Asking you to remember where you were 29 months ago is a tall order. But here’s a hint: The coach of the San Jose Sharks on that day was Pete DeBoer and the Sharks beat the VGK 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Logan Couture. That was the last time San Jose beat the VGK, who since then won 11 straight games against the Sharks and had an astonishing record of 18-1-3 against them in their franchise history entering last night’s must-win game at T-Mobile, which they lost 5-4 in a shootout.
But you all know where you were last night when you witnessed the end of the VGK playoff hopes. Maybe you were one of the 18,367 at T-Mobile last night for the last home game that the VGK will play in the 2021-22 season. It’s been that kind of a season. Maybe you were home watching on TV, knowing that the VGK had their playoff chances squarely in their own hands. Take care of the San Jose Sharks, then head to Dallas to face the team they trail for the last remaining playoff spot in the Western Conference. The stage was set. The VGK led by 4-2 as the clock was winding down setting the stage for a pivotal game against the Stars.
James Reimer, the Sharks goaltender, headed to the bench to give San Jose the 6-on-5 advantage. Literally seconds after Reimer got to the bench, Nick Bonino scored his 2nd goal of the game to trim the VGK lead to 4-3. Bonino’s first goal came with 1:05 left in the 2nd period to trim the VGK lead to 3-2. Nicolas Roy reestablished the 2-goal lead with his goal 6:35 into the 3rd period. The return of William Carrier to the lineup allowed DeBoer to put together a 4th line of Carrier and Kolesar, centered by Roy. That line was excellent all night, despite Kolesar leaving the game late in the 2nd period and never returning. It was William Carrier’s first game since March 26 and he had one heck of a night, scoring his important goal and being a force all over the ice ,establishing a forecheck that has not been present a lot this season. He engaged Sharks’ defenseman Brent Burns early and often with his tenacity. Carrier had the least amount of time (12:13) of all forwards that played the entire game, but he made his presence known when he was on the ice with 3 SOG, 3 hits, 2 takeaways, and a goal. He also tied his NHL career high in points (19) and goals (8).
Unfortunately, the game is 60 minutes long and Vegas took their foot that they had squarely on the necks of the San Jose Sharks off for a few seconds and it cost them. Bonino’s goal with Reimer on the bench and Timo Meier’s goal with .9 seconds left in the game sent the teams into overtime and the disaster that was about to happen. Or could it be averted? The VGK were awarded a power play with less than 2 minutes to go in overtime. Of course, the power play has been the biggest disappointment for the entire season an there was no PPG. There wasn’t even an empty-net goal when Mark Stone missed a wide-open net. The VGK failed to kill the remaining few seconds by just keeping the puck along the wall as the game clock wound down.
All of the above sent the game into a shootout that saw Nicolas Roy, Jack Eichel, and Shea Theodore fail to get a puck past Reimer in the shootout. Logan Thompson, who was excellent in the net despite giving up 4 goals, stopped Logan Couture and Timo Meier on the first 2 shootout attempts. But Thomas Bordeleau, who was playing in only his 5th NHL game and had never had a shootout opportunity prior to last night, he made the most of it, beating Logan Thompson on what seemed like multiple moves in slow motion. It actually appeared that he stopped his forward motion, which would have nullified his goal, but the referee let the goal stand and the VGK playoff hopes disappeared as Logan Thompson laid on the ice face first in a heartbreaking moment, not only for Logan, but for the entire team and the VGK fan base who had high hopes for a promising season that is now about to end.
Mathematically, they’re not eliminated, but when you lose to the NJ Devils, the San Jose Sharks, and the Philadelphia Flyers in critical games late in the season, you have no one else to blame, not even your depleted lineup.
Other game notes and Quotes
“Definitely a tough pill to swallow,” Mark Stone said. “We have to win Tuesday at the Stars. If we win the next game, you never know what could happen. You can get some help. We’ve gotten some along the way. We’re still in it. You have to think that way. We have to win a big game on Tuesday to keep our chances alive.”
“I really like the feel of the fourth line,” DeBoer said. “I love what they brought. Their physicality and how they got on the forecheck. It was a glimpse of what we were waiting for.”
Thomas Bordeleau on his shootout goal: “I’m just comfortable with [the move]. I’ve been doing it a lot. Only goalie that can stop it in the past couple of years was [Michigan goalie Erik] Portillo. So I just tried it out, and it worked.”
Yes, I can find 3 VGK stars of the game despite the outcome: William Carrier (1G, 3 SOG, 3 hits), Nicolas Roy (1G, 1A), Shea Theodore (2A)
Next game is tomorrow vs. Dallas Stars at 5:30 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
For more VGK content, check out the Hockey Knights in Vegas Podcast that can be found at this link or on my Facebook page.
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.
