. Vegas punished an empty net when Reilly Smith wrapped up the game 5–2.

Monastery on the side

Panthers had won five games in a row before the meeting, but now had to bow out.

According to Lundell, there was room for improvement for Florida, especially in playing with superiority.

– We were ready for the match. We started the third set with a tie, where the opponent got a position and scored a goal. I think we fought for the win today, Lundell told Urheilu.

– Alivoima was quite good. One fell asleep, but we also scored an underpowered goal, so it was not caught.

of Florida Eetu Luostarinen didn’t play due to injury, so it was cool next to Lundell Ryan Lomberg.

– We were able to create places. When there are two good teams, you have to defend a bit, Lundell said.

According to Lundell, the match was physical, but the Panthers are used to a tough game against previous opponents.

– Vegas dared to make a play, and didn’t always play to the end.

The teams will meet next time in Vegas at 03:00 on Tuesday Finnish time. shows all matches live on its channels.

Updated at 7:42 a.m.: Added Anton Lundell’s comments.