Though the Canucks were able to grab an early lead, the Golden Knights took control of this game in the middle part of the contest. Kevin Lankinen was peppered with shots and scoring chances that ultimately broke through early in the second period when, at last, their shot volume broke in their favour on a fortunate bounce off of the end wall.

On the first shift of the third period, the Canucks gave Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud an open look from the high slot, which forced Lankinen to challenge the shooter. Whitecloud shot wide, but the puck catapulted off the end boards, missed Vancouver defenceman Filip Hronek, and was slung into a largely open net by unchecked Brandon Saad.