Stephenson overcomes rough start, plays hero for Golden Knights in Game 2

LAS VEGAS --Chandler Stephenson turned what could have been an emotional, rough, forgettable Sunday afternoon in the Western Conference Final into one of his most cherished memories, with a birthday souvenir for his son, Ford, to boot.

"It was obviously nice to finish it off with that," the Vegas Golden Knights forward said.

That was Stephenson's first overtime goal in 79 career NHL postseason games.

He scored it 1:12 into overtime by cashing in on the rebound of Shea Theodore's shot, giving the Golden Knights a 3-2 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas leads the best-of-7 series 2-0. Game 3 will be at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Tuesday.

"Good for him for responding because I'm sure he wouldn't have felt great if he didn't," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said.

RELATED: [Complete Golden Knights vs. Stars series coverage]

Stephenson had to respond after he was assessed two penalties in the first two periods, the first of which was for a slash from behind to the hands of Stars forward Roope Hintz at 13:41 of the first period.

Cassidy, though, didn't get on Stephenson's case about that one.

"The slash happens sometimes," he said. "Those slashes, it's hockey. You can't call every one, but you get caught a little when it's in the open ice. You've got to be careful when you're going to use those."

The second one wasn't so forgivable.

Stephenson was tied up with Dallas defenseman Colin Miller along the wall in front of the benches. The play moved away from that area, but Stephenson went and cross-checked Miller in the back right into the boards at 19:01 of the second period.

"The second one was blatant," Cassidy said. "He was frustrated or whatever he was. I'm sure he'd be the first to tell you that if he had to do it over again you take a number in the playoffs and you move on, try to get pay back later."

Stephenson admitted his emotions got the best of him in that moment.

"Third round, the more it goes on the more emotion there is. The pace has picked up and things happen quick," he said. "Yeah, obviously I need to keep my emotions a little bit more in check. Never want to give a team with a really good power play two opportunities."

The Stars didn't score on either of them, but Stephenson came out of the penalty box early in the third period and started to make a difference.

"I thought his third period was very good," Cassidy said. "He had good jump, was trying to impact the forecheck, made good plays. So, he came out of it on the other side. He's been there. He knows that you can't let these things bother you, but it's an emotional game."

The emotions poured out of Stephenson and the Golden Knights after he scored in overtime. During the celebration, Mark Stone picked up the puck to save for Stephenson.

He said when he gets it, he'll give it to Ford, who celebrates his first birthday Monday.

"It'll probably go in his room somewhere," Stephenson said.