The Vancouver Canucks came roaring out of their locker room and scored the first 2 goals on just 4 shots in 5:56 of the first period for a quick 2-0 lead in last night’s game at T-Mobile. But the Vegas Golden Knights responded by scoring 7 of the next 9 goals for the 7-4 win.
With this win, Vegas has won 8 of their last 10 games, improving their record to 9-6-0, all while missing key players that make up almost 1/3 of their lineup to injuries. Alec Martinez was the newest addition to the infirmary list after suffering a facial cut that required in excess of 50 stitches to close.
Mark Stone, who has missed 12 of the previous 14 games, was a welcome sight on the ice for both his teammates and the crowd. Both seemed to be energized just by the sight of #61 at the start of the game. It wasn’t the kind of start Stone was looking for.
“Turned the puck over my first shift for a goal, then took a penalty on the second shift for a goal, so it couldn’t get any worse,” Stone said on his start. “I definitely felt better as the game went on. I haven’t even had a practice really yet. It’s been a long month for me, but I’m excited to get back out there with the guys.”
If you like high scoring and an up-and-down hockey game, you were thoroughly entertained. Robin Lehner called it “pond” hockey — which isn’t known for stellar defense play, evidenced by Vancouver’s 2 goals on just 4 shots. Meanwhile, Vancouver was tagged for 7 goals last night, after giving up 7 goals in their last game on Thursday vs. Colorado. They’ve given up 14 goals on the last 74 shots. The last time Vancouver gave up 7 goals in back-to-back games was Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1997.
After Vancouver scored their first 2, Vegas roared back with 3 to take a 3-2 lead.
It started with Evgenii Dadonov scoring the first of the VGK’s 2 power-play goals with just 14 seconds left in the first period on a 5-on-3. Dadonov’s late goal fired up the team; Reilly Smith scored his 5th goal of the season 5:50 into the 2nd period to tie the game up at 2-2.
Brayden McNabb, who for the 3rd game in a row had a monster hit along the right-wing boards, broke the 2-2 tie with his 3rd goal of the season at the 10:51 mark when Shea Theodore stole the puck just inside the Vancouver blue line and his cross-ice pass found McNabb at the top of the faceoff circle to the right of Vancouver netminder Thatcher Demko and we had our second lead change of the game. If you recall, Demko gave the VGK fits in the Edmonton playoff bubble in 2020, but last night that was not the case.
Nils Hoglander scored for Vancouver with 2:45 left in the second period, sending both teams to the locker room tied at 3-3.
The next lead change occurred early in the third when Jake Leschyshyn scored his first NHL goal on an incredible pass from Dadonov.
The pond hockey continued 52 seconds later, when Nils Hoglander scored his second goal of the game. Jonathan Marchessault scored the VGK’s 2nd PPG and his 100th goal as a VGK for the 3rd and final lead change; it was also Marchessault’s 6th goal in his last 6 games, but his wasn’t done for the night just yet.
In the meantime, Mark Stone finally found his vision on the ice, which he’s noted for. He waited patiently for defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to slide past him, creating an open lane to send the puck to Dadonov, who was gliding in toward Demko. The pass was perfect and so was Dadonov’s shot. Vegas wound up scoring 4 third-period goals. Marchessault scored his 2nd of the game and his 101st goal as a VGK 1:23 after Dadonov’s goal for the 7th VGK goal of the game. It was Marchessault’s 7th goal in his last 6 games. He has stepped up when needed so far early in the season.
Marchessault said something last night after the game that says a lot about how he sees himself as a VGK (Misfit): “Being a VGK is the pride of my career.” That’s a powerful statement coming from a five-foot-nine-inch and 184-pound guy who plays like he’s six-two and and weighs 225. One thing you have to admit is that he plays with everything he has, including the heart of a lion.
Other game notes and quotes. With last night’s win, Vegas is currently in a playoff spot as the wild card and trails Calgary by only 1 point for 2nd place in the Pacific Division.
Marchessault is the first player in VGK history to reach his goal-scoring milestones.
“Obviously, I’m pretty proud of that,” Marchessault said. “I take a lot of pride in playing for the Golden Knights and being here since Day 1. Working hard every night, trying to help my teammates win a hockey game. VGK is the pride of my career.”
“Tonight wasn’t the prettiest game for us,” Marchessault said. “I think we could’ve done a better job in the first two periods, but good teams find a way to win.”
The Golden Knights scored seven goals or more in a game for the eighth time in their history; the most they’ve scored is eight in their second season, Nov. 27, 2018, vs. the Blackhawks; the VGK won that game 8-3. William Karlsson scored the game-winning goal on the power play.
For the first time in 10 games, the Canucks scored first, as J.T. Miller scored on a breakaway, moments after Michael Amadio missed a wide-open net on a 2-on-1.
It was just the third time all season the Canucks had scored first in a game.
