The VGK’s 1st period starts have been suspect, along with their powerless power play and once again a slow start put them in an early hole in last night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus scored just 45 seconds into the game on a goal by Gustav Nyquist; then Alexandre Texier added a shorthanded goal for the quick 2-0 lead. Nyquist almost made it 3-0 with 6 minutes to go in the first period, only to be denied by Laurent Brossoit who made a desperate save, just getting a part of his blocker on the shot from Nyquist who was all alone in front of the net. Columbus was clearly the better team through 20 minutes.
Brossoit’s save on Nyquist was the difference in the outcome of the game that Vegas won by a score of 3-2 with an impressive final 40 minutes. If Columbus stretched their lead to 3-0, I’m not sure Vegas could have recovered.
Vegas needed another strong 2nd period to keep their hopes alive to win 5 games in this season-long 6-game homestand and they did just that. They trimmed the 2-0 lead to just 1 goal when Keegan Kolesar, who’s been snake bitten when it comes to scoring goals, finally got his first of the season off a behind-the-back pass from Jake Leschyshyn, who was behind the net, catching Kolesar streaking across the crease from the left-wing boards. The VGK got a bit unlucky in the final 30 seconds of the period when they missed on 3 open nets, with Howden missing twice and Pietrangelo banging one off the post as the period ended on a VGK power play.
Vegas started the 3rd period on the power play after Andrew Peeke took a delay-of-game penalty with 8 seconds to go in the second. A new sheet of ice to start the 3rd period was just what the doctor ordered. But no such luck, as Vegas couldn’t capitalize on their power play, registering a paltry 2 SOG. But the rest of the 3rd period belonged to the VGK who completely smoked the Blue Jackets. Columbus didn’t register their first SOG until 10:10 into the period.
The rest of the game belonged to the VGK. The speed of the VGK made the Blue Jackets seem like they were stuck in mud. Wave after wave of odd-man rushes entered the zone, even while the Blue Jackets were on the power play.
Columbus did ping Vegas with a shorthanded goal in the first period, but Vegas responded with one of their own by Reilly Smith just 4:45 into the 3rd period that tied the game at 2-2, setting up the GWG by Mattias Janmark with 6:07 left in the game. The play appeared offside and was challenged by Columbus. Janmark did accept the pass while being offside and the whistle was never blown, so Janmark was able to tag up and keep the play alive. The challenge was denied and Vegas had the 3-2 lead with just over 6 minutes to play.
Here is the official ruling. “According to the NHL Situation Room, the play prior to the goal was ruled offside, but the linesman did not whistle the play dead. The officials could not review that play, but only the latest entry from the Golden Knights, where Janmark was ruled onside.”
“It’s offsides, but as soon as that puck exits, it’s a whole new play,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “I was frustrated. I couldn’t help myself. I know the rules. I messed it up. That’s where emotion gets the best of you, and that’s on me.”
The VGK have overcome their 1st period issues in the 2nd periods of games in November, having a +10 in second-period goals. They got one last night, then added 2 in the 3rd that provided them with an astonishing 5 wins in the 6 games on this homestand. As much as you may say that’s not so astonishing, the fact that they’re playing with such a limited roster is what makes it so.
The injury list is so long that it takes 2 different screens on the T-Mobile Knight Tron to list all the players who are injured.
The 18,313 were about as loud as I have heard T-Mobile this year and their enthusiasm was warranted, as once again Vegas showed their resiliency in finding different ways to win games.
Other game notes and quotes. The VGK slayed 2 dragons in their last 2 games by finally beating Detroit at T-Mobile, plus the Columbus Blue Jackets, who had won four of the previous five meetings.
The Knights had their third multigoal comeback win of the season, the most in the NHL.
Reilly Smith was asked post-game why he keeps on shooting the pink flamingo into the net that is thrown on the ice following the game. “As long as we keep on winning. We won the last game when I did it, so I guess I’ll just try to keep that rolling.”
My 3 Stars of The Game: Reilly Smith (1G, a shorthanded goal that started the comeback), Keegan Kolesar (1G, 1A), Mattias Janmark (1G, the GWG).
Next game is tomorrow in St. Louis at 5 p.m. 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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Hey Joe! Great recap as usual.
At the second goal that Texier scored, Stone and Stevenson did an awfully bad defensive play. Stone is prone to break plays with his stick but not with his body. Stone is not the fastest player on the ice and Texier must have seen who he was up against.
Stevenson have moments on ice when he stops skating and adjusts the equipment on his arms that seems to slide down. Stevenson is by far the fastest player on ice in almost every game but he sometimes glide around instead of skate hard.
Some stupid penalties in the O-zone and puck-out is hard to understand when they are trying to get back in the game. Sloppy play!
I reilly miss Karlsson but Smith can score by himself on the PK. Maybe it´s a reason to the bad penalties.
On the positive side VGK showed that when they put some pressure on Columbus they created scoring chances witch lead to the winning goal. At times the good play and the forechecking are gone as they suddenly forgot how to do it.
The hockey gods decided to give the Golden Knights some help to score the winning goal.
Hague´s shot attempt was so hard that his stick broke in two. The puck “slided” to Janmark who scored in an empty goal.
It all evens up if you think of the open goal misses by Howden and Pietrangelo.
All in all this NAHL team by the name the Vegas Golden Knights isn´t far from the top of the Pacific Division after the first 18 games.
Thats very good! The standings doesn´t tell how VGK took their points just that it´s 22 so far.
GO VGK GO!
Kenneth
Their record is impressive especially considering they are missing enough players to start a 2nd team. The dept of this organization is being realized right now. Imangine if they still had all of their first-round picks 🙂
In my opinion there will be good things on the horizon for this team, if and when they get completely healthy. The other 31 teams should be afraid……..VERY AFRAID
Joe P.
Where are the VGK fans? There aren´t many comments on this blog and I can´t understand why.
Maybe I scare them away with my long comments, but as far as I know Joe Pane, the author of this blog, everyone are welcome as long as you´re not a “hater”.
There are many VGK fans who are old enough to have been around since even the WHA was an alternative in the 70´s.
I´m one of them who followed Borje Salming in Maple Leafs and all the swedish players in the WHA.
Yes I´m that old, and this is the first time I´ve been able, or allowed, to express my opinions about the Golden Knights.
If you´re a new fan who follows the VGK, leave a reply! Don´t be afraid of looking like a newcomer. Mr. Pane takes care of bullies!😎
Awesome comments as usual!🖤🧡🍁🇨🇦 Thanks,Joe
Thank you, Judy for supporting my blog. Your input is always appreciated.
Joe P.
Duygu Oruc wrote this
Considering our team is like a big infirmary with interns trying tirelessly they are having great results. Kudos to Head Coach and down and the players. Good job.
Nick Steffen sent this comment in
Even though the Knights have been finding ways to win, they need to stop spotting the opponents two points in the first period. It makes for an entertaining game but it is too hard on this old man’s heart.
Nick Steffen so true
Joe P.
Damien Garrett sent this opinion in
The boys finding ways to win. Just like in year and one finding ways to win.
Damien
I firmly believe when this 2021-22 team is completely healthy, they are an even better team than the 2017-18 team
Joe P.
Damien Garrett replied
Joe Pane hopefully that the boys can win the cup. When everyone is healthy this year
Damien Garrett that’s the plan. These early season injuries may somehow be a blessing in disguise as we all know it a grind physically to get there. The less wear and tear on the bodies might bold well come spring/early summer.
Joe P.
Scottie Maiello said
Go knights go