Six goals were scored in the Stone Age version of the VGK’s Part 2 of Season 2, five in the first period alone, to beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-2. The first three were scored in just 8:33. Five goals scored in the first period is a team record. And the current six-game winning streak is the team’s second longest of the season. Their seven-game streak took place between Dec. 27 and Jan. 8.
If you were delayed in arriving at one of the many watch parties that take place all over Las Vegas because you decided to trim your moustache or curl your hair, you probably missed that explosion of goals. If you happened to miss Mark Stone’s goal, here’s a link to the video.
Coming into the game, Stone had done just about everything asked of him except score a goal. Well, last night he checked that box off. Just 1:32 into the game, he picked up a loose puck on his backhand in front of Jacob Markstrom to bury his 29th of the season. In last week’s game at T-Mobile, the Vancouver netminder looked good, stopping 45 of the 48 shots he faced in the 3-0 loss. Last night, Stone began the barrage that sent Markstrom to the showers early. Jacob lasted only 14:17 into the first period, allowing five goals on just 16 shots for a miserable .688 save percentage. Thatcher Demko replaced Jacob and fared much better in his 45:43 of time in the net, stopping all but one of the 16 shots he faced for a respectable save percentage of .941.
Mark Stone, who just made his huge VGK contract official when it was signed on Friday ($76 million over eight years), followed it up with his first VGK goal. Previously, he made significant contributions on the ice, if not on the score sheet. The VGK power play looks dangerous once again with him on it. His crisp cross-ice passes have forced the opposition and their goaltenders to make quick adjustments as the puck goes from one faceoff circle to another off Stone’s stick. His presence on the second line with Pacioretty and Stastny has taken the pressure off the Karlsson line, always up against the other team’s top defensive forwards.
Last night was also the first time in games in which Stone was on the ice when the opposition scored. His play away from the puck and on the defensive side isn’t something that always gets noticed by fans watching the game. Scoring is great, but shutting down the opposition is important also. In this six-game winning streak, Vegas has scored 24 goals, while giving up only nine.
Stone’s presence also allows Gallant to play Alex Tuch on the third line. Tuch is no doubt a top-six forward, not only on the VGK, but on just about any other of the 30 other NHL teams. Tuch had gone somewhat cold recently with just one goal and three assists in his past 16 games after accruing 14 points from four goals and 10 assists in 13 games. Last night, Tuch put 3 points on the score sheet with a goal and two assists. The return of Tuch’s scoring touch would be a bad dream for all teams in the remaining 13 games, but a real nightmare for the teams the Knights will face in the playoffs.
If Erik Haula can return to the lineup in time to get in game shape before the playoffs, this VGK team, in my opinion, is and should be headed for another deep run in the playoffs. Calgary looked unbeatable just a week ago, but has now lost four in a row and has been passed by San Jose on its own four-game winning streak.
When it comes to Fleury, everything he does is noticed and rightly so. He’s nothing less than the heartbeat of this team. He stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced last night for a .935 save percentage. He’s won his last five starts of this streak, including back-to-back shutouts. He frustrated the Calgary Flames so much, they attempt to throw him off his game by running into him. He does it all for the VGK on the ice and his connection with the Las Vegas community is incredible off of the ice.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins exposed him in the expansion draft isn’t a secret: He was going into the last year of his contract and they thought his backup, Matt Murray, was the logical choice to replace Fleury both contract- and age-wise (he’s a ripe old 34). The 30 GM around the league made many mistakes when it came to exposing players to Vegas. The Fleury decision could be the biggest of them all. Trust me when I tell you, Fleury was hurt by Pittsburgh’s decision back in June 2017. But trust me when I tell you that their decision has inspired him to show not only the Penguins, but the entire NHL, that the Flower is still blooming and with the weather in Las Vegas, it may be blooming a lot longer than anyone else could have perceived. Sometimes things happen for a reason.
His win last night was his 438th in the NHL, passing Jacques Plante for sole possession of eighth place on the all-time list. Fleury’s record is 438-248-77. Plante’s record stands at 437-246 with 145 ties.
“It’s an honor to be among these guys. They’re legends of the game,” Fleury said after the win. “The most important thing is winning and we’ve been playing better hockey lately, and it shows.”
After Stone’s first goal, Tuch scored 4:35 later as a shot from the point by Merrill hit Tuch high in the chest and went behind Markstrom. In just another 3:30, Eakin scored a greasy goal in front of Markstrom on a scramble in the crease that deflected in off a Vancouver player. Tomas Nosek, who’s been a healthy scratch over the last few games, contributed to the barrage with a goal and an assist. Paul Stastny also had a multiple-point night with a goal and an assist. Nate Schmidt closed the scoring and continued the recent contributions from the defense with his ninth goal of the season.
The VGK are playing consistently, which was lacking for most of the season. Call it good timing or a coincidence, but this has all happened since Mark Stone arrived in Las Vegas. I’m going with the “Stone Age Factor” as the reason.
“It took a little bit longer than I hoped,” Stone said about his first VGK goal. “But five wins was pretty awesome to be a part of, so I’m just happy to keep this win streak going. The way the guys are playing right now is awesome and it’s awesome to be able to contribute.”
In a game that most of us thought would be played by Subban, the question is will Gallant and goaltending coach David Prior come right back with Fleury, considering they have the next five days off? Or do they play Subban and keep Fleury away from the crease-crashing Flames, who may have a sinister plan for the VGK netminder in preparation for a possible playoff matchup? If Fleury plays, things could become interesting if the Flames continue with their blue-paint plan. Could the “Lion in the Jungle” be summoned?
My 3 Stars of the Game: Mark Stone (1 goal, 1 assist), Alex Tuch (1 goal, 2 assists), Marc-André Fleury( 29 saves on 31 shots and five straight wins)
The next game is today at Calgary at 6:30 p.m.
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