My 3 stars of the game: Evgenii Dadonov (2G, including a PPG and 1A), Jonathan Marchessault (2G, including a PPG and his 101st goal as a VGK), Jake Leschyshyn (1G, his first in the NHL, and 1A)
Next game is Tuesday November 16th vs. Carolina at T-Mobile 7 pm Pacific Time
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you may contact me directly at [email protected] or on my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or on Twitter @TheRealJoePane
One other note: If you’re reading this blog from Facebook or Twitter and would like to access it earlier in the morning before I share it on social media, it’s usually published by 8 a.m. the morning after a game on LasVegasAdvisor.com. What better way is there to enjoy your morning coffee than reading my take on last night’s VGK game.
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Jeff Yepsen sent this comment in
Sounds like an exciting game. Good to see the young guys contributing.
Jeff Yepsen yes 3 of the kids with their first NHL goals in the last 2 games.
Joe P.
Well, well, well. Without the 7 goals, like in the bubble a year ago. I would say that this was a really bad and boring game. Bad passing and many turnovers. Bad changes lead to penalties or scoring chances for VC. Despite for four goals against Lehner was good but on his head. They didn´t help him enough. Take the third goal. Hutton didn´t help Lehner with the eventual rebound. Instead he stopped playing and when it was too late he grabbed Hoglander around the neck. Bad d-man insticts.
In the defence Fumbledore made some some awfully bad decisions and bad passes which lead the team into problems. I know most of you just loves Theodore but I don´t think he´s a great d-man. Even Hughes, who is a liability in his own zone, is a much better d-man due to his play in the other zones. In the first period Hague played like he had a pig running around his skates. His play was out of synch. I know I´m harsh in my judgements but I´m entitled to be that when they are playing at this level. I wrote earlier about Hoglander not being a one trick pony, but I think Dadonov is just that. He´s got great goalscoring instincts and he want´s to score from any range and doesn´t shy away from the tough areas in front of the goal.
Reilly and Marchy is the new wild west show in the strip. Come and see them shoot at Goodyear-blob goalies on inlines. Free entrance! Great scorers both of them. Missing William in between them. But he´ll be back.
Good to see the new kids on the block score. It made the whole team as happy as Stone can be.
I wrote about Hoglander earlier and now you could see why I´m so high on him. He´s only 20 yo and has so many tools in his box. He´s fast, have great hands, strong on the puck and without the puck, a great passer, intelligent. On the downside, must learn how to play in the d-zone and practise on his shot. He belongs to be in a better team than the Eunucks. They gonna drag him down to their way of playing. No fun and losing almost every night. Right now he´s jumping with joy just for playing in the NHL. Get him in a trade for Theodore, that´s good for the cap hit.
Good points Kenneth. Yes Hutton stop skating and let his man free to get behind Lehner to tap in the puck that just laid there behind Panda. It was a real pond hockey game as Lehner pointed out. Stone’s return was a big boost for the team and the crowd.
Joe P
I´m sorry if I sound a bit negative in my comment, but as a former player, coach and even referee (many years ago) I look at the game of hockey in a bit more analysing way. What happened and why. What can the VGK do different in the next game. I don´t care which player made this or that. It´s about a learning curve of each player and it´s interresting to see if the player does the bad play again. Following the players over some games makes you guess right about the next move they do. It´s like some goalies keeping a book on how the good scorers shoot.
I know the VGK staff doesn´t read this. I do it for the fun. Sometimes I get carried away whether it´s a good or bad play.
I´m a sofa-coach without the six-pack of beer and snacks. I can watch other teams just for knowing their flaws that VGK can capitalize on. I´m old enough having the time to watch all games and my girlfriend loves hockey to.
Joe makes a recap that mostly is on the positive side and he´s really a “spot-on-guy” in my opinion.
My “negative” comments are there hopefully to make some balance to it. I´m not writing this to make someone angry.
And I´m not always “spot on”!
We were at the game and it was indeed entertaining. I particularly liked the penalty against their goalie for delay of game and the net. We did see workers out on that net twice, was there really a problem or just fir show? So exciting to see Captain Mark back even with him being a little off his game. We headed to the parking lot when we got the insurance goal, but heard the horn of the final goal as we crossed the street. We won’t see another live game until the first week of January but will see the 3 I am most interested in seeing on the 2nd, 6th and 8th!! Go Knights
Yes Darcy the game on Jan 6th against the Rangers, with Reaves and Gallant returning to the Fortress should be interesting. Reaves has said he most likely will get a short video and a nice reception from the fans. Then he wants to lay out one of the VGK so the fans can boo him. He is a character.
As for the game on Jan 8th vs. Fleury that will be a weird situation that I have been a part of once before when the NY Rangers traded their crowd favorite goalie Eddie Giacomin to Detroit. As fate would have it their next game was at MSG against Giacomin and Detroit. It was the only time in MSG history that the crowd was rooting for the visiting team. Very weird and I’m not sure how the crowd at T-Mobile will be on Jan 8th.
Joe P.
Mary Becker wrote this
Kind of a toss-up for me I think I would have given McNabb a star not Dadonov. Nabber doesn’t score many goals and fires up the team with hits
Mary Becker yes you are right and I almost took out Jake first goal as the 3rd star and would have had McNabb you are not wrong on this.
Joe P.