If you’re a VGK fan, this seems like the season that Murphy’s Law was written for. In Murphy’s law, if there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Well, anything and everything that could have gone wrong this season has gone wrong or so it seems.
In last night’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the VGK fell behind 2-0 before goals by Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo 4 minutes apart tied the score at 2-2 8:19 into the 2nd period. But that’s all they could muster and VGK lost another game that they couldn’t afford to lose.
The VGK have scored just 4 goals in this current 3-game losing streak. To make matters worse, the power play is nonexistent, with 4 PPG in their last 50 chances, an embarrassing 8%.
The VGK are currently involved in playoff-like games every night; that’s how tentative their position is currently in the Pacific Division. They cling to the last playoff spot with (60 games played and 68 points). Edmonton (58 games, 66 points) and Vancouver (59 games, 65 points) are right on their heels.
And the 2 wild-card spots that will round out the 8 teams from the West are currently owned by Nashville (57 games, 70 points) and Dallas (56 games, 67 points). This is where the first of their many problems lie.
If they lose their current position of 3rd in the Pacific, the last automatic spot into the playoffs, they’ll fall behind Nashville, with has more points and 3 games in hand, and Dallas, with 4 games in hand and trail VGK by 1 point. So the 2 wild-card playoff spots may not even be a viable option for them.
This should be a concern to the players, the coaching staff, and everyone. So why does it appear that there’s no sense of urgency? There’s no passion on the ice. No changes to the ailing power play. No spark from the coaching staff. Something is amiss with this team and it’s painful to watch for the VGK fans who had high hopes in the beginning of October, long before Jack Eichel was added to the roster. According to many hockey pundits, the VGK were good enough to return to the Western Conference Final, like they’ve done 3 of their first 4 seasons.
But let’s be honest here. In its current state, this team is on the verge of taking itself out of the running for the playoffs, let alone
win the Stanley Cup.
In its aggressive attempt to win the Stanley Cup now, the front office has gutted this team, having removed its heart and soul that galvanized an entire city in the 2017-18 season. That was a team with no superstars (well, maybe one, #29), just 25 guys pulling on the rope together with all of Las Vegas behind them. The unexpected success in their inaugural season is the cause of all of this. Getting that close to winning it all changed the original course of direction. They went big-game hunting, bringing in players like Pacioretty, Stone, Eichel, Pietrangelo, and Martínez — all world-class players, for sure. But you need more than that to hoist the trophy that’s the most difficult in all of sports to win.
You need a balanced lineup, a team that has chemistry, a team that’s willing to skate through a wall for one another. They had that in their first season, but they don’t have that now. Now, they’re a team of superstars who aren’t jelling and can’t stay healthy enough to even attempt to create the chemistry required to win 16 games out of a possible 28.
What else can possibly go wrong now? Try this. Max Pacioretty just returned to the lineup and has played in only 29 of the 60 games this season, but he was again injured last night and didn’t return for the 3rd period. I’m not superstitious, but man oh man, is this team jinxed? I know injuries are part of the game, but not to the degree that they have had to endure through these first 60 games.
There are 22 games left to somehow remove Murphy’s Law from the air surrounding this team. It’s not going to be easy, and though on paper, they’re still a dangerous team, without heart, desire, and chemistry, you don’t go far in the playoffs.
And these 4 blown points may come back to haunt them in late April when they’re running out of games. They really have to start winning now, especially against inferior teams like Buffalo and Philadelphia, and that starts tomorrow against Columbus. They have almost no room for error now.
Game Notes and Quotes
“We’ve played good. Not good enough, obviously, to win,” Pietrangelo said. “So we need to be better. Simple as that. There are definitely some things we’re happy about. Have done a lot of good things with our structure. But it’s a winning business. You have to find a way to win.”
Eichel’s goal got Vegas within 2-1 at 4:19 with a wrist shot from the slot. He’s scored three goals in six games since scoring one in his first six.
“It was a rough start, but I thought our second period was really good,” Marchessault said. “I feel like we lost our swagger a little bit when they got the lead. We sat back.”
VGK, who got off to a slow start once again, outshot the Penguins 37-17 in the final two periods after being outshot 16-5 in the first.
