Golden Knights rout Oilers in Game 3: Vegas plays complete game after goalie Laurent Brossoit exits

The Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 Monday in Game 3. Here’s what you need to know:

Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals for the Golden Knights. Zach Whitecloud, Jack Eichel and Chandler Stephenson also added goals.
Golden Knights starting goalie Laurent Brossoit exited in the first period after stopping a Connor McDavid shot and stretching to make a rebound. Brossoit needed to be helped off the ice.
Adin Hill replaced Brossoit in the net and stopped all 25 shots.
The Golden Knights lead 2-1 in the series. Game 4 is 10 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Laurent Brossoit has suffered an injury after making a save on Connor McDavid and stretching for the rebound. Adin Hill has entered the game for Vegas. pic.twitter.com/DN25lz34eW

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What a potential Brossoit absence means for Vegas

If Brossoit’s injury is as serious as it looked, it would be a major hit for the Golden Knights. Brossoit earned the starting job with his steady play down the stretch, going 12-2-3 including the first two rounds of the playoffs. His calm, patient style matches well behind Vegas’ defense, and he gave the team a chance to win every night he stepped into the crease.

Hill filled in for Brossoit on Monday and would be the starter if he is unavailable. Hill started a career-high 25 games this season for the Golden Knights, including a really strong showing in which he stopped 134 of 143 shots (.937 save percentage) in his last four games before going out with an injury. Hill hasn’t started a game in nearly two months, though. — Granger

GO DEEPER

Adin Hill was ready for his moment to help Golden Knights win Game 3

Eichel on the big stage

It wasn’t Eichel’s first playoff goal of his career, but it was his most spectacular by far. He raced up the ice toward Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, sent him crashing to the ice with a quick move, walked in and rifled a shot past Stuart Skinner to extend Vegas’ lead to 4-1. He also fed Marchessault a pass in the slot for a deflection goal earlier in the contest.

With the two-point night, Eichel is up to five goals and nine points in the postseason. Monday night in Edmonton he was strong low in the offensive zone and dynamic in transition, both of which the Golden Knights will need to continue as this series progresses. — Granger

Vegas’ most complete game yet

The Golden Knights avoided spending too much time in the penalty box Monday, and the result was a strong defensive performance that never allowed the Oilers’ fast-paced attack to find its rhythm.

Vegas stayed on top of McDavid for the majority of the game and frustrated Leon Draisaitl — two things that looked far from likely after the first two games. It started with a strong forecheck, winning battles beneath Edmonton’s goal line, and ended with a disciplined third period in which the Golden Knights checked well and squashed any hopes the Oilers had for a late comeback. — Granger

Hyman hurt

After McDavid and Draisaitl, there might not be a forward the Oilers can ill afford to lose more than Zach Hyman. The hard-nosed winger took a questionable hit from Golden Knights defenceman Nicolas Hague at the offensive blue line with 6:36 remaining in the first period and wasn’t the same after that. The contact from Hague’s right leg appeared to catch Hyman on the right knee or thigh. Hyman’s minutes were limited from there as he moved around the ice in an awkward and ginger manner.

He played 10 of his 14:06 after the first period, well below his playoff average of 19:53 before Monday night. Hyman’s injury only intensifies the need to separate McDavid and Draisaitl to spread out the offense. — Nugent-Bowman

Where are the power plays?

The Oilers are going to have a tough time winning games if they’re not going to get time on the power play. They weren’t afforded their first power play until the end of the second period with Vegas already up 5-1 — and it was a truncated opportunity at that.

The Oilers were 14-for-25 on the man advantage in the playoffs before Game 3. That’s a remarkable 56 percent success rate. It didn’t get a chance to make a difference Monday. It went 0-for-2, but it was too late then anyway. — Nugent-Bowman

Highlight of the game

Playoff Jack Eichel is now up to five goals this postseason! 🙌 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/nwy2sQdyWQ
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/P5P4B63syY pic.twitter.com/hUwnPN6eY4

— NHL (@NHL) May 9, 2023

Key stat

Marchessault scored twice and became the fourth player to record 50 career playoff points with the Golden Knights, joining Reilly Smith (57), William Karlsson (52) and Shea Theodore (50).

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Required reading

(Photo: Perry Nelson / USA Today)