VGK Coach Gallant wants his players to say “NO” to any talk about the playoffs. He insists that they look ahead and prepare for only their next game. But it’s his players who must follow this order.
We, on the other hand, aren’t bound by this team edict. How can we not talk, think, and dream about the first-ever playoff series for the VGK in their first-ever season when when we KNOW?
We KNOW that, other than a complete collapse, this team is destined to be one of the final eight teams from the Western Conference to play for the right to hoist the cup. The VGK were considered the longest shot in the field of 31 teams when the odds makers released their predictions in September. Now they’re one of four teams that sit on top of the list of 31 to win the cup. Crazy stuff? Sure, but isn’t that what Las Vegas is KNOWN for?
Our Knights aren’t only the number-one team in the Western Conference, they’re also the number-two team overall in the entire league. They also seem to break and set new NHL records almost every game. They’ve even now tied a record among all the major sports by winning eight games in a row in their first year. That record was held solely by the 1976-1977 Denver Nuggets of the NBA. Ho hum—that was a mere 40-year-old record. They’re already accustomed to breaking records that have stood for 90 to 100 years in the NHL.
I knew when I moved here in 1999 that I was leaving a city that never sleeps (NY City) to a city that can make or break dreams in a New York minute. The VGK are making my dream come true, as well as the dream of every hockey fan who moved here. They’re also crushing the dreams of opposing teams, who are now avoiding staying on the Strip to avoid all the distractions. The Toronto Maple Leafs stayed all the way out in Summerlin, thinking that would help their players not to lose focus. Wrong.
The Maple Leafs didn’t lose focus; they just lost to a better team, just like Nashville did last night.
The VGK aren’t only in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. They’ve also accumulated points in 13 straight games, with a record of 12-0-1. They own the best home record in the entire NHL at 17-2-1. They lead the entire NHL in takeaways, averaging 11.9 per game. Last night they recorded 22. They also have the second-best goal differential with a +29, tied with the L.A. Kings (Tampa Bay leads the league with a +53, while Arizona is last with a -52).
The VGK haven’t lost in regulation since Dec. 1 and in this 12-0-1 run, they’ve beaten playoff-potential teams: five-time Western Conference Champions Anaheim twice; 2017 Stanley Cup Finalist Nashville twice; back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions (2016-2017) Pittsburgh; the number-one team overall this season and the favorite to win this year’s Cup Tampa Bay; back-to-back President Trophy winners (2016-2017) Washington Capitals; winners of 2 recent Stanley Cup L.A. Kings; and another pre-season Cup favorite Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last night Marc-Andre Fleury, the 1A goalie, played for the VGK and play he did. He faced only four shots in the first period, but every one was a quality scoring chance. He stopped all 29 shots he faced. He recorded his second shutout in his last three starts. He’s 5-0-1since returning from his injury and his overall record as a VGK is 8-1-1. He hasn’t lost in regulation since Oct. 13.
VGK once again jumped out to a 2-0 lead and with last night’s win they’re 10-0 when that happens. They’re also 17-1 when scoring first and 15-2 when entering the third period with the lead.
Nashville mustered only four shots in the first period and was held without a shot on net in the final 7-1/2 minutes. They regrouped and came out flying for the second, with 10 shots on Fleury in the first eight minutes. The VGK didn’t register a shot on net during that span. But all that was wasted when the VGK scored two goals within 1:31 in the second to completely shift whatever momentum Nashville had built up.
A lot of the steam was also taking out of Nashville by Brayden McNabb, who was a wrecking ball on the ice, crushing Nashville players who dared to attempt to carry the puck across the blue line on their sticks. McNabb is the only player in the NHL who has combined for 90+ hits, 90+ blocked shots, and a +10 rating.
Fighting is an element to the physicality of the game, but you can accomplish the same effect without having to go to the penalty box for five minutes. McNabb has proven that so far this year.
The VGK have an impressive run of killing off 13 power-play chances from the opposition, but last night’s 14th penalty kill was a game-saver. With 4:20 left in the game and Nashville on the power play, they pulled their goaltender, giving them a 6-on-4 advantage. Fleury stood tall and stopped everything that was thrown, shot, and kicked at him. His brilliant performance last night just makes Coach Gallant goaltending choices that much more difficult. But with back-to-back games coming up Thursday and Friday against St. Louis and Chicago, expect to see Subban on Thursday and Fleury on Friday. But how do you sit Fleury after he hangs a shutout on Nashville?
The VGK finally scored a power-play goal by Reilly Smith (10) and it was a big one, as it was the first score of the game and it stemmed the tide as Nashville was carrying the play prior to Smith’s goal. That snapped their 0-12 record on power-play attempts.
Shea Theodore (4) added the second VGK goal 1:31 seconds later.
With the Nashville goalie pulled, Jonathan Marchessault scored his goal into an empty net for his 15th of the season and continued his goal streak to three goals in three games and his seven-game point streak that has five goals and six assists attached to it.
A great start to 2018. The next two games are on the road against formidable opponents in St. Louis and Chicago. But this will be a good test for a team who will need to win on the road come playoff time.
Oops! I mentioned the playoffs, didn’t I? Oh but wait. I’m allowed. I’m not one of the VGK skaters,
Next game Thursday January 4 vs. St. Louis at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
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