Knights on Ice — Vegas, We Have A Problem

The famous quote from the Apollo 13 mission to NASA headquarters in Houston was, “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” which over the years has been misquoted many times to “Houston, we have a problem.”

The VGK headquarters is right here in Vegas and let me tell you all, Vegas, we have a problem.

The VGK have scored the most goals in their first periods in the NHL. Yes, they’re number on in the league. Unfortunately, the NHL still requires them to play the 2^nd and 3^rd periods. Twenty minutes do not complete a hockey game.

The VGK came back twice from a 2-goal deficit at 2-0 and 3-1 before finally losing 5-2 to the Washington Capitals. There was a slight glimmer of hope that they would possibly find some scoring in the 2^nd and 3^rd periods on their way to fixing this current problem. But no such luck and without Reilly Smith and Max Pacioretty scoring the goals, there wouldn’t be scoring from anyone. Smith scored his 10^th of the season last night, which leads the team, and has 3 goals in the last 3 games. Pacioretty’s goal also gave him 3 in the last 4 games. Mark Stone is MIA; after scoring 6 goals in the first 9 games, he has a mere 2 goals in the last 9 games and 1 in the last 5.

In their last 4 games, which total 8 periods along with 2 OT sessions, the VGK have scored a total of 3 goals in the 2^nd and 3^rd periods and OT combined. This is just part of the problem, but there’s more.

The VGK have the 2^nd ranked penalty kill among the 31 teams. It was #1 ranked until the Toronto game and that’s something of a blessing in disguise, as over the last 4 games, the VGK have been shorthanded 20 different times and set a new high for penalties in the Toronto game with 6. They did the same last night against the Caps with another parade to the penalty box: 6 minor penalties.

You may dodge a bullet or, in this case, a goal, taking that many penalties against other opponents, but if you give the Maple Leafs with all of their talent an extra skater 6 different times, your top-ranked penalty kill will eventually crack as they did on the 6^th power play the VGK handed them. Last night, they gave the current best team in hockey another 6 power-play chances and Washington cashed in with a power-play goal.

There is only so much you can get away with and scoring only 5 goals combined in the last 3 games leaves very little wiggle room to steal a win—no matter who’s in goal, Subban or Fleury. Last night, Fleury gave up 4 goals; one was an empty-netter.

You have to beat the good teams in the league if you have any intention of having success, not only in the 82-game season, but in the playoffs, in which Vegas currently isn’t in the running. They’re just 2 points ahead of Arizona for the last Wild Card spot and Arizona has played one less game.

The VGK have a record of 9-6-3 with only 2 of their wins coming against teams currently in playoff spots. Their overall record against these teams sits at 2-5-2. Their record against non-playoff teams is 7-1-1.

The band-aid effect will be in place for today’s game vs. Detroit. The Red Wings have a record of 5-12-1, currently the worst in the league. If Vegas wins this game, which they should, a lot of you will be saying, “Not that bad of a road trip, gaining 5 points out of a possible 8.” But that’s the band-aid approach to the current state of affairs with this team. There are issues that need to be fixed if this team intends to make any sort of noise come April. In no particular order, as they all need to be solved, they are: scoring; staying out of the penalty box; moving the puck out of their defensive zone with either tape-to-tape passes between the 2 defensemen or using the boards to get the puck up and out of the zone; and establishing a forecheck.

Last night, the often-reliable Jonathan Marchessault decided to use a behind-the-back blind pass into the middle of their defensive zone from the half-wall, leading to Tom Wilson’s goal that extended the Capitals lead to 2-0.

Six of the 12 forwards in the game for Vegas had either zero shots on goal or just 1. Max Pacioretty led the team with 6 shots on goal. All forwards, especially the first 9, have to be more engaged on the offense.

Credit goes to Tom Wilson, who decided that scoring goals and winning the game were more important than letting Ryan Reaves live rent free in his head. They both had a conversation at center ice during warm-ups before the game that looked somewhat friendly. I was surprised, as I was almost certain they would drop the gloves.

I don’t expect Kane and Reaves to duplicate the same kumbaya on Nov. 21 at T-Mobile. Wilson and Reaves, I suspect, respect each other as they both play with an edge. Wilson’s edge may be slightly sharper than Revo’s, as he has been known to cross the line with late and questionable hits. But there is zero respect for Kane from Reaves.

But before we beam ourselves to Nov 21, there are 5 games before the Baby Sharks appear on the ice at T-Mobile and all 5 are ones that can and should be won if they can get back to playing like and as the team we know. The 5 games that will determine where the VGK are headed are Nov. 10 @ Detroit, Nov. 13 vs. Chicago, Nov 16 @ L.A., Nov. 17 vs. Calgary, and Nov 19 vs. Toronto.

They say that teams in a playoff spot come Thanksgiving are very likely to make the playoffs. These 5 games right before Turkey Day are the white meat of the season for Vegas if they’re serious about making the playoffs.

One other observation. It appeared that Nate Schmidt may have injured his knee when he took a somewhat late hit from Oshie late in the game in the corner to Fleury’s left. Let’s hope not. But I did notice him having some discomfort. The last thing this team needs is for Nate to go down.

My 3 Stars of the Game: Backstrom (2G, 6 SOG), Kuznetsov (1G, 1A, 5 SOG), Pacioretty (1G, 6 SOG)

Next game is a quick turnaround with a 2 p.m. Pacific start time vs. Detroit.

Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can contact me directly at [email protected] or visit my Facebook page, Vegas Hockey Guy.

Video recap of the game