Golden Knights miss opportunity in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Vegas Golden Knights missed out on a big opportunity to push the Florida Panthers to the brink in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.

And as much as they want to move on from the 3-2 overtime loss, coach Bruce Cassidy didn't want that to happen immediately.

"I hope it leaves a sour taste in your mouth, at least for the night," Cassidy said.

"We had a chance to put the game away. Talk about winning hockey, closing out hockey games, how important it is this time of year. So, I hope they're upset with certain things that transpired. That's OK, it's an emotional game, but not tomorrow. Can't be tomorrow. Get your night's rest and be ready. As they say, get better tomorrow. That's been our goal all year, be better the next game, turn the page. So we will. I don't think that'll be an issue."

The Golden Knights certainly had their chances to put the game away, both at 5-on-5 and on the power play, but they didn't convert. Ivan Barbashev had the best opportunity with the Golden Knights leading 2-1 with 4:18 left in the third period, but his wrist shot hit off the crossbar, and 2:05 later, Matthew Tkachuk buried a rebound in front to tie it 2-2.

Vegas then had a power play for 1:48 to start overtime, but it couldn't score for the third time with the man-advantage, allowing Carter Verhaeghe to win it for Florida at 4:27.

"I think we just gave them a couple of looks and they capitalized on them," Golden Knights forward Mark Stone said.

"Overall, I thought we played a pretty solid game, hit a couple of posts in the third, could've put them away, but that's the playoffs. Now you have to bounce back and get ready for the next one."

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Forward Jack Eichel agreed, saying he is already "moving on" to Game 4 on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, TBS, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS).

"Just taking advantage of our opportunities," Eichel said. "You never want to blow a lead, but give them credit, they make a play and here we are."

Vegas missed out on a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Final. Devastating? No. The Panthers responded to being on the ropes. Now, the Golden Knights know they'll have to come with a stronger response in Game 4.

"[The Panthers] will certainly enjoy it. They should when you win in overtime like that, get yourself back in it," Cassidy said. "But our job is different than theirs right now, and we have to make sure we learn from it and put it behind us tomorrow."