Among the Golden Knights, there seemed to be a case of food coma last night—from the huge meals that have become an unhealthy tradition this time of year. At least during the first period, anyway, which are usually strong for the VGK, catching most teams by surprise.
In the first 20 minutes of last night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Knights looked sluggish and dominated, and if it hadn’t been for Malcolm Subban, this game could have gotten ugly real quick.
In fact, the very shot of the game by the Ducks scored, after Erik Haula was stripped of the puck to the left of Subban by Anaheim forward Jacob Silfverberg, who passed the puck out to Richard Rakell in front of the net. Rakell beat Subban, surprised and unprepared for the giveaway to his left.
But the VGK food coma didn’t last the entire first period. With two minutes and 10 seconds left, former Duck Shea Theodore ripped a shot over Anaheim goaltender John Gibson’s right shoulder. That was the last time the Ducks led. The VGK scored the next four goals, dominating the rest of the game, sealing the win, and giving the VGK a record of 24-9-2.
The VGK set yet another 100-year-old NHL record before last night’s game by becoming the fastest expansion team to win 24 games. Here are the records for the previous expansion teams in their first 34 games;
Philadelphia Flyers, 1967-1968: 17-12-5 (57.4 %)
L.A. Kings, 1967-1968: 16-15-3 (51.5 %)
Florida Panthers, 1993-1994: 14-15-5 (48.5%)
Quebec 1979-1980 14-15-5 (48.5%)
And here’s our wonder team!
Vegas Golden Knights, 2017-2018: 23-9-2 (70.6%)
Last night’s win continues to make this record even harder to top. Vegas is now 10-1 in divisional games and they’re averaging 3.70 goals per divisional game earning the critical four points. By comparison, five-time Pacific Conference champions Anaheim are 3-3-4 in their divisional games so far this year.
The VGK’s penalty-killing unit has killed off the last eight power plays they’ve defended: 4 for 4 vs. Washington and the last two power-play chances in that amazing win over Tampa Bay, which scored their first two goals on power plays. Last night, they shut down both the Ducks’ power plays.
Last night’s win also made the Knights 9-1-1 in December; their last loss was on Dec. 1 vs. the Winnipeg Jets. In addition, they’re now the first team in the entire Pacific Conference to reach 50 points. The VGK are tied with Tampa Bay to lead the NHL with 15 home wins.
Cody Eakin recorded his fifth goal of the season; in the last 60 games he played with the Dallas Stars, Eakin scored a total of three goals. This is just one of the many examples of how the VGK playing as a team, buying into Coach Gallant’s system; it’s how they can compete every night against any team in the league.
Another example of a player discarded by a former team who’s playing at a much higher level is Erik Haula. In his 10 games in Dec. 2017, he has six goals, five assists for 11 points, and a +3 rating. In his last four years in the NHL, in 39 games in Dec., he had four goals, five assists for nine points, and a +3 rating.
VGK scorers last night: Shea Theodore, Cody Eakin, William Karlsson, and David Perron.
Malcolm Subban made 27 saves and recorded his ninth win in 12 starts.
Folks, this is real. This team is on a mission. They’re taking no prisoners and are are closing out 2017 strong. Get your butts over to T-Mobile as history is unfolding right before your eyes under the famous neon light of Las Vegas. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. It’s hard not to when you’re a Vegas Golden Knights fan. Don’t miss the train; it’s leaving with or without you.
Their next game is tonight vs. the second place L.A. Kings. Expect Marc Andre Fleury in the nets in this next critical four-point divisional game.
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