Joel Eriksson Ek’s power-play goal in overtime was all the Minnesota Wild needed to win Game 1 of the best-of-seven playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Eriksson Ek scored on the power play on a pass from behind the net by Jordan Greenway, with his shot deflecting of a defender’s leg and beating goalie Marc-Andre Fluery just over three minutes into the overtime period.
Joel Eriksson Ek coming up big for the @mnwild in Game 1! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/4iEPrwBZsW
— NHL (@NHL) May 16, 2021
Game 1 of the first-round playoff series the Wild and Vegas went from being hyped as a duel of two of the top offenses in the Western Conference to a dual of two veteran goaltenders.
Cam Talbot stopped 42 shots for the Wild to earn his fifth career playoff shutout, while Marc Andre-Fluery, playing in the playoffs for a 15th consecutive season, made 26 saves for the Golden Knights, including a handful of highlight-reel blocks.
The game went to overtime with no score, but things opened up when Vegas was called for a hooking penalty 71 seconds into the extra period. Minnesota went on the power play and ended the scoreless battle after a Vegas turnover in their own end.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series between the Golden Knights and Wild is at 9 p.m. Tuesday in Las Vegas. Game 2 will be televised on NBC Sports Network.
More to come.