Bonino’s goal with 2:06 left in the game
Timo Meier goal with .9 seconds left
The GWG in the shootout
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Drew Thrasher sent this comment in
Nailed it, losing to njd, sjs and phi, Deboer will be lucky to still have a job
Drew Thrasher last night’s loss wasn’t the real problem it just was a continuance of the existing problem. Failing to rise to the occasion.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher responded
Joe Pane yep, this many problems is usually the coach. I’d image he’ll be fired if they lose to Dallas
Charlie Anzalone responded to Drew suggestion that DeBoer should be fired if he loses in Dallas on Tuesday
Deboer was stuck with older injured players with huge contracts that can’t be moved, it’s the gm, letting flower Tuch Suzuki and others go, to pay older players to try to BUY A CUP, other teams used to fear playing in the fortress, those days are gone.
It will take 2 years till we can shed some of our walking wounded $$$$$$$$$$$$_
Drew Thrasher responded to Charlie opinion
Charlie Anzalone the same team last year went to the semi finals
Charlie Anzalone answered back
Drew Thrasher older and too many injuries and won’t get better next year
Drew Thrasher wrote back
Charlie Anzalone let them get healthy and rested for next year will be fine
Charlie Anzalone added this
Drew Thrasher, they need a goalie, but cap has their hands tied
We as fans would be lucky if he didn’t have a job.
Douglas not sure you are going to get your wish. I believe the depleted line up saves DeBoer’s job this season.
Joe P.
Nick Steffen sent this opinion in
Last night’s game was heartbreaking, but the Knights didn’t find themselves in this position by losing one game. I remember back in October they lost four games in a row. The Facebook comments then were to the effect that it was early in the season and there was plenty of time left and not to worry. While that was true it is also true that games in October still count two points for a win same as the rest of the season. It would be nice to have even a portion of those 8 points now. It looks like that four-game losing streak was a foreshadowing of the rest of the season. Thank you for your insightful comments this past season I have enjoyed reading them.
Nick so true there are multiple games that we could go look back on those 2 valuable points that were blown. Early or late in the season as you have said are still 2 points.
Sad to see the season end with such disappointment.
Joe P.
Jack Logansmith, had this to say
It’s not over quite yet. It feels it, but it isn’t over quite yet.
Jack mathematically you are correct, but you can see it in the players body language and eyes last night they are DONE. I hope I’m wrong because there is nothing like playoff hockey and I will miss not being there in person to watch it.
Joe P
Marianne Coninx asked this question of me
Who do think goes in off season? I think Lehner is gone. His relationship with VGK is toxic on all ends. I think all this goalie drama crap also affected the team.
Marianne
Great question and one that is burning a hole in everyone’s mind here in Las Vegas. This is just a guess as this organization reveals nothing in the continuous path of horrible public relations, and misinformation. I believe if they can find someone to take Robin off of their hands and his 5-million-dollar salary they would do it. They have Reilly Smith to re-sign they have Nicolas Roy who is due a new contract and they still have their cap issues and with the cap only going up 1 million next season they players you saw last night will not all be returning that I’m 100 % sure of.
My guess is Lehner is a goner, Janmark is gone and Dadonov is also gone. Dadonov based upon his performances since the trade snafu will get the most in return Janmark not so much and Robin Lehner is more of a salary and drama DUMP
Joe P.
Marianne Coninx responded to my comments
Joe Pane yea they are going to have to sweeten the pot for Lehner. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lehner asks for a trade if all the noise is true. They call Eichel a locker room cancer I’m wondering how the team’s relationship with Lehner is 🤔🤔.
I agree Janmark gone, really didn’t live up to much this season. I would hate to see Dadanov go but they want to re sign smith. Roy is going to want a raise. I think Brossoit maybe gone to with LT showing he can be a solid back up. It should be interesting to say the least
Marianne Coninx It will be a very interesting off season, specifically to see if anyone loses their job.
Joe P.
Ed Williams responded to Marianne
Marianne Coninx That’s just an excuse. Losing to lower tier teams is what hurt this team. They play down to their competition.
Marianne Coninx responded to Ed
Ed Williams I’m not making excuses. You’re 100% right. They always take lesser teams for granted. That’s why when I saw all these posts yesterday about it should be an easy win, I was like umm you do remember Arizona loss and New Jersey loss. What I’m saying is the goalie drama (being you don’t know how Lehner was, or management was behind closed doors) didn’t help
Marianne Coninx added this comment about moves in the off season
Joe Pane, I mixed about Deboer. I think he was doing what a McCrimmon told him to do but he will be the fall guy none the less. I think he makes it through off season but if he doesn’t show promise within first couple of months next season he will be gone.