“We’re going to concentrate on the really good things we did tonight,” Coach DeBoer said. “We outplayed, for long stretches, a really good team over there. So it’s a challenge, but that’s the ups and downs of a season. We have a lot of hockey left. We’ve got a chance to finish this road trip strong with a couple of wins (two games remaining).”
I’m hard-pressed to find 3 VGK stars of the game, so I’ll just pass.
Next game is tomorrow vs. Columbus at 4 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.
Eichel opens the scoring for the VGK
Pietrangelo’s goal that tied the game
Mark Friedman’s game-winning goal
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“Gutted” the team fits. All the skill in the world won’t help if there is not heart and soul in my humble opinion. Sad state of affairs.
Great article! You nailed it. Management sold the farm to get the cup. They messed with the spirit and chemistry that this team had. You can’t buy that. Every player is fair game trade bait and that has to be such an uncomfortable environment for the players. It must be hard to play for an organization that shows no allegiance to its player, in my opinion. Sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side. Maybe the grass you had was good enough.
As always, you’re 100% correct! You did miss stating ( I guess the obvious) – who is Steve Spott related to? ( sorry for the preposition). We had 2 PP close together to make up the 2 The Pens got after our tying it up.
One one, I don’t think we got one SOG. I’m serious-before we throw away the talent -we need to look closely at coaching ! Sorry, had to be said…
Hey Joe.
You`re Spott on. This great recap was an epitaph of a dead team.
Eichel looks like he misses his teammates he had in Buffalo. He was linked wireless to Reinhart and scored goals via no-look-passes.
He made “Goalofsson” into a good scorer in the mold of an poor man`s Pacioretty. He needs wingers with a great hockey sense, not Kolesar! He needs players with chemistry like the Misfit-Line!
DeBoer killed the Misfit-Line by moving Marchessault to the first line. He could have Karlsson in that line too when Pacioretty got injured. That would have been a good line at least on paper.
Instead there were four lines which couldn`t scare the weakest defense in the NHL.
Poor William looked like a lost soul out there with new wingers who made no-look-passes into no-puck-passes.
Teams like Carolina, Florida, Tampa, Calgary and Colorado has 3 or 4 lines with skills in the range from World-Class to good.
All lines can score on a regurarly basis. They have a group of D-men in the same range too.
To top that with at least one or two goalies.
Under these teams in ranking are teams like Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh, Rangers, Toronto, St Louis, Minnesota and Nashville.
They are all better teams than Vegas. Their first lines are better than the VGK first line. Plus they aren`t as injury proned as they are in Vegas.
As I`m watching NHL games like it`s no tomorrow, I know how good these are. Watching Calgary beat Tampa in a game who had it all.
All four lines in both teams played offensive hockey with an defensive awareness. The D-men were also good. Even a behemoth like Gudbranson made some offensive moves the overrated Theodore would have been proud of.
Markstrom and Vasilevskiy made it hard for the players to score on them.
Players like Gaudreau and Kucherov made moves like a Nurejev on skates, and at the end it was Gaudreau who had the last laugh, two times, when he shot the puck from behind the goalline via the a.. of Vasilevskiy and into the net. Just like Marchy often do.
The tempo in the game made me almost break sweat.
Comparing this game with the game between Vegas and Pittsburgh can`t be done to not embarrass the Sin City and the steeltown teams.
Why do I care about being dissatisfied, that`s an understatement, almost every game the Golden Knights play.
The answer is the Cup. Sorry that`s an ad the NHL had on TV for a few years.
My answer is, Vegas stole my hockey heart in 2017 by the way the were and how they played.
Not because they won a lot of games.
If you only root for a team who play the most attractive hockey, you`ll change your favorites a lot of times durind the season.
I have probably written this before but it has to be said again.
Go VGK go
The saying, that you cannot buy a championship is definitely true for the Vegas Golden Knights. In years past we saw players hustling to pucks. Being first to the puck was a fundamental foundation for success for the previous editions of the Golden Knights. I personally believe that this has more to do with the coaching strategy than the players. DeBoer is all about process and positioning. That’s fine if you have an elite goalie and defense, something sorely lacking in this edition. Last year with had the Vezina winning Fleury in net and a stable defense (Martinez does make a difference out there).
