We’ve all been there, men and women alike, jilted by lovers who feel they no longer need or want you around. It’s painful when this happens, of course. But then there always seems to come a time when you run into your ex, who can’t hide the disbelief that you’ve moved on and are feeling fine and looking good. You can see it in his or her eyes: “Damn, what was I thinking when I let you go?” And, “I never thought you’d be able to live without me.”
Well, last night William Karlsson met up with his ex, the Columbus Blue Jackets. They thought they could live without him. But Karlsson made them see red—the red light behind the net that comes on to signal a goal was scored. Indeed, Columbus could have gotten a Golden tan with all the red lights going off, six different times. Last night, the VGK lit the lamp.
But the two red lights that hurt the most were the ones when William Karlsson scored. He could have easily had a hat trick and possibly even four goals as he seemed to have an incredible jump in his legs. Seeing his ex and wanting to prove that breaking off the relationship was a mistake is exactly what Karlsson accomplished. Scoring multiple goals in a game is every players dream, but scoring two against your former team is a night you’ll never forget.
And here he is, on video.
This game was also interesting in the fact that in the first period, it seemed Columbus was just as fast as the Knights. What I didn’t realize was that Vegas wasn’t as fast as they normally are, especially in the beginning of the games at T-Mobile. The first game home from a road trip, especially one from the east coast and three time zones away, can be troublesome for most teams. VGK had a first period that could have been better and they were lucky to survive it tied at 1-1.
However, after the first 20 minutes, when the VGK had the chance to regroup and get their legs under them it was no longer a contest. The speed that looked even in the first was just an illusion. In fact, last night’s second period might have been the best period VGK have played the entire season. Their speed was taken to an entire different level. Wave after wave of offensive attacks were cast upon Columbus. They looked shocked at the speed of the Knights and who could blame them? They’d just assumed what they observed in the first period would be what they needed to contend with.
The VGK had 20 shots at Sergei Bobrovsky in the second period alone. Columbus actually scored first in the second to take a 2-to-1 lead, but then Vegas dominated the rest of the second period and for the most part the rest of the game. Columbus did push back in the third period, but it was too little too late as Vegas recorded their league-leading 19th win, out of 23 games, on home ice.
Fleury, who has been outstanding as of late, gave up three goals for the first time in more than a month. Prior to last night’s three goals, he’d given up only six goals in his previous four games, He saved 24 of the 27 shots he faced in recording his team-leading 12th win so far this season
There may be some good news concerning the VGK power play, as they’ve now scored four power-play goals in the last two games. Granted, their last power-play goal was scored into an open net as Columbus pulled their goaltender, even though they were killing a penalty late in the third period.
Not to be missed was that Brad Hunt had an outstanding game, scoring his first goal of the season and picking up two assists. Brad Hunt’s goal also marks that now every VGK on the roster has scored at least one goal, except for newly acquired Ryan Carpentar, who was claimed off of waivers from San Jose on December 13. He’s only played in four games for the Knights.
Here’s Brad Hunt.
With last night’s win, Vegas remains the number-one team overall in the NHL, with a record of 32-11-4 for 68 points. This win pushes their home record to 19-2-2. They’ve earned 40 out of a possible 46 points at T-Mobile. They’re establishing expansion-team records that might never be broken.
And here’s Coach Gallant, answering a question of mine about the game in the post-game press conference.
Last night’s goal scorers for the VGK: William Karlsson (26, 27 and leading scorer on the team), James Neal (22), Erik Haula (16) PPG with 1 assist, Brad Hunt (1) PPG with 2 assist, Colin Miller (7).
The VGK are back on the ice to complete this two-game home stand on Thursday night vs. the NY Islanders 7 p.m. T-Mobile.
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