Marianne Coninx responded and added additional opinions
Stone has been nonexistent all season. I still don’t think he 100% in the least. Patches I’m over him being injured so much every season. He is great when he is on but that is fewer and more far between. The drama should be out of their heads when the puck drop doesn’t mean it does. I’m not blaming the season on that. Just that I think it had a part. They took weak teams for granted because that’s what VGK does, and those losses are biting them is the ass now
Marianne Coninx, they have chunks of their ass missing from bottom feeding teams. This is why they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
Joe P.
Marianne Coninx responded to my statement that this team as it is does not deserve to be in the playoffs.
Joe Pane 100%
Bill Dickerson had this opinion
I think this game was a sad indication of our season. They start to give you hope, only for it to crash down so quickly, just a trainwreck to basically end a trainwreck of a season.
Bill Dickerson a trainwreck is being kind.
Joe P.
Bill Dickerson
Joe Pane, I know there still is technically a chance, but if they can’t beat the devils and sharks at home when needed, who honestly believe they will sweep Dallas, Chicago and blues on the road. Between the off ice stuff and then the on ice product, foley has some hard decisions this off-season as the inaugural season seems like a distant memory. I don’t even think you can use the distractions as an excuse cause they were winning by 2 with 2 minutes left.
Bill
Excellent point nothing about injuries can be attributed to them blowing a 2-goal lead with just 2;06 left in the game. They don’t deserve to be in the playoffs CASE CLOSED.
Joe P.
Bill Dickerson
Joe Pane yeah, they controlled their own destiny with a roster active to the cap and a 2 goal against a bad team and found a way to lose. No excuses, this team should not be in the playoffs. My guess is they lose Tuesday, and it is officially over.
Bill Dickerson Unfortunately you may be right.
Joe P.
Typical goals against..Three of the goals were from within 10 feet of the net..The third goal was a weak one by Thompson..The defense has to clear out the front..Hit people or tie them up..
Ed
Zero puck management especially in the final moments of regulation.
Joe P.
Kristi Scott Smith sent this opinion in
All season we have won games I thought we would never win (CGY,Washington) and lost games I thought we would win ARI, PHI (twice) and the dagger NJD. The 5-game road trip definitely killed us slowly. But I think the season killer was the return of a former goalie to the fortress. We have played the same since
Bill Dickerson is trying to torture me with this idea
Joe Pane, they could always make it more interesting and beat Dallas to give hope then blow the Chicago game.
Bill Dickerson, you like to torture me don’t you 🙂
Joe P.
After the 3rd Sharks goal, where was the timeout? Better yet, with about 3 minutes left where was the shift in game strategy to burn clock? There was ample time during this period for DeBoer to adjust the game plan to burn clock. He didn’t do it. Here’s a painful summary of the final 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
With 3:30 left in the 3rd period the VGK is up 4-2 and Thompson just made “the save of the game”.
At 2:53 Amadio takes the puck into the offensive zone and instead of taking the puck to the back of the net he throws a shot on goal (or tries to feed it across to the front of the goal) from a poor angle. It’s stopped and the Sharks take control of the puck the other way. The score is still 4-2 and this was the first lost opportunity to burn more clock. Why not skate the puck to the back of the net and hold it?
Reimer goes to the bench at about 2:10 remaining in the 3rd period with VGK still up 4-2.
Bonino scores the 3rd goal at 2:06. Clearing attempt by Whitecloud intercepted by Bonino right before the shot. Whitecloud had clear control of the puck with no one on him. Why not skate with it? Why not toss it out to the red line? Whitecloud actually had 2 chances to clear the puck down the ice. The first time at about 2:12 is intercepted at mid-ice and sent back in. It’s Whitecloud’s second attempt to clear that Bonino scores on.
At 2:00 the faceoff is won and sent into the Sharks zone by McNabb, Reimer is back in net. Offsides VGK.
1:40 remaining. Faceoff won by VGK again and flipped to the backboards by Karlsson, Reimer is net. Sharks gain control and flip it out, hand pass by the Sharks stops play.
1:40 Faceoff in the VGK zone, Eichel line is on the ice with McNabb & Petro (D). Puck is flipped out to the Sharks zone, Patches chasing. Patches almost steals at 1:27 but Sharks regain control and head up the ice.
1:20 puck is lifted into the VGK zone behind the goal.
1:10 Logan makes a great save, puck is pushed out to the blue line to the right of Logan at the Boards. Patches is there defending. Couture sends it around the boards but it goes out of the zone to Burns at the red line, Stone chasing.
56.5 McNabb has a pass bounce off his stick and Sharks get a shot on goal, save Thompson.
51.8 Burns shot from the left by Burns sent wide to the right of Thompson.
47.4 Karlsson steers the puck out of the zone to Stone who hits the right post. With Stone lying on the puck the refs blow the play dead at 40.1. Had he kept his feet, possibly could have burned more clock here. Stone clearly says “Fuck me”.
