Knights on Ice — The Missing $18.3 Million

Last night the VGK were missing $18.3 million worth of crucial players to their lineup and it showed in their 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo who were injured in Saturday’s game in San Jose did not play, even though Pete DeBoer claimed that Stone’s not returning to the game in San Jose was based on the score of the game and their upcoming schedule. I did write in my last post that this might be a fabrication, as this organization is very tight-lipped when it comes to injuries.

Minnesota has not been kind to the VGK in the past; coming into last night’s game, they had 1 victory in 5 games at the Xcel Energy Center. In those 4 losses, they managed just 6 goals. Last night they were shut out by Kappo Kahkonen, who extended his winning streak to 7 games compliments of the non-existing offensive of the VGK. The VGK power play was 0-3, with zero shots on goal in their first 2. They did manage 4 shots on the final power play, but to no avail. Stone and Pietrangelo were deeply missed, not only in the game but especially on the power play.

The only goal that Marc-Andre Fleury surrendered was on an offensive zone giveaway by Koeslar, who attempted to push the puck back up to the blue line to a streaking Max Pacioretty who was coming off the bench and joining the play in the offensive zone. The pass never made it to Patches and Kevin Fiala broke in on Fleury on a 2-on-1 with only Nick Holden scurrying back. Fiala’s shot beat Fleury and that was the only goal Minnesota needed to snap the VGK’s 6-game winning streak.

Minnesota was awarded a 2nd goal with Fleury on the bench for an extra skater. Even though Jonas Brodin’s shot at the vacated net went wide, he was awarded a goal because of Jonathan Marchessault’s slash just as he was about to release his shot. It didn’t matter at this point, because in the previous 59.54 minutes of play, Vegas could not put a puck past Kaapo Kahkonen, who is having a stellar rookie season for the Wild.

With Stone out, Alex Tuch was moved up to the first line and deservedly so, considering his play recently. Coghlan replaced Pietrangelo on the back end.

Fleury was denied his 13th win in his 16th start, but could not be blamed. His 12 wins in his first 15 starts were a career first, amazing when you consider how many years he’s been playing.

It was reported by Bryan Salmand on Channel 3 here in Las Vegas that the VGK tried to trade Fleury away during the off-season, but no team would take him. I wonder how many teams right now are regretting that decision. If you weren’t aware, Fleury leads the league in shutouts and is 2nd in save percentage at .949 with a 12-4 record.

The VGK power play had been 0-8 in the last 3 games and now is 0-11 in their last 4.

There was a scary moment in the game when Zach Whitecloud fell awkwardly after being tangled up with a Minnesota player at center ice. Zach seemed dazed when he got back up on his skates and appeared to have hit his head on the ice. When he didn’t return for the beginning of the 2nd period, there was a bit of concern. Whitecloud did return at the 12:49 mark of the 2nd to the relief of not only the VGK organization, but to all of Las Vegas.

Minnesota had a +16-goal differential in their first periods this season, best in the league; their opening goal by Fiala kept that stat alive.

Minnesota continues to be a thorn in Vegas’ side, despite the VGK winning their last 2 games at T-Mobile last week. Minnesota is 7-4 vs. Vegas. Other teams that seem to have a step up on Vegas are the Boston Bruins at 4-1-1 vs Vegas and the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2 overall.

My 3 Stars of the Game: Kaapo Kahkonen (26 saves in shutting out the VGK), Kevin Fiala (GWG), Marc- Andre Fleury (who stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced).

Next game is tomorrow vs. Minnesota Wild at 4 p.m. Pacific Time

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Fiala’s winning goal

Brodin’s empty-netter