Jonathan Marchessault Goal Streak Leads Vegas To Game 2 Victory

The Vegas Golden Knights are heading to South Florida with a 2-0 series lead in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers by a score of 7-2 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Leading the way for Vegas was one of the Original Golden Misfits Jonathan Marchessault.

Marchessault continued his scoring ways as he scored two more goals in Game 2. Again he opened the scoring and scored the Golden Knights’ fifth goal early in the third period.

Jonathan Marchessault gets the scoring started in Game 2!

1-0#StanleyCup #VegasBorn #FPC @FP_Coverage pic.twitter.com/ix4L2e8ZQO

— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) June 6, 2023

He now has 12 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs including three in the Stanley Cup Final. In addition, Marchessault has 10 goals in the last nine games including 12 in his last 12 games. He continues to do it all for the Vegas Golden Knights.

In the latest Full Press NHL Podcast, Willie G Ramirez of ESPN Las Vegas, The Sporting Tribune, and AP Sports, talked about how Marchessault has become the de facto leader on the team despite not wearing a captain’s “C” on his sweater. Marchessault continues to come up with timely goals for Vegas.

Just look at Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Marchessault opened the scoring in both games. And in both games, it was on the power play. He was due to score on the power play after hitting four posts in the previous series. When the Golden Knights need a goal there is Marchessault always in the right place at the right time.

Marchessault had a quiet first round of the playoffs, but ever since scoring five goals in round two including a hat trick in Game 6 that eliminated the Oilers, he has taken off. That line of Marchessault, Jack Eichel, and Ivan Barbashev continues to be electric for the Golden Knights. With his recent goal-scoring streak Marchessault has vaulted himself to one of the Conn Smythe Trophy favourites for the Golden Knights.

But it is not only his goal-scoring ability that helps the Golden Knights, he can get physical as well. That was no different in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Marchessault will throw hands if needed.

As Ramirez points out Marchessault is fearless and the guy players look to in the room

“He has always been the voice,” Ramirez said. “He has always been the constant. Marchessault is so versatile and can do everything. He has a big body and can hit as he has led the league and team in hits at different times.” 

Go back to the original days of this franchise Jonathan Marchessault has been right there in the mix in everything. Either initiating contact, getting in someone’s face after the whistle or lifting the guy next to him. Marchessault has been that constant and as the buzzer for Game 2 went off Marchessault was named the first star of the game with his two goals and an assist.

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As for the rest of the game, well the Golden Knights dominated from the word go. The Panthers were undisciplined something they could not be if they wanted to get back into the series. Unfortunately, the Panthers ran into the stonewall named Adin Hill.

Hill was on the mark again. He made timely saves for the Golden Knights in period one as Florida came out strong. However, the undisciplined play led to Marchessault’s first goal. Then Alec Martinez made it 2-0 and the rout was on. Florida was chasing the game and the momentum from the end of period three in Game 1 carried over into period one of Game 2.

In the second period, it was all Vegas. Nic Roy opened the scoring in the period. Then Brett Howden got his first of two in the game. The fourth goal by the Golden Knights made Florida coach Paul Maurice pull Sergei Bobrovsky in favour of Alex Lyon.

Bobrovsky has given up three goals in back to back games first time going back to the Boston series.

Going back to the Carolina series Bobrovsky has given up three in goals in three straight games first time since the first round. #timetohunt @FullPressNHL

— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 6, 2023

Vegas continued to bring the pressure. Their speed and skill were on display. Entering the series, it was said that if Vegas was to take over a game they can and have shown it. Well through two games they have. This performance reminds a lot of people of when Vegas won four straight against Colorado in 2021. These players are on a mission to win.

Florida got on the board in the third period 14 seconds in on a goal by Anton Lundell. But moments later Marchessault got his second of the night. Then Michael Amadio made it 6-1 Vegas before Matthew Tkachuk got on the board to make it 6-2. Howden got his second of the night closing out the scoring to make the score 7-2.

Will there be a carry-over into Game 3? With two days off maybe. Tkachuk again continues to be the agitator as he caused several scrums including one in the second period after his hit on Eichel. Eichel left the game but returned for the third period picking up another assist on Marchessault’s second goal of the game. Tkachuk can’t go over the line if Florida wants to win. This is the Tkachuk we saw last year against Edmonton. If he just does that the Panthers have no chance.

Again it is not a series until a home team loses a game, so Florida goes back and looks to win on home ice. However, Vegas has won every Game 3 in the playoffs thus far. Something will have to give. However, there is a pattern following the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Avalanche beat the Panthers in Denver, 3-1 in Game 1, and 8-1 in Game 2.

Colorado went on to sweep the Panthers. https://t.co/QUltJplvjI

— WillieGRamireZ (@WillieGRamirez) June 6, 2023

Game 3 goes Thursday night back in Sunrise. The question is will Jonathan Marchessault’s goal streak continue?