Crisp passing and lines that are synchronized in their attack formations was also a fundamental foundation of prior editions of the VGK. The passing has been horrendous this year. In fact, describing the current passing as horrendous would actually be an upgrade from where they are!
The toughness is gone, passing non-existent, defense is awful, goaltending is average at best, and the chemistry and passion appears to be gone. The front office and the coaching staff can point to the injury bug as an excuse. But, there is no excuse for a lack of passion, inability to get to pucks and a lack of chemistry. It is the responsibility of the Head Coach and his staff to make sure the team is fired up and has the passion to be the first to get to pucks. The lack of chemistry can also be solved by simplifying the offense and changing strategy.
As a season ticket holder, I am not happy about where this team is. The cost for two seats is north of $10K. When you are putting in that much investment you expect to get a return on it, especially when the Front Office has spent the future of this team to win now.
Sorry, but the excuse of injuries isn’t quite satisfying. Maybe if players and coaches had to refund some portion of their salary to season ticket holders for poor performance we’d see a bit more passion out there!!!!!
At this point, I can see the writing on the wall. I would rather see this team have a yard sale at this point and start building for a run next season.
1. Offer a 2 year deal to Smith at a discount before the trade deadline. If he turns it down he goes into the yard on sale.
2. Dadanov and Janmark have both been pretty invisible out there. Yard sale.
3. Kolesar and Patrick are packaged up in a deal if possible. Yard sale.
4. Goaltending is not elite, not even close. Yard Sale. Find a viable starter to bring in and give Thompson a chance to compete. In fact, let’s take a look at Thompson over the next 22 remaining games. Maybe go after Grubauer in Seattle or Georgiev in NY.
5. Theodore and Hague have not been playing well. Yard Sale.
Sorry, there is nothing pointing to this season being salvaged.
SEASON V IS ALL BUT OVER
Well taken Richard.
A new coach can make miracles with a team in a free fall. Just look at Vancouver, Calgary and a few years back St Louis.
Barry Trotz has been coaching Islander for four years now. He´s used to stay on four years contracts first with Washington were he won a SC in 2018. Direct after that he went to Islanders on a four year contract. This season is the first time they don`t reach the playoffs. The other three seasons they have been eliminated in the semifinals.
He knows how to coach an offensive team (Washington) and a defensive team (Islanders).
He might be avaiable in the summer.
The yard sale is OK except for nr 4.
You`re right about the goaltending but Grubauer isn`t better than Lehner. I`ve been watching Kraken a lot of times and he has let in some strange goals and he have been pulled a few times also.
Georgiev has showed Gallant why he isn`t a starter for Rangers. He has been very shaky in the games I`ve seen Rangers.
He has a really bad year statistically and he`s been pulled also.
There might be goalies on the market from the teams who are out of the playoff discussion already. But they don`t grow on trees!
Try Thompson, I`ve said it before and I say it again. He must gain some experience from NHL games when Vegas have nothing to play for any longer.
Just look at St Louis in the 18/19 season when Berube took over as coach. He went for Binnington as the new starter in goal.
Until then he had only played in the AHL. A new voice behind the bench and a goalie who stood on his head took the team all the way to a SC win.
I thank you again for the link, Richard
Bill Jenkins sent this comment in
Great assessment!
Larry Tirri responded to Bill Jenkins
Indeed, too many stars and no heart to hold or gel the team together!!!! I loved the “MISFITS”, A team with HEART!!!!
Pat Hella added this to Larry Tirri comment
Yup
Anthony Soro asked this question
Is Max out for a while? Anyone coming back by tomorrow, they only have about 8 people out that they need back now.
Anthony
There is no timetable on Max Pacioretty return to the lineup. I think the lineup we had on Friday night will be the same minus Pacioretty. Not sure who would fill in for Max, it may be a callup from Henderson or DeBoer could dress 7 defensemen and use one as a forward. The injury list is long and it’s not getting better anytime soon.
Joe P.
