The goal droughts of Alex Tuch (14 games) and Mark Stone (10 games) became history when they both scored key goals in the VGK 4-2 win over the L.A. Kings.
Stone’s shorthanded goal just as the 2nd period was coming to a close was a game changer. Goals in the final minute of a period can and most likely will change the momentum of a game and Stone’s goal did just that. L.A. had jumped out to a 2-goal lead before Vegas could respond with 4 unanswered goals. Stone’s shorthanded goal, his first as a VGK, tied the game at 2-2.
Going into the locker room tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play had to be a good feeling for the team and the coaching staff that had arrived in L.A. 2 players short, with both Ryan Reaves and Keegan Kolesar not even making the trip due to injuries they both sustained in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Arizona. The Knights were forced to put together another makeshift lineup last night of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. So far this season, Vegas has fielded lineups of 13 forwards and 5 defensemen and missing players, as well as the normal 12 forwards and 6 defensemen. Dylan Coughlan was the 7th defenseman dressed last night, but he played as a forward for the first 2 periods.
This problem in filling in the open spots of the bottom 6 forwards while staying under the salary cap may actually end tomorrow, when newly acquired forward Mattias Janmark arrives from the San Jose Sharks, who acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks in a complicated 3-way deal that Vegas had to broker considering their salary-cap problems.
To make it simple, Chicago traded Janmark to San Jose and retained 50% of his salary in exchange for two draft picks from the VGK. San Jose turned right around and traded him to Vegas, retaining 25% of Janmark’s salary, in exchange for a fifth-round 2022 draft pick. The deal leaves Vegas picking up $560,000 of the contract — the only way they could obtain him. When the smoke cleared, Vegas had exactly $34,000 left in cap space.
Now that’s putting your cap space to work, as the arrival of Janmark appears to solve the only hole that Vegas felt needed attention. Will it be enough to get them to their ultimate goal? Only time will tell; first, the VGK have to get out of the Honda West Division. They remain in 2nd place, 4 points behind the Avs with a game in hand. The Avs are currently on a “heater,” going 16-1-2 in their last 19 games. Vegas will attempt to take matters into their own hands with the 2 games against the Avs at T-Mobile on April 26 and 28. Relying on other teams to beat Colorado isn’t working.
Even though Chandler Stephenson didn’t score a goal last night, he was giving the L.A. Kings fits with his speed; he had multiple breakaways and registered 4 SOG, only to be denied by Calvin Petersen who was bombarded with 45 shots. Petersen also faced 5 shots while his own team was on the power play. Stone’s shorthanded goal was the one he didn’t stop.
Other game notes. Vegas is now 5-0-1 on the 2nd game of a back-to-back and undefeated (11-0) when Stone scores a goal. Max Pacioretty’s PPG was his 300th career goal, 226 with Montreal and 74 with the VGK. It was also Pacioretty’s 8th 20-goal season. Alex Tuch’s goal his 14th of the season and his 2nd GWG of the season. Robin Lehner is now 4-0 vs. L.A. and in the 4 games has given up just 8 goals for 2.00 GAA. Last night’s win was also his 9th for the season (9-1-2)
Vegas also received defenseman Nick DeSimone in the Janmark 3-way trade. DeSimone was returned to the San Jose Shark’s minor league affiliate to finish out his season with the Barracudas. I warned you it was a complicated deal. Vegas pays his salary while he plays for the Shark affiliate. The in and outs of traversing the Gary Bettman salary cap.
Coming into last night’s game, Vegas’ PP was ranked 25th and L.A. had the 2nd best penalty killing unit in the league. Vegas scored a PPG and the Kings surrendered a shorthanded goal last night. Just when you think you have this all figured out.
My 3 Stars of the Game
1) Mark Stone (1G, 1A; his shorthanded tied the game after Vegas fell behind 2-0 and changed the momentum)
2) Alex Tuch (1G, the GWG, which showcased his speed)
3) Shea Theodore (2A and 6 SOG)
Next game is tomorrow vs. the Kings at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
If you want to hear and see more VGK content please check out the podcast I do with Eddie Rivkin on YouTube. It’s called “Hockey Knights in Vegas.”
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