Knights on Ice — VGK Takes the Sword to Vancouver

There are a few ways to use a sword. Last night, the VGK used one in a way that was drastically different from how Marc-André Fleury’s agent Alan Walsh did on Saturday. The VGK plunged their sword deep into the heart of the Vancouver Canucks in what easily could be called a good old-fashioned schoolyard beatdown. Vegas literally smacked around Vancouver in the 5-0 victory in Game 1 of this 2^nd-round matchup.

If you were quarantined or locked in a bubble and missed the goaltending drama that currently surrounds this team and you would like to hear a spirited debate between Eddie Rivkin, who covers the VGK for Hockeywriters.com, and yours truly, we did a short podcast about it yesterday before the game (link at the bottom of the post). I personally think goaltending could be a major problem going forward, while Eddie is on the opposite side.

Based on last night’s results, I may have a little egg on my face, as the boys showed up on a mission and cast aside any doubt of a possible divided locker room. Right now, they’re focused on their mission in the bubble in Edmonton. They went to Canada seeking 19 wins and they’ve won 8 of their first 9 games. Still, there’s only one goal, the Stanley Cup, and any drama in the next few weeks will be damaging. The goaltender issue very well may be the end of the feel-good story about this team and the love affair it has shared with the city of Las Vegas since October 1, 2017, and continues to this day.

The VGK fan base is deeply divided over the Fleury vs. Lehner situation. Winning the Stanley Cup will make this seem like a small distraction that the team successfully cast aside on their journey to hoist the Cup.

Even before the game started, there was a good indication of Vancouver’s plan: trying to get into the head of the current starting goaltender Robin Lehner. What the ever-pesky Antoine Roussel said to Lehner at center ice during the pre-game skate we may never know, but it sure lit a fire under Robin and got Ryan Reaves’ juices flowing. It doesn’t take much to get Reaves engaged and he was a wrecking ball throughout the game, leading all players with 11 hits and chirping continuously from the bench when he wasn’t on the ice.

Instead of Roussel getting under the skin of Lehner and the other VGK players, it was Roussel who became unglued and took a 10-minute misconduct to boot. Reaves could be seen making chicken calls to Roussel, as I believe he turned down Revo’s invite for a dance at center ice. Reaves also stopped by the penalty box as Roussel sat there with the smile that has to irk you beyond belief.

Lehner admitted post-game that Roussel inspired him. “I want to thank [Roussel],” Lehner said. “It definitely gives me motivation. He got a couple of extra percentages out of me today. I hope he keeps going, because he’s just poking the bear.” Or in this case, a Panda bear who gave Roussel a jab to the back of his leg exactly where there is almost zero protection as the Vancouver pest skated by the crease early in the first period.

VGK speed was on full display last night and it really showed during the 2^nd period when both teams have the long change, especially for the defensemen. Vegas exploded for 3 goals in the second period to add to their 1st-period goal by Jonathan Marchessault for a 4-0 lead entering the 3^rd period, but this game was already long over. Robin Lehner had beaten Vancouver twice in his career, both being shutouts, and last night Panda remained perfect vs. Vancouver — 3 wins, 3 shutouts. Barring a complete disaster from Lehner in Game 2 or 3, the seat at the end of the bench that Fleury currently occupies looks like it will be his spot for a least the next 2 games.

Reilly Smith, Mark Stone, and Alex Tuch scored in the second period to extend the lead to 4-0. Max Pacioretty scored the fifth and final goal for Vegas to close out the game in a resounding fashion at 5-0.

Sixteen different VGK players have scored goals so far in the playoffs. The depth of this team is clear to see. If Vancouver doesn’t adjust to the speed of Vegas, this series will be over quickly. Vancouver is a young team with a lot of talent upfront and on defense, not to mention Markstrom in goal, who had a less-than-stellar night. Markstrom was pulled late in the game by Travis Green, who could be seen telling Markstrom that he didn’t replace him because of soft goals, but more of a “let’s forget about this game and focus on Game 2.”

“We’re a hard team to beat when we control the puck in the offensive zone, and we did that tonight,” Reilly Smith said about the game.

The dominance isn’t good news for Fleury, as changing goaltenders when the team is firing on all cylinders isn’t wise. It’s a tough spot for the Flower and one he experienced in Pittsburgh, which ultimately made him available to the VGK in the expansion draft in June 2017.

As a VGK fan, you want the team to win the Stanley Cup in only their 3^rd year, but it may come at the expenses of Fleury’s future with the VGK, a bitter pill to swallow, and painful even to consider. How does VGK management expect Fleury to just suck this up and go back to being the starting goaltender next season, as he still has 2 years remaining on his contract? Is he supposed to make-believe like none of this ever happened? It’s impossible to keep both Flower and Panda, considering the team’s current cap space.

They say you should never get attached to a player from your team these days. Players move when their contracts are up, but I’m sorry: When it comes to Fleury, you’re asking for something that’s next to impossible. He’s such a good human being, a great teammate, and a future Hall of Famer who has been and continues to be the face of this franchise. He’s supposed to retire as a VGK. That, unfortunately, may not happen and his agent’s tweet, a sword with DeBoer’s name on it piercing Fleury’s heart, will be one of the major reasons.

My 3 Stars of the Game: Reilly Smith (1G, 1 A, and his assist on Marchessault’s goal was a clinic in cycling the puck down low and making the Vancouver players seem like stationary cones), Alex Tuch (1G, 1A, and skating like he’s been shot out of a cannon), Mark Stone (1G, 1A).

Next game is tomorrow at 6:45 Pacific Time on NBCSports Network.

Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can contact me directly at[email protected] Or on my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or at Twitter @TheRealJoePane

Podcast

Marchy goal set up by Reilly Smith

Tuch’s goal

Stone’s goal