The VGK had a golden opportunity in Edmonton to leapfrog over the L.A. Kings for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. They were coming off an impressive showing in their 6-1 win over Calgary in the Saddledome, a barn where they normally have trouble winning. The stage was set. The VGK had a 7-1-1 record in the last 9 games and a win or even a loss in overtime against Edmonton would assure them that their playoff destiny was completely in their hands. But a golden opportunity went to waste as Vegas, who had recently found their scoring touch with 16 goals in their last 3 games, could not find the back of the net against Mike Smith, who stopped all 39 shots sent his way. It was Mike Smith’s 2nd consecutive shutout in the 4-0 Edmonton win.
The power-play woes continue; Vegas couldn’t take advantage of 3 power play chances. To add some salt to the wound, the Edmonton Oilers scored a shorthanded goal on one of the VGK power plays. Edmonton took a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period and scored 2 goals on their first 3 shots of the period. Vegas was now chasing the game trailing 3-0.
When you see the final score of 4-0, you might draw the conclusion that Logan Thompson had a bad game. That was not the case. Turnovers led to 3 Edmonton goals. The first was scored by Kris Russell, who hadn’t scored a goal since March 17, 2019, 126 games ago. His goal turned out to be the GWG. The last goal that Kris scored back in 2019 was against the VGK. In his 907 NHL games, Kris has scored just 47 goals.
Pete DeBoer, who juggled his forwards in Calgary on Thursday night, started the game with the same line combinations as he had in Calgary. But by the start of the 3rd period, in his attempt to find some offense, he turned on the blender and had Eichel playing between Stone and Pacioretty, the first time these 3 played together in a 5-on-5 situation. He also reunited Marchessault with Karlsson. But nothing worked and Vegas was shut out in a game they really needed to win or at least get to overtime to pick up that one point that could make a difference.
The VGK now return to T-Mobile for the final 3 games of the season at home before closng out the season with 3 road games. They need to pick up at least 5 points in the home games if they have any intention of playing for the Stanley Cup. The post-game line we’ve heard from the players and DeBoer, “We need to just flush this game and move on to the next,” is no longer valid; no flushes are left in the toilet bowl. From now on, it’s play like it means something. If they don’t, the season will end with a lot of questions and uncertainty.
But with over 500 man games lost to injuries this year, astonishing to say the least, if they somehow find a way to be one of the 8 teams coming out of the Western Conference, it will be something close to a miracle and might be the story of the year for the NHL.
Other game notes and Quotes
Mike Smith’s first shutout of the season was a 4-0 victory at the Nashville Predators on Thursday; today’s made two in a row for the 40-year-old goaltender.
Logan Thompson made 32 saves for the Golden Knights (41-30-5), who have lost two of three (1-1-1).
Cody Ceci scored 35 seconds into the third period on a point shot through traffic to make it 2-0.
Warren Foegele made it 3-0 on a breakaway at 5:16 after a turnover by Alec Martinez at the Oilers blue line.
Next game is Monday vs. the NJ Devils at T-Mobile at 7 p.m. Pacific Time
Russell’s first goal since March 2019
The Edmonton goal off of the Martinez turnover at the blueline
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Marsha Blevins Thrash wrote this
Damn straight, we’re all out of flushes
Marsha Blevins Thrash it’s almost time to call the plumber.
Joe P.
Marsha Blevins Thrash added this to the conversation
Joe Pane Stat
Kevin Logan wrote
Sucky position to be in, Calgary game came easy due to the fact they are where they want to be and didn’t risk injuries?
Jore P
Marie Archuletta-Nabit added this to the current conversation
The fat lady is starting to sing😳
‘IT’S OVER!’
Marie Archuletta-Nabit I think I can hear her in the distance I hope she stops singing her voice is terrible. But then again so is the power-play 🙂
Joe P.
Six games to go. Three at home and three on the road. Down 3 points. Will need to win 5 out of 6 to have any realistic chance. 4/20 game versus Capitals will be key…must win. Lose the next two games – NJ & Caps and it’s over.
Sad but fingers crossed that it isn’t over! Thanks Joe Happy 🐣 Easter! 🏒🥅🧡🖤❤️🇨🇦#govegasgo#
Judy never give up hope they still have a shot. They may need the Easter bunny to deliver some rotten eggs into the LA Kings basket.
Happy Easter to you and your entire family.
Joe P.
Vickie Webb wrote this
I agree with you completely! It seems it’s very hard for them to string two good offensive games in a row, they don’t always lose but the second game is usually a struggle. LT can’t be blamed if the rest of the team doesn’t score.
