Marchesso aims for MVP title
If you look today, then the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2023 Stanley Cup draw will surely receive a striker Vegas Jonathan Marcheso . Not the biggest guy (175 cm / 79 kg), who was not even drafted, made his way to the NHL through the minor leagues, shot in Florida in the 2016-17 season, when he scored 51 (30+21) points in 75 games. But the Panthers’ leadership wasn’t very convincing and they didn’t defend Marchesseau in the expansion draft. Then he was taken by Vegas, who had just entered the league.
In the first season, the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to Washington (1-4). In that run, Jonathan scored 21 (8+13) points in 20 games. Now Vegas is in the finals again. Marchesso has 21 (12+9) points in 19 games. Above him, only teammate Jack Eichel (6+16=22 in 19), Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk (10+12=22 in 18) and Dallas forward Roope Hintz (10+14= 24 in 19). Of course, Marchesso is one of the contenders.
And in the night game, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, he scored 3 (2+1) points, becoming the first star.
Bobrovsky played the worst game in the playoffs
In fact, “Florida” fell in vain in too hard and even a dirty match. It didn’t work for guests. The very first out, and now Marchesso opens the scoring by majority, extending his scoring streak to seven matches (7+4).
“He’s very successful,” Vegas guard Alec Martinez said of his partner. – Also, Jonathan doesn’t just score goals, but scores big goals in important situations.
It is curious that in the first seven matches of the playoffs, Marchesso could not score anything. But then he scored 12 goals in 12 games. That’s how it broke.
In the second half, the score fell to 4:0. Vegas just tore up Florida’s defense, which couldn’t do anything about it. Sergei Bobrovsky didn’t help much. This may be his worst game in this playoff. After conceding four goals on 13 shots, Bob went to reserve mid-game. Instead, Alex Lyon came out, but Vegas also sent him three goals. There was no doubt about the victory for the Golden Knights, although Anton Lundell already scored a goal in the 14th second of the third period, and in the 53rd minute Matthew Tkachuk also scored. But the scoreboard at that time was already 6:2 in favor of Vegas.
Depth of attack – “Vegas” perk
Tkachuk also excelled on the other side. In midfield, he caught Aikel, using a clean but deadly power move against him. In fact, Matthew didn’t take his legs off there, and the Vegas point guard was with the puck. His blow lands shoulder to shoulder, not on the head. But with this blow he powerfully crushed Eichel and the fights started on the ice instead of hockey.
Tkachuk struggled with Barbashev, and both were expelled, writing heavy fines to them. By the way, Ivan only got 11:11 minutes of playing time in this game. But he scored an assist and was recognized as the second star. Maybe because he defended his partner in such a way and traded for Tkachuk, Florida’s leading scorer.
In total, the two teams clocked up a demonic number of penalty minutes – 148.
But the difference is that the Golden Knights weren’t even allowed to doubt their victory, so they could fight back and grab the outs. But for Florida, this “Bachelor Party in Vegas” completely failed – in two matches the Panthers lost with an aggregate score of 4:12.
The depth of Vegas’ offense is heightened by the fact that those 12 goals were scored by nine different players. And three goals are on the account of the defenders: it is about Shea Theodore, Zach Whitecloud and Alec Martinez.
“I think our depth has been a strength all year,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “And that’s the main reason why we’re still here, why we beat Winnipeg, Edmonton, Dallas and why we lead against Florida. I just think we have the best team – from the first to the twentieth player.
Maurice: Will Bob continue to play? We will work on this issue.”
And Bobrovsky? Of course, he doesn’t look like himself in the end. Just compare the numbers. In a four-game series against the Carolinas in the Eastern Finals, he conceded six goals on 174 shots in 321:05 minutes of playing time.
But in the final, Bob conceded eight goals on 46 shots in 86:56 minutes. Colossal difference! Moreover, one cannot say that Bobrovsky is wrong. But the whole team in front of him isn’t doing well, and the keeper isn’t helping too much. Well, backup Lion hadn’t played since April 21 and was completely out of shape.
Florida coach Paul Maurice didn’t say who the starting goaltender would be in Game 3. Although he smiled when asked that question.
“We will be working on this issue for the next two days,” he said. – In general, we should play a little better in front of our goalkeeper. Bobrovsky showed amazing hockey, so after four goals I put him on reserve so he could rest.
Recall that teams that lead 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final win the series 90.6% of the time (48-5), including 92.7% when they won the first two games at home (38 -3).
The statistics are relentless, but they can be proven wrong in practice.
“They are already halfway through the championship. Hopefully those thoughts will relax them a bit when they get to Florida,” Tkachuk said. “I think that could work in our favour. But we absolutely have to prepare and give everything in the next match to regain some momentum.
So we will wait for the zarub again.
NHL. Playoffs
Vegas Golden Knights (Paradise) – Florida Panthers (Sunrise) – 7:2 (2:0, 2:0, 3:2)
Goals: Marchesso, 7:05 (bol.), 42:10. Martinez, 5:59 p.m. Street, 22:59. Howden, 27:10, 57:52 (bol.). Amadio, 50:33. —Lundell, 40:14. Tkachuk, 52:44.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
