The Vegas Golden Knights needed something to get their confidence and swagger back and the San Jose Sharks filled the bill, as the VGK won 4-1 victory at the SAP Center.
The VGK somehow find a way to beat San Jose just about every time these teams get together and yesterday’s matchup, as strange as it may seem, was the first time these 2 teams played each other this season. The Knights and Sharks have played a combined 98 games this season and the schedule somehow had four months before they faced each other. Which is a good thing for San Jose, who just cannot beat the VGK. With yesterday’s win, Vegas is an outstanding 17-1-3 overall and 9-0-2 at the SAP Center.
The VGK have won 10 straight against San Jose. They went 8-0 last year, when all the games were played against Pacific Division teams because of COVID travel restrictions; they also a won December 22, 2019.
Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Marchessault seem to excel against the Sharks. Pacioretty had a 6-game point streak going into yesterday’s game and he added 2 points with a goal, his 3rd goal in his last 2 games and his 15th of the season, along with 1 assist. Jonathan Marchessault had 24 points in 20 games vs. San Jose, but was held scoreless.
Coach DeBoer was visibly upset with his team’s performance recently, especially the defense wise against the L.A. Kings. So he made a bold move and went with Logan Thompson as the starting goaltender. DeBoer didn’t say he did this to get his team’s attention, but it was clear that was the intended message to his team. With the Knight’s shortened bench because of injuries, his hands are somewhat tied when it comes to making adjustments anywhere else, but starting “LT” said a lot. The team, especially the veterans, know that they have a goalie making only his 2nd NHL start, so they’ll want to step up to make his job a little easier. It was a good spot for LT: The Sharks were on a 5-game losing streak and, like the Knights, had lost some confidence; at the same time, DeBoer was making it clear to his team that they were in desperate need of 2 points.
LT was very good in the net, especially when Vegas was on the power play. San Jose had 4 scoring opportunities while shorthanded; LT was credited with 3 saves and one of the 4 chances rolled off of the stick of the attacking player. LT stopped 35 of the 36 shots he faced for a .972 save percentage. At the other end of the ice, James Reimer stopped 31 of 34 shots.
Keegan Kolesar opened the scoring on a shot that James Reimer probably wants back; his unobstructed wrist shot from at least 40 feet out should have been an easy save. For Kolesar, a healthy scratch in the Colorado game, it was his 5th goal. DeBoer is trying to motivate players and he publicly stated that Kolesar was playing soft and the team needed him to stick his nose in when it was needed. Kolesar got the message and even stuck his nose in at the end of the game when there was a gathering of players in front of LT.
The VGK’s physicality has all but disappeared this season and the departure of Ryan Reaves has a lot to do with that. It was good to see the team, especially Kolesar and Carrier, taking matters into their own hands at the end of the game. I do wish that someone had stepped up on Andrew Cogliano, who plastered Max Pacioretty on a questionable hit from behind. Max wasn’t hurt, but hits like that need to be addressed by teammates. Maybe not on that shift, but with the score 3-0 late in the game, Cogliano must be made aware that his hit on Pacioretty will not be tolerated.
Jack Eichel had just 2 SOG in his first 2 games, but had 4 SOG just in the first period last night and seemed to be feeling a lot more comfortable. It sure was good to see him engaged. He scored a goal that he virtually set up by himself with a nice pass to Stephenson, who took the pass, then used the net to screen the defenseman. Stephenson snuck around the net and found Eichel heading straight for the front of the net, anticipating the pass. He was right and Jake had his first goal as a VGK; it turned out to be the game-winner when Nick Bonino scored the only San Jose goal halfway through the 3rd period that trimmed the lead to 3-1. Chandler Stephenson put one into an empty net for the final goal of the game and a much-needed win and 2 valuable points in the Pacific Division, especially with Edmonton finally losing a game to break their 5-game winning streak.
Other game notes and quotes.
“It’s obviously been a long time since I scored a goal, so it’s a good feeling,” Eichel said. “It’s just part of my game. Obviously, I want to try and chip in offensively, so it’s good to help contribute tonight.”
“It takes a little pressure off him,” DeBoer said. “I liked his game tonight. Every game he’s taking another step and tonight he was that much better than in games one and two. He’s starting to get more comfortable, use his speed, and get his timing. Good signs.”