Anthony Soro responded
Joe Pane that sucks
Brian Mishefske wrote
Never easy to be a fan and realize this possibility with twenty some games left but with more injuries tonight it is heading down that path.
Chris Valvo wrote this
If things don’t change first post season playing golf. Smh….
Damien Garrett had this opinion
Hate to say put picking some lean years ahead. Unless someone changes asp
Tara Cranfield asked
How are they all getting so easily injured? Game after game they lose players. 😡
Louise Millman responded to Tara question
Tara Cranfield if we have a fitness coach, we could blame him/her
Barb Sinatra Burdo sent this in
I feel a little sick after this game☹️☹️
Andrew Lunsford wrote this
I already wrote the playoffs OFF 2 weeks ago!
Jordan Lyle Abbott replied to Andrew
The sad truth, unless something miraculous happens real soon.
Joey Totaro has this opinion of how the VGK will fare at the end of the season
I believe they will limp into the playoffs.
Bob McBroom asked this question
Hey Joe, how would like to be a Detroit fan today, after 25 great straight years and going through the last 6/7 years? Lol
Joe Pane
Bob McBroom hard pass on this 😂
Joe P.
John R. Campbell wrote this in defense of the Detroit Red Wings
Joe Pane our rafters tell a story of a Dynasty Hockey Club, and you think that’s bad??? I guess your feelings are what happens when you’re handed an expansion team like no other and fail to take a cup. You guys need some tissues??? 😎
John R. Campbell are you talking about the team that gave up like 11 goal last week
Joe P.
John R. Campbell and just for your information there was not one super star on that team that went to the Stanley Cup Final. They weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs.
Joe P.
John R. Campbell responded to me saying that Detroit gave up 11 goals in one game.
Joe Pane it was 9.
John, I stand corrected, but it was against Arizona, they sometime don’t score 9 goals in a week.
I didn’t see the game was it a touchdown and a safety or just 3 field goals that Arizona scored?
Joe P.
John R. Campbell responded
I’ll take that as a yes you want the tissues.
John R. Campbell I’m not crying but you should be for sure. that your team gave up 9 goals to Arizona
Joe P.
John R. Campbell wrote back to my comments
Joe Pane you might not be. But judging by the comments of people in the VK groups, I think you should take the tissues to at least share. 😁
Joe I was a fan before the 25-year streak. Anything after that long of a streak is just icing. Hopefully I’m here to see another one start.
I just realized I follow 3 VK Fb groups and no Wings groups. 🤔🤔🤔
John R. Campbell you follow 3 VGK Facebook groups, because you know a good team when you see one 🙂
Joe P.
Daniel Burns added his opinion to this subject
There’s a lot of millionaires who should be scoring more goals.
Jeffrey Venuto wrote
I think it’s their head coach not a fan of his at all.
Charlene Ono sent this in
Hopefully my LA KINGS can get to the playoffs 🤳🏼 How are you Joe, where is home now?
Charlene, I hope so also the VGK have never lost to the LA Kings in the playoffs. 4-0
I’m good it’s been a while since I have seen you. I’m still in Vegas.
Joe P.
Kathy Swanson added this to the conversation
Peoples don’t give up…. we need to show our VGK’S our love & support now more than ever!!!!
Kathy Swanson I’m not giving up just preparing the fans for what may happen.
Joe P.
Johnny Lawless sent this comment in
Definitely been concerned for a while but I haven’t given up like so many others. We’re still in 3d in the Pacific. If we lose a couple more and Edmonton is able to beat the worst teams in the league (that we couldn’t) then it will be time to look to a new year. But it is hard to trade away the team if we still have a chance. I’m not sure how permanent each injury is and that of course affects our chances too – if nobody (Stone, Martinez, McNabb, Patches) is coming back this year then we are probably done already.
Keith Westergaard sent this response to Johnny
Johnny Lawless well said.
Bill Dickerson wrote
Definitely time to worry. Honestly yesterday’s game scares me, I caught myself thinking the offense looked good with 2 goals. That is really bad.
Honestly now may be a good time to sell, but I don’t think they can or will as one has to believe if this continues people in the organization will not be back next year.
