In Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final against the Capitals, the Vegas Golden Knights offense struggled, only generating 22 shots on goal and scoring just once, a layup gift-wrapped by Braden Holtby. Heading into Game Four, the Golden Knights trail in the series 2-1 and, for the first time in franchise history, face a significant uphill climb to win a postseason series.
In order to produce more offense and change the flow of the series, Knights coach Gerard Gallant has shaken up his team’s lines. Forward Tomas Tatar will play after being scratched for the first three games of the series, skating on the third line with Cody Eakin and Ryan Carpenter. It looks as if David Perron, who has skated on the second line during the Stanley Cup Final, will be bumped from the lineup with winger Alex Tuch receiving the promotion to Perron’s spot.
Vegas lines this morning: Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith, Neal-Haula-Tuch, Tatar-Eakin-Carpenter, Nosek-Bellemare-Reaves.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 4, 2018
Gallant, however, would not confirm that Perron would be the one scratched for Monday’s game. He also mentioned that he may make one more change for the game, but would not elaborate.
Gallant will not say Perron is the one coming out of the lineup, only that Tatar is coming in. Also says there may be one more addition tonight for the Golden Knights.
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) June 4, 2018
Vegas acquired Tatar at the trade deadline from the Red Wings for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick in the NHL draft. While Tatar played all 82 games in the regular season, including the last 20 for the Golden Knights, and tallied 20 goals on the year, he has been scratched in 12 of 18 playoff games this season.
Tatar, however, is a noted Caps Killer. In 14 career games against Washington, the Slovak forward has 9 points, including multi-goal games in both of his matchups with the Caps this season. Tatar has five goals in his last three games against the Caps overall.
I mean – I don't know how much to make of random regular-season match-ups, but it isn't just this year for Tatar vs. #Caps. He has 6 goals and three assists in 14 career games against Washington and 5 goals in his past three games.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) June 4, 2018
Perron, on the other hand, has struggled this series. He has only managed one assist and three shots in three games.
Headline Photo: Isaac Brekken