“I thought he was great,” DeBoer said of Thompson. “He was solid all night. The rebound control was good. He played the puck really well. He was calm, composed, and played a really good game.”
“Jack makes the people around him better,” Alex Pietrangelo said. “That’s a big compliment. The speed, the hockey sense, playing at a high level, making plays at a high speed. I know when I played against him, that’s what made him lethal offensively.”
Last night’s win was DeBoer’s 499th in the NHL. He’s 499-366-119 in 984 NHL games in 15 seasons with the Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and San Jose Sharks.
My 3 stars of the game: Max Pacioretty (1G, 1A as he starts to heat up), Jack Eichel (1G, the GWG, 1A, and 5 SOG), Logan Thompson (35 saves on 36 shots and his first NHL win)
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
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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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Rudy Garcia had this comment
Beating another team that was on a losing streak.. Ok
Rudy Garcia that’s exactly what I said. Here is the exact quote “The Sharks were on a 5-game losing streak and, like the Knights, had lost some confidence; at the same time,”
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher wrote this about LT
Thompson played outstanding, could have been a tied game easily
Drew Thrasher, LT is making a case for himself in case the VGK want to move Brossoit to clear cap space at the trade deadline.Logan makes 800K while Brossoit makes 2.325. That saves 1.525 million
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher replied to my comment on LT.
Joe Pane he’s still raw only like what 3-4 starts?
Drew Thrasher he has played a lot in the AHL and I believe was named AHL goaltender of the year.
Joe P.
Pat Micali replied
Joe Pane he played for the Silver Knights.
I’d trade Lehner
Pat Micali
Trading Lehner will be a huge hill to climb his 5-million-dollar salary will be a lot for another team to absorb unless they are moving a goaltender with a similar salary. Not to mention that Lehner hasn’t really done a lot to raise his trade value up this season.
Joe P.
Hey Joe.
I wish this game had ended after the first period. The Sharks were teethless and the VGK was lucky they had Thompson to stop the breakaways. Vegas seemed to have forgotten the breakaways in the last game. The blueliners were a bit flatfooted to say the least.
When Kolesar scores with a floppy wrister from the blueline, you know it`s going to be Vegas night.
Just before he scored Eva asked me about Reimer if he was any good.
I said he was really good or really bad. Last night he was the latter.
The goal Eichel scored was like we say in swedish soccer terms “a sock-roller” or “a snake-killer”. In golf terms it was a duff.
Patchy scored a “Patchy-goal”. Reimer wasn´t awake but it was a rocket of a shot.
After that Vegas played anti-hockey. What more can you say when professional players can`t recieve a pass in full stride without fumbling the puck to the nearest Sharks player.
In the last two periods Vegas didn`t play better than in the last few games. Against a better team than San Jose they would have been punished.
The Vegas players stated after the game that “They had played very well and it was a step forward”. It might work against Arizona but they have a back to back game against Colorado on Saturday. The Avs wont take the foot of the gas so if we don`t see another “Miracle On Ice” again there will be no time to restore the self-confidence in their game.
You`re right about missing Reavo. Even the commentators at the Rangers at Ottawa game said the same. If Reavo been on the ice at the end of the Sharks game no one on the Sharks team would have the guts to invite him to a fight.
Theodore was in the revenge mode after he was sent swimming before the Sharks lone goal.
He took a swing with his stick at the mouth on a Shark player and ended it up with a stick between the guys legs.
His frustration gave him two minutes in the SinBin and the coach a heartrate over the normal.
By the way, talking about the coach. At the time-out at the end of the game, Vegas players gathered around a coach, who I don`t recognice, and he showed them on the board how to play in the D-zone. At first there are players and arrows written all over the zone, then he draws a big X all over it. Not knowing what he said, that seems to be a bit confusing for the players.
Like: “At the faceoff you`re positioned like this, and if we win the faceoff you go there. Oh, hell with it, do whatever you want”
I know it can`t be like that but it was seen on TV!
My Knights of the game:
The Golden Knight: Jack Eichel, this is why he`s a VGK player. A goal and an assist!
The Silver Knight: Logan Thompson, a good righthanded catcher to confuse the opponents.
The Bronze Knight: Max Pacioretty, the sniper is back on track.
Hey Joe.
Thank`s for a great recap.
To make things even better, Boston beat Colorado 5 to 1. Bruins stood up for each other when the Avs lost it in both ways.