Brian Mishefske wrote this opinion
Joe this may be the best one I have read so far; I have nothing to add. Have we heard why Smith is a healthy scratch? If anyone knows please inform me. Have a great weekend my brother and Go Knights
Nicholas Roop answered Brian’s question about Reilly Smith
Brian Mishefske Smith was not healthy scratched that is an unsubstantiated rumor. He has a knee injury.
Brian Mishefske wrote back
Nicholas Roop oh I didn’t see it posted! Thanks brother
Denise Chapman McClung wrote
Painful to watch!!
Pamela Ann in response to my article
Well said
Barb Sinatra Burdo wrote
Soooo hard to watch in recent games…but still love my Knights
Shannon Rohm sent this in
Joe great article. It’s so hard to watch like a punch in the gut. No swagger, no chemistry. I thought when Eichel scored that goal the other Knight and they tackled him it would be the start of some chemistry. I’m behind our boys and pray they find a way to get back together 😢
Bonne Petersen Covey added this
Soooo, lost a game without Lehner in the net. Guess he isn’t the problem after all.
Harry Hogge responded to Bonnie’s comment
Bonne Petersen Covey he’s a huge part of the problem. Along with McCrimmon. Offload Mccrimmon, Deborer, and Lehner along with one or two of these dumb contracts and we should start to right the ship
Bonne Petersen Covey responded
Harry Hogge, you forgot the team members that shoot but don’t score (42 SOG 2 G, 31 SOG 1 G, and 48 SOG 1 G) and those who draw unnecessary penalties.
Lyn Crowl Schrader wrote
Spot on!
I think we see the eagerness for that chemistry from Whitecloud, Smith, Marchy, and Petro. The others; not so much.
Thank you, Joe, for putting the words to paper.
Nell Cole answered my question with these 2 words.
past time.
Nicholas Roop added
It’s past time to be concerned. I’ve been concerned about this team not passing the eye test all season even when they were winning.
Brian Mishefske responded to Nicholas
Nicholas Roop, we got away from out working our opponents and the lack of physical play and no forechecking.
Nancy Ford Prather shared her thoughts on what the problem is
They messed with the Chemistry! Chasing Stars!!!!
Allen A-z said this about me not naming the 3 stars of the game
Passing on naming any stars for VGK = classic. Another great article Joe Pane.
Vegas Gal added this comment
Well said…
Jared Kotellos thinks this will be when we should be concerned
If we get eliminated from playoff contention, then that will be the time
David Sheleheda relied to Jared
Jared Kotellos by then it will be too late.
Jared Kotellos wrote back
David Sheleheda so you see my point
Jacqueline Claire offered her take on this.
No passion, no heart, no soul! That sums it up. The old phrase “There’s no I in team” comes to mind. PS I completely forgot there was a game last night, as I was still struggling to recover from the juggernaut of the evening before. 😔
Nancy Ford Prather wrote
The first year Knights had that Little Engine that could attitude…. I think….I can…. I think I can…. I think I can…
Which turned into… I thought we could… I thought we could…
to I KNEW WE COULD!!!!
The bond that was build that first year was amazing!!! Fricking awesome to watch!!! They were Smokin up the Ice having fun!!!! No egos, No Stars, just playing hockey….
Then, here comes management!!!! Hard press for the Cup!!!! Shaking the team to it’s core with the firing of Gallant. (1) then it was a chase for Stars. (2) Then Flower I know I will get shit for this one. But I believe as a veteran player he brought the glue (3) and yes I am aware their are other Veteran players.
The team was developing naturally. Building blocks in place. Management took them back… putting the cart before the horse.
I get it Foley is in his mid- seventies he wants the Cup! But, Build a team. That Vegas will be proud of don’t buy one….
Jacqueline Claire added this
Nancy Ford Prather I second that!
Cyndi Dow said this
Maybe need to take a better look at Kelly and George
Kristi Scott Smith offered this opinion
I think it time to be concerned…They don’t seem to be team right now more individuals
Charles Napier responded to Kristi comment
Yes
Mike Guido wrote
Yep, another Man down. We can’t stay healthy. It’s reality not an excuse we have 31 million dollars’ worth of players at home. This is getting ridiculous. They are playing hard. Now Patches out again…. I’m very concerned. Since Stone has been out, we have barely won any games. It’s getting frustrating.
