These preseason games are really insignificant, their only purpose to help the coaching staff formulate what small changes will happen for the beginning of the regular season, which is when wins and losses matter. Granted, the VGK won the first four of their seven preseason games, but there were no horns blowing or chests pumping.
The coaching staff pretty much knows how things will shake out. The rookies are given their shot in training camp and the preseason is a dress rehearsal for opening night.
In last night’s 3-2 loss to the L.A. Kings, the VGK’s starting lineup was pretty much what you’ll see on Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks. The scratches were Cody Glass, Nicolas Roy, Nicolas Hague, Brandon Piri, and the injured Ryan Reaves. Reaves might play the last preseason game on Sunday, which could clear him to play on Oct 2.
In place of Reaves last night was Keegan Kolesar, whom I’ve nicknamed KK. KK is a suitable replacement for Revo if needed; they’re virtually the same size and height and play a similar grinding and hitting game — exactly the expected role of a 4th-line forward. If the 4th line can add some scoring, that’s a bonus, and last year Revo scored the most goals in his nine-year career: 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points, which included 3 power-play goals and 2 game-winning goals, topping his previous high of 7 goals and 6 assists in the 2016-2017 season with St. Louis.
In last night’s game, the Kings’ 4th line scored 2 even-strength goals sandwiched between a power-play goal. They only had to play 40 minutes of hockey to beat the Knights, who showed up for the second and third periods only.
This insignificant game became rather significant when both Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin were injured.
If you recall, last season Tuch was injured in the preseason and missed the first 8 games. It appears history is repeating itself; Tuch fell awkwardly face first into the end boards on his 4th shift of the 2nd period when he got tangled up with Sean Walker, who received a 2-minute penalty for holding. Tuch got up on his own, but looked somewhat dazed as he skated directly off the ice and into the locker room. That’s never a good sign. Most players return to the bench to get their wits about them, but Tuch disappeared into the tunnel and was never seen again.
Cody Eakin’s last shift of the game was his 4th shift of the 3rd period. If both of these players, who as of now comprise two-thirds of the VGK’s 3rd line, aren’t ready to go on Wednesday, this will have a resounding effect on the first part of the season. Between injuries and Nate Schmidt’s 20-game suspension, the VGK never had a complete lineup for their 2018-2019 82-game season.
Injuries are part of the game, but to possibly lose two players off the same line is a problem. The top 6 forwards for Vegas are pretty much set in stone and the 3rd line of Eakin, Tuch, and Zykov, with Glass and Pirri standing by, is formidable. Glass and Pirri might get their chance as early as Sunday’s match-up with San Jose at T-Mobile at 5 p.m., if in fact Tuch and Eakin injuries aren’t day to day.
Fleury was in the net last night and looked good, even though he gave up 2 goals in the first period, one on the power play. He seemed to be real active, using his pads to direct the puck out of harm’s way, while keeping the play moving.
Vegas stormed back and became engaged in the 3rd period, scoring 2 goals within 1:14 to tie the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal by Paul Stastny, followed by Brayden McNabb’s even-strength goal. L.A.’s 4th line responded with the game-winner by Kyle Clifford with 8:59 remaining. On the winning goal, VGK defenseman Nick Holden left his position and drifted all the way out to the blue line, allowing L.A. to move the puck down low in the spot where Holden was expected to be. Last night, Holden was paired with Engelland and in my opinion, that’s not a good combo.
But it’s only a preseason game and the coaching staff is looking at certain small adjustments in preparation for the 82-game schedule. They even had Marchessault taking faceoffs instead of Karlsson. Gallant explained that with the new faceoff rules, where the teams can determine where the faceoff takes place, they wanted to explore that option.
Jonathan Quick was excellent in goal for L.A. and was the only reason the Kings won the game. He stopped 40 of the 42 shots he faced. He did get a little lucky at the final buzzer with Fleury pulled for an extra skater and Vegas moving the puck around the net when their last shot hit Drew Doughty’s skate, then hit the post to Quick’s left to end the game right at the buzzer.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Jonathan Quick (40 saves), the Kings’ 4th line (2 goals), Paul Stastny (1 PPG, 1 assist)
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