The Vegas Golden Knights carried their momentum into Game 2, dominating the Florida Panthers from the first period to finish the game 7-2.
The Golden Knights now head to Florida with a 2-0 series lead.
The pain started early for the visitors. Panthers went down a defenceman midway through the first period after Radko Gudas was crushed by Ivan Barbashev and, from there, the Golden Knights were able to capitalize early and often.
Jonathan Marchessault opened the scoring in the first period, continuing his impressive post-season for the Golden Knights. Panthers goalie and Conn Smythe-favourite Sergei Bobrovsky was yanked in the second period after allowing four goals in consecutive games.
Matthew Tkachuk also got his second 10-minute misconduct in as many games after levelling Jack Eichel in the second; he left the period early but was able to return to the game.
Even when the Panthers got on the board 14 seconds into the third period on a snipe from Anton Lundell, the Golden Knights had a response less than two minutes later by none other than Marchessault, who scored his 10th goal in nine games. Michael Amadio scored the sixth and final goal for the Golden Knights.
Tkachuk seemed to redeem himself with a snipe past Adin Hill for his first of the Stanley Cup Final, but still down four goals, the damage was done for the Panthers. The 25-year-old exited the game with just over five minutes remaining after getting his third 10-minute misconduct this series. He now has 34 PIMs in just two games this series.
Hill has been remarkable for the Golden Knights this post-season, entering with a .938 save percentage, stopping 29 of 31 shots.
Game 3 heads to Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday. Catch the action on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