Ben Son added this to the conversation
A while ago we should have been concerned. To many lineup changes.
Mike Guido responded to Ben
Ben Son to many people hurt! 8 of our best players are out.
Ben Son replied back
Mike Guido, I know, but they are just trying to find a line match for Eichel instead of just working with what they have. Not up on our team but this has to stop. We don’t have our aggression anymore.
Drew Thrasher wrote
Long past time
Charlie Anzalone believes this may be the problem
Lines don’t stay together
Vickie Webb sent this comment in
Totally agree! Glad to see an honest article! I would just like to know more about their conditioning, is there a reason players keep getting re-election injured? Living in Florida now I don’t always get all the news so depend on a lot of articles like yours.
Thank you, Vickie, for your kind words and taking the time out of your busy schedule to read what I offer as my opinions on the current state of the VGK
Joe P.
Roger Gros asked this
Is this what it’s like to root for a mediocre hockey team?
Roger Gros I wouldn’t know I’m not a Flyer fan.
Joe P.
Jay Moon wrote this
I enjoy reading your articles. Your analysis tends to be right on! 👍. Such a shame to see the Knights struggling this season.
Douglas Carle sent this opinion in
You are absolutely correct. McCrimmon and Deboer have totally ripped the heart and soul out of this team. They play like they really don’t care. I know there will be the normal “soccer mom ‘fans” who say “my team win or lose“and “the coaches don’t skate on the ice“, but obviously those type of people are not sports fans. Any actual fan of hockey can see that this is a lackluster team with absolutely no direction. They play with no fire and their offense is an absolute joke. When you take a look at their payroll as opposed to the output, it is a crime. The mere fact that the head coach in two seasons now has an abysmal power-play and absolutely refuses (either by stupidity or arrogance) to re-tool is evidence enough. There just needs to be a big broom brought in. This season is basically done. Time to make the changes.
Douglas Carle added this
I also want to make it clear in my comments that, with the exception of the goaltending position which has been seriously damaged with the idiotic “trade “, The talent is there. There are more than enough core strong players to get to at least the conference final not to mention make the playoffs. The problem is the coaching. The system, and it’s execution, is simply terrible. The power-play is beyond a joke. This is all coaching. It’s like having a team of thoroughbreds with two or three of them facing backwards trying to pull the wagon. This comes down to simply the fact that the coach and the general manager being totally out of their depth.
Brenda Hickman Darlow responding to Douglas
Totally agree!!! Douglas Carle, you have nailed it
Chris Team USA wrote
Concerned? Yes. Panic? No.
Kat Neely wrote
Without a doubt.
Kevin Logan sent this in
Great write up Joe, I’m just pissed!!
Kristen Lowrimore wrote this
You nailed it! My dad and I always discuss hockey and that’s what we have been saying for months. we look great on paper, but we perform better when we were the underdogs and had heart ♥️
Nick Steffen has this opinion
Spot on as usual. I’ve actually been concerned for quite a while. Those four games they lost in row in October had me concerned. People said that it was early and not to worry. It would be nice to have at least some of those 8 points now. But it wasn’t just those losses that bothered me, but the way they played. And it hasn’t improved. No passion or drive. Not willing to out hit the other team. Not willing to play in the greasy area. Shots from the blue line, while pretty, aren’t probably going in the net. The injuries have really hurt (no pun intended) but there definitely is something else going on and I can’t put my finger on it.
Marie Archuletta-Nabit sent this in
Well said and You hit the nail on the head Joe should we be worried, absolutely!! Let’s look a little deeper a lot of this falls on the organization of the management instead of taking care of the players that they had they dissected this team apart thinking if they get elite players, they can do better well it’s come back to bite them in the ass maybe we should consider letting go the GM, foley has been more than a puppet for McCrimmon, I think they need to start cleaning up the management first!!
Marie Archuletta-Nabit you are not alone in this opinion.
Joe P.