Stanley Cup playoffs: Golden Knights even series 1-1 vs. Jets

May 15 (UPI) -- Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in the Vegas Golden Knights' Game 2 win against the Winnipeg Jets, evening their Stanley Cup playoff series at 1-1.

Vegas pulled off the 3-1 win Monday at Bells MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnipeg won Game 1 Saturday on its home ice.

"They weren't good enough last game and they knew that," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant told reporters. "They had to respond tonight and they did in a big way."

The Golden Knights lit the lamp first, getting a score from Tom Tatar 13:23 into the first period. The veteran left wing missed his first attempt at the Jets' goal, but stayed with the puck. He got it back behind the net and wrapped around the goal on Connor Hellebuyck's glove side.

Then Marchessault got it going.

The Golden Knights center got the puck after Reilly Smith forced a turnover about four minutes after the Tatar score. He skated over the blue line and had a one-on-one with Hellebuyck. Marchessault got the puck to his backhand before netting the score through the net minder's five hole.

Neither team could net a goal in the second frame. Winnipeg cut the lead in half 7:17 into the final frame. Kyle Connor had the puck on the left flank on that play. He beat Marc-Andre Fleury on the power play with a wrist shot from an impossible angle, just between some space under his armpit.

Marchessault brought back the two-goal advantage 1:28 later. He got the puck again after a Jets turnover. William Karlsson stole the puck before firing a quick pass to Smith. The Golden Knights right wing skated up the left side before passing to his right and finding Marchessault, who again went to his backhand for the score.

Game 3 of the Western Conference finals takes place at 9 p.m. Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.