Vegas ready to turn up the heat after Game 1 win, says Cassidy
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[June 05, 2023]
(Reuters) - The Golden Knights have far more to offer after
beating the underdog Florida Panthers 5-2 to open the Stanley Cup
Finals, Las Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said on Sunday.
Tied at two apiece through the first two periods, defenceman Zach
Whitecloud whipped a wrist shot through traffic for the go-ahead goal in
the third with captain Mark Stone and Reilly Smith adding to the
advantage in Saturday's affair.
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Jun 3, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy speaks at a press conference
before playing against the Florida Panthers in game one of the 2023
Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R.
Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports |
"Our guys know we weren't at our best yesterday
- I think that's fairly typical of Game 1 in a lot of series.
You kind of go through a feeling out process and as the series
go on the temperatures rise," said Cassidy.
The two teams entered the playoffs in vastly different
positions, with Vegas the Western Conference's top seed and
Florida the final wildcard in the East, and Cassidy said his
side has no intention of squandering their second trip to the
Stanley Cup Final.
Vegas goalkeeper Adin Hill produced 33 saves, including an
instant classic in the second period, when he stretched out long
to deflect a shot with the paddle of his stick.
"We did enough to win, which we've done a lot this year - we've
found ways to win when we're not at our best and stay in the
game to fight through the parts where you're maybe not executing
as well as you'd like," Cassidy told reporters.
"When it was winning time in the third period and we got the
goal from Whitecloud I thought we recognised what was at stake
and were able to get to the finish line, do enough things
right."
The Golden Knights play again at home on Monday before hitting
the road in the Sun Belt series.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Kim Coghill)
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