For the first time in 20 years: how Guryanov, Radulov and Khudobin helped Dallas reach the Stanley Cup final

With a victory in Game 5, Dallas closed the NHL Western Conference final against Vegas and earned the first time since 2000 to compete for the Stanley Cup.

By the middle of the third period, Rick Bowness's wards were losing by two goals, but managed to turn the tide of the meeting and win in overtime.

Once again, the leading roles were played by the Russian legionnaires "Stars" - Denis Guryanov, Alexander Radulov and Anton Khudobin.

On the eve of this game, the Golden Knights were on the verge of being knocked out of the playoffs, so their commitment to the fight was quite justified.

For the first two periods, the team of Peter Debourg noticeably surpassed their rivals both in movement and in the number of shots on target, of which there were 25 pieces.

“Dallas” responded with modest 14 shots, and already in the ninth minute was in the role of catch-up.

Shi Theodore cut off the entire defense of the enemy in one pass, and Chandler Stevenson beat Khudobin in close combat.

The game was obviously not going well for the nominal guests.

Constant failures in defense helped Vegas create dangerous chances over and over again, and only the inspired play of the Russian goalkeeper kept Dallas afloat.

At the end of the first period, he did not allow Reilly Smith to make a one-on-one exit, and then saved the team in the episode with a throw by Paul Stastny.

The American opened great on a nickle, but the goalkeeper miraculously averted the threat.

Nevertheless, at the beginning of the third period even Khudobin was powerless, and the position of the Stars became critical.

Already at the 15th second, all the same Smith got a second chance to excel and this time did not blunder.

He again broke through great on the right edge, but this time did not begin to move to the center, but immediately made a throw.

The puck flew right over the trap of the Russian, who did not have time to properly react.

It might seem that the teams are in the sixth match, but Dallas went ahead with great forces and after nine and a half minutes got one goal back.

In the course of a massive attack, Isa Lindell shot on a penny, Radulov fought great and threw the puck back to Jamie Benn, who irresistibly shot from a turn.

For the Canadian, this goal was the eighth in the current playoffs.

As for Radulov, he is gaining points in the third game in a row - he already has 14 (8 + 6) points for performance in the current Stanley Cup.

The last minutes of regular time and the beginning of overtime were Guryanov's benefit performance.

The young Russian striker took on the role of team leader and took part in the majority draw twice within seven minutes - both times successfully.

First, Denis assisted Yoel Kiviranta, and then he distinguished himself.

A striker in the style of Alexander Ovechkin took a position in the throw-in circle and left Robin Lehner out of work with a powerful throw in touch.

Guryanov has nine goals and eight assists.

Only Bo Horvat of Vancouver has scored more in this playoff so far.

“Now I'm not thinking about myself.

When you sit in the dressing room before a match, you are not thinking about how many goals or assists you have in your statistics.

And about how you will play and will benefit the team.

Each match is a new experience for me.

I try to show my best hockey, ”the NHL press service quotes Guryanov.

It is noteworthy that Guryanov did not approach this game in the best mood.

After an impressive performance against Calgary and a good start to the streak with Colorado, he has failed to score in seven straight games.

But at the right moment, the Russian managed to cope with the pressure and helped the team to win the most important victory.

For this he was awarded the title of the third star of the meeting.

The second was recognized as Khudobin, who made 34 saves, and Benn was the first.

“I would not say that because of this (seven matches without goals. -

) there was some sense of understatement.

We just have a good team, and somewhere a little unlucky.

Somewhere, maybe I was thinking too much.

In fact, I don't even know what to say here.

But I am very glad that we won today.

Glad I scored.

And I am glad that we will play in the Stanley Cup final, ”the hockey player shared his emotions.

Guryanov can be safely called a specialist in decisive meetings.

In the final games of the series with Calgary, Colorado and Vegas, he scored 8 (5 + 3) points, which is a record for a league rookie.

In addition, previously, only four players have managed to score winning overtime goals during their first full season in the NHL (Pep Kelly, Jacques Lemaire, Darren Helm and Adam Henrik).

Dallas became the best in the Western Conference and made it to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 20 years.

The team from Texas twice managed to achieve such a result, but only once did they manage to take home the coveted trophy.

In 1999, the Stars beat the Buffalo Sabers to become champions, and a year later had a chance to repeat the success, but lost to the New Jersey Devils.

“This feeling is impossible to describe. There are so many obstacles on the way to the Stanley Cup Final. But you must learn to overcome them. When you stand on the bench and see the puck flying into the goal, leading you to the Stanley Cup final ... These emotions are simply impossible to describe in words. It is possible to reach the final very rarely, so you have to enjoy every minute, ”admitted the acting head coach of Stars.