40.1 Face off in Sharks Zone. Eichel wins the draw. Instead of controlling the puck Petro takes a long shot on goal from the blue line! Puck is lofted to the VGK end where Petro is in control of the puck with 31.3 seconds left.
31.3 puck is deep in the Sharks zone The last 30 seconds is all Sharks, shots being made from all over the ice.
I think you can point to poor clearing attempts by WhiteCloud, bad luck for Stone, maybe Stone not lying on the puck stopping the clock and the poor decision by Petro to take a blue line shot on goal at 40.1 instead of trying to burn clock for this disaster.
Thanks for your excellent perspective. Enjoy reading after every game. Nothing to add to all the above comments. There must be a lot of distractions in the locker room. Since October they have been missing their special connection. At this point, I won’t miss anyone if they want to re-tool.OK maybe the defensemen but not one forward.
See you next year!
Thank you, Marcy, for your continued support of my work. Games like last night are difficult to write because I want to be honest as to what I see and share with all who read this. But knowing that almost 100% of my readers are VGK fans it not easy being critical of their play without turning off the readers who may watch with rose colored glasses. I know that for many years as a NY Ranger fan there were lean years and playoff failures that sometimes were hard to replay in my mind and read about the next day after watching the game either at MSG or on the TV when they were on the road. I hope my honest opinions are seen as just that and not as someone who doesn’t want to see the team reach its potential. This season has been trying for me as the amount of information the team supplies us with is sparse and secretive. Hard to answer readers’ questions when you have little or no info on injuries and status of returning players.
Joe P.
Richie-Rich
It was painful to watch last night as there were so many chances to burn the clock against a team with one mission in mind, tie the game up and get it into overtime. Truth be told it’s even more painful reading your detailed description of the final nail in the VGK coffin.
The no time out call against the Sharks in game 7 in 2019 and this no timeout call may be the 2 biggest SNAFU of this franchise’s history
Joe P.
John Edmond said he did remember
Yup, I remember who was in net too.
John Edmond whoever it was played pretty well the final score was 2-1. 🙂
Joe P.
Great article as usual!! Still 3 games left!! I refuse to give up!!🏒🥅🤞🏾🖤🧡🇨🇦🥇#goKnightgo#🙏🙏🙏
Larry Smithson sent this opinion in
Management’s fault traded away our core player & prospects
Mark Durant sent this comment in
1. It was 9/10ths of a second (0.9) not 9/100ths; 2. Thompson was good, but not excellent. He had 3, maybe 4 excellent saves. But 25 saves on 29 shots (.862 save %)? No.
Steve Novell asked this of Mark
Mark Durant how is .862 good?
Mark Durant responded
Steve Novell it’s not … that’s my point.
Steve Novell answered back
You said he was “good, not excellent”
Jeremy Daniel wrote
No Revo
More injuries. Kolessar is not Reaves but does drop them.
We need Reaves back, police the ice for our stars.
Injuries is likely the #1 reason why the Golden Knights are going to miss the playoffs, but let’s also look at the roster moves. You simply cannot have a 75% turnover in roster in a few years and expect to maintain chemistry. Making matters worse is that the players traded were the foundation of the team’s attitude and toughness on the ice. This current version hasn’t had time to build an attitude and you can definitely see teams taking advantage of the absence of Ryan Reaves whose presence has not been replaced.
Lehner’s contract is $5 million for the next 3 years. I predicted he would be a bust and by mid-January I was convinced of it. He posted a subpar .900 GAA (about .870 depending on the games you select) between 1 December and 15 January.
GMKM have ripped the fun out of this team. Every game is a nail biter unlike the first and even second editions of the VGK that played with intensity and all out offense to tilt the ice in their favor. This edition is, can I say Boering? Inconsistent, lethargic at times, and a team that has failed to put in a full 60 minute game this season.
There are positives and players that I still love. Marchy and Carrier play 60 minutes every night with passion. Logan Thompson has a bright future. I still like the 4th line of Kolesar, Carrier and Roy, but would like to see Kolesar start piling up some goals and assists. McNabb is a solid defender, not a superstar but blocks a ton of shots. Martinez is top notch given his age.
Players who I see as inconsistent or underperforming this year; Eichel, Stone, Pacioretty, Dadanov, Karlsson, Smith, Lehner, Roy, Kolesar, Janmark.
Up and coming: Isaah Saville is going to be a future NHL star in my opinion. Rondjberg, Lechyshyn, Pachal, Korczak, Hayes, Quinney, Brisson, and a few others are looking like they will contribute at the NHL level. Loewen is massive and wouldn’t he be great if he could pick up his game (definitely a potential Reaves 2.0). The Silver Knights have quite a few more players than I have listed above. They’re deep, which is promising considering the FO has sold off most of our picks.