Vickie
Yes, this pattern of one solid game followed by a stinker has to stop
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher sent his opinion in
They ran out of gas, 2-3 pp goals in that Vancouver series and we could have swept the Canucks. We’d be in the thick of it right now. Deboer needs to go, and they need to get someone in here who can jumpstart the offense. And screw Lawless, he’s not a coach of the year candidate, they had their chances
Drew
Because of the vast number of injuries DeBoer job remains safe. And I think Lawless is making a case for DeBoer in that what he has had to endure this season, yet he kept the team in the playoff hunt right till the last 6 games is a valid point. My only concern with PDB is his late adjustment to removing Spott from the PP.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher responded
Joe Pane, they haven’t done anything for the pp, they said da Dadanov was supposed to be the catalyst, but they still couldn’t get it going with all the pieces that had this even with the injuries, there’s no reason why they couldn’t have been averaging 3 a game, we still had the misfits for the most part and the top line played together for most of the season
Drew Thrasher the PP is the reason why they are where they are today on the brink of missing the playoffs.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher responded
Joe Pane yep same story from last year, that’s why it’s on the coach, they never fixed the problem
Brian Mishefske wrote this
Back to the Jekyll and Hyde team! 6 to go and 3 points behind the Kings! Time to find some anger and urgency DeBoer and staff. Happy Easter Joe
Brian
Yes the pattern of one game on one game off is growing old quickly. Their room for error is basically zero now. They need at least 5 points from these next 3 games at T-Mobile.
Happy Easter to you Brain
Joe P.
Brian Mishefske responded to my comment
Joe Pane indeed brother. Go Knights
Linda Ganz wrote this
I just ❤️this team and we were rooting them on. I’m sure the players feel the same as we do after that loss. Go knights go! Btw: i thought LT was great thought the team played well but could not execute when chances were given. During games like these, the Carrier, Reaves Nosek line and the Complete Misfit line would’ve helped gain momentum.
Linda Ganz 100% on the MEAT GRINDER line, and you now see what Reilly Smith brings to the table especially on the PK.
Joe P.
Johnny Lawless wrote this
It is very possible LA wins all of their last 5 games. It is hard to picture the VGK winning more than 3 of their last 6. But I’ll be here cheering for something good to happen. But getting to the playoffs seems futile at this point and is likely to be a pyrrhic victory if then swept aside by a clearly better playoff team.
Johnny
I hope you are wrong, because I can see VGK winning at least 5 of their remaining 6 games. But I have been known for positive thinking 🙂
Joe P.
Bill Dickerson wrote this
With kings and stars winning last night it has gotten late quick. It is going to take 5-1 to get in and that may not be enough as kings schedule is weak and 3–1-1 would be an incredible finish for them for the knights to be honest
Bill if they indeed go 5-1, I think they actually make the cut.
Joe P
Kobe Hollenbeck added these comments.
I agree missed opportunity, they’ve dug themselves in quite a hole, yes injuries have not helped them, but the team is just struggling with chemistry, getting anything working…this season has been very weird, they’re hot one game and then cold the next…I would personally be okay if this is the year that the Golden Knights miss the playoffs, I mean it has to happen at some point…give the guys a break in the offseason and regroup, and management can either leave or change their ways…However I really do hope they make the playoffs though, they should get another shot, but again they have not helped themselves lately…and I will end with this…next season Thompson should be our next starter, he has earned it
Kobe Hollenbeck
LT for sure has earned at least the backup position for next season for sure.
Joe P.
Scottie Maiello had this comment that was short, but he has a point
I believe
Scottie Maiello as you should. I’m with you on this. The talent on this team has to show up because it’s officially “CRUNCH TIME”
Joe P.
Jacqueline Claire commented on me not having the 3 stars of the game
Uh-oh…no Stars again. 😢
Jacqueline Claire, do you think you could find one? I couldn’t.
Joe P.
Timothy Harris asked this question of me
just curious… if the Knights and the Kings end in a tie… what is the tiebreaker?
Timothy Harris regular season wins
Joe P.
Timothy Harris responded
Joe Pane oh ok. thanks Joe: and I am guessing that if we are tied with WINS, then it goes to losses and OT losses
Timothy here is how they will eventually break a tie
If teams share the same number of points and wins (i.e., regulation + overtime wins, excluding shootout wins), then the club with more points in their head-to-head season series prevails. If an odd number of games occurred between the teams, points collected in the first game in the city hosting an extra match will be discounted in the math.
If teams remain tied after calculating points, wins (i.e., regulation + overtime wins, excluding shootout wins), and their head-to-head season series, then the team with the greatest positive difference between goals scored (GF) and goals allowed (GA) gets the nod.
In the unlikely event two teams remain tied in all of these categories at the end of the regular season, a tiebreaker game will be played. Home ice will be determined by a draw and playoff overtime rules will be in effect (i.e., 5-on-5, sudden death, 20-minute periods).
Points, ROW, head-to-head season series, GF minus GA, tiebreaker game.
.
Timothy Harris as you can see, they pretty much have every scenario covered to break a tie.
Joe P.
How about trying something different with the power play..Set up a right hander on the left hand face off dot who knows how to shoot one timers..Like the Rangers do with Zibanejad, like the Lightning does with Stamkos and the Caps do with Ovechkin..The best candidates for that would be either Eichel or Marchy..Then set up a big guy in front of the goaltender who can deflect pucks and is not afraid to get hit with a shot sometimes..Like Kreider with the Rangers or Pavelski with Dallas..Kreider has 25 PP goals this year doing that and Pavelski has 25 over the last two years..When Vegas gets a guy near the net on the PP he stands off to the side..You have to get in front to interfere with the goalie’s vision and try to deflect an occasional puck..And it also ties up a defenseman..And that defensman also screens the goalie..