Watch and learn, Knights!
Richard Santomauro had this to say
VGK 4 – SJS 1
This is a game that we would expect VGK to win, and they did. The good news is that the lack of passion, intensity and the “desperation” as DeBoering stated was not at all evident in this game. Unlike the last 3 contests the VGK controlled the puck, made good passes and more importantly was first to the puck.
Eichel looks better and better each game, and his production tonight was exactly what we should expect from a 1C making $10,000,000. I expect great things from him going forward from this point. The real test will be next Saturday for him and the VGK.
Logan Thompson may be “green” but he looked fantastic tonight. I don’t see the same sort of flaws in his game that Lehner has (lack of mobility, inconsistent glove and 1-on-1 challenged). Given time, Logan Thompson could very well be a super star in this league. Sure, it’s his first win and it is way too early to make such statements about his career, but I will be watching to see how it develops.
Carrier continues to impress me. He’s tough and quick, great around the boards and cannot be knocked off the puck. He’s also good in a scrap as well. This guy is a keeper and a bargain for $1.4mil. I would like to see how he’d fit in on the 3rd line to see if he could rack up more goals and assists.
FINALLY – Kolesar finds net! He has a long long way to go before I am ready to be a fan. I expected bigger things from him when he first came up and to date, he’s disappointed. I still think there are options available on HSK who a better 4th line fit would be. I still find it incredible that he was up on the 1st line at all last year and earlier this year. That move was beyond comprehension. He’s a 4th liner, IF THAT. But, hey – get some assists, goals and give someone a beat down and change my mind. He’s what? 6-3 or 6-4 and 230 or 240 right? I think he was supposed to be a better version of Reaves and that has not been the case.
And finally – the team gets into a scrap! Love the gritty team response! Small fines all around!
So, who is in goal vs ARI and who will face COL on Saturday? Any news on Lehner? I hear he tore his labrum. I think you play the rook against Arizona on Friday and put the more seasoned Brossoit in against the Avalanche. Or maybe test Thompson against the Avs?
Convince me that this team is a playoff contender by winning the next two games. Arizona should be a lock. The big challenge will be Colorado.
Lynda Israel sent this comment in
I’m getting tired of all the whining about the team, with little proof of their complaints. I welcome your honest reviews. 🤠❤️🏒
Scott Amaral had this opinion
Yeah SJS are a $hit team, but a win is a win. Not only is it two points but it also gives them a boost of confidence. They’re supposed to win that game. Eichel has some nice puck handling skills, but the timing is still off. I expect him to get better with more games. LT looked good, but it’s one game so who knows.
Christopher Couch sent this comment in
Much better performance last night for sure. Jack Eichel looked like the best player on the ice. And it’s good to see the 4th line not look invisible even apart from Kolesars goal.
Bill Dickerson
Feel while they needed to win, the problem I have is that 2 of the goals were weak. Certainly, couldn’t lose this game, but I don’t think they are going far if they need those goals to get more than 1 vs a bad Sharks team.
Pat Hella wrote
WE DID IT
Damien Garrett had this to say
Good win for the boys. With Eichel getting his first goal as a Knight. Liked how Thompson played and what I saw. Good way to build for the future
Erik Dickerson wrote this
I don’t know, we won 4-1 but you can almost throw out 3 of those goals, the Kolesar and patches goals don’t go in against goalies on their game and without them you don’t get the empty netter. This doesn’t account for we own the sharks. Yes, we clearly were better than the sharks, but I don’t think it proves much.
John Dube sent this comment in
If putting LT in net was intended to toughen up our defense, I didn’t see it. LT had to play great against the breakaways and odd man rushes especial on the PK.
Mary Becker wrote
LT had a great game. My opinion we are in goalie trouble. We also need more work on our PP but we always have this game seemed one of our worst letting them have a number of shorthanded breakaways. What do we do from here? Play hockey like there is no tomorrow cause there almost isn’t according to the standings
Brian Mishefske had this to add to the conversation
Was nice to see a full 3 periods of hockey and we played much better defensively. You could see the huge weight lifted of Eichel when he scored and how happy the entire team was for him. Thompson looked very steady and was on his angles with good post to post movements. The only thing I didn’t like was the end, the game was over, and we allowed San Jose to upset the night. Great article Joe and have a great day my brother. Go Knights