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The Vegas Golden Knights tried another goaltender on Sunday night, and this time it paid off.
Robin Lehner, who was shelled 7-1 by a rested Colorado Avalanche team the last time he was in net on May 31, was brilliant in Game 4 as Vegas defeated the Canadiens 2-1 in overtime in Montreal.
The Golden Knights tied the best-of-seven Stanley Cup semifinal series at two games each. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Lehner, who started in place of Marc-Andre Fleury, made 27 saves, allowing only a second-period goal by Paul Byron. He was best in the third period when he stopped a breakaway by Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield.
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“In the pre-scout, he either goes high or he goes five-hole,” Lehner said. “It looked like he was going five-hole, so I closed my legs.”
The Golden Knights finally beat Canadiens goalie Carey Price shortly after on a Brayden McNabb goal to tie the game 1-1.
Overtime didn’t last long as Nicolas Roy beat Price on a rebound at 1:18, giving Lehner the win.
“I think a lot has to be said about Robin’s attitude this whole time,” Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty said. “He’s been the No. 1 cheerleader on the team when he wasn’t playing. His positivity has rubbed off on us. … We’re just so happy to see a guy like that get rewarded.”
Lehner had made most of the starts in the 2020 playoffs, which Vegas lost in the third round, but Fleury dominated in the 2021 regular season when Lehner suffered a concussion.
Fleury was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender, and the two goalies shared the William Jennings Trophy for lowest team goals-against average.
Lehner said he showed up at the arena about four hours early Sunday and read the negative comments on Twitter about the decision to start him.
“It was enjoyable on Twitter today, and thank you guys very much for giving me that motivation,” he said.
Fleury had started 15 of the Golden Knights’ 17 playoff games, and even though he had a gaffe in Game 3, he also has been strong in net.
Coach Pete DeBoer said Fleury’s mishandling of the puck had nothing to do with his decision to sit the goalie. He wanted Fleury to have some rest after making so many starts and knew that Lehner would play well.
“He might have the toughest job in hockey playing behind a legend in Flower,” DeBoer said. “How’s he’s handled that, I think, has earned the respect of everybody in our dressing room. … It’s genuine. He’s a good man and a good teammate and played a hell of a game for us.”
Quebec native gets winner
Roy’s overtime winner was even more special because he’s a native of Quebec and his parents, sister and several in-laws were in the stands.
“I always dreamed about scoring at the Bell Centre,” he said. “Doing it in overtime in the semifinals is even better.”
Monday’s playoff game
Islanders at Lightning, 8 p.m., USA. Series tied 2-2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL scores: Golden Knights’ Robin Lehner strong in win vs. Canadiens