As I wrote in my last post, Friday’s game at Nashville featured a Subban family reunion of sorts. Brothers PK and Malcolm played against each other for the first time in front of their dad, who was along for two games on the road on an NHL-tradition “Dad Trip.” James Neal also was in the spotlight in Friday’s game, as he was playing against his old team, the Nashville Predators, and he made good on his return by scoring a goal in the overtime win.
Not to be outdone by Friday’s homecoming, once again Coach Gallant used the former-team factor and started Max Lagace in last night’s game against the Dallas Stars. Lagace spent the last three years in the Dallas system, before signing with the Golden Knights this year.
Now, I was critical of Coach Gallant for using Lagace against the Winnipeg Jets after Subban had a strong performance the night before against the Minnesota Wild. But I can see the reason behind giving Lagace the start last night. Professional athletes have a lot of pride in what they do and Lagace had the chance to show Dallas that perhaps they didn’t give him enough playing time to prove that he can play in the NHL.
Lagace took advantage of this golden opportunity. His playing time in the near future is limited, with Subban healthy and first-string goalie Marc-Andre Fleury now skating with the team. He stopped 35 of the 38 shots he faced, making 15 much-needed saves in the third-period alone.
Third periods haven’t been kind to Vegas. They rank 28 out of 31 teams in goals surrendered in the third period. They stood at -8 in goal differential coming into last night’s game. They had a two-goal lead going into the third period against Dallas, but the Stars scored a goal in that period to make this game a lot closer than the final score indicates. Attempting to take advantage of the VGK’s third-period woes pulled their goaltender with two minutes and 21 seconds left in the game, but the gamble didn’t pay off. Not only didn’t they score, but they allowed an empty-net goal by Erkl Haula with 43 seconds remaining to make it 5-3 and seal the win that stretch Vegas’s winning streak to four in a row. Their overall record is now 19-9-1.
The game was much like a tennis match, with goals being scored one after another, but the VGK never trailed.
Alex Tuch opened the scoring, only to see Dallas tie it up 2 minutes and 15 seconds later, ending the first period tied at 1-1. When David Perron scored a PP goal in the second period to take a 2-1 lead, Dallas answered back in a mere 27 seconds to tie the game at 2-2. Vegas scored the next two goal — Reilly Smith at the 6:10 mark and Bryan McNabb at the 8:35 mark of the second period. Four goals scored in 3 minutes and 37 seconds! If you got up to grab a drink after a goal, you probably missed the next one or maybe even two goals.
With the win against Dallas, the VGK complete their three scheduled games against the Stars, winning the series 2-1. The other series they’re guaranteed to win, but haven’t completed, is against the Arizona Coyotes. Vegas has beaten them four times already this season and their fifth and final meeting is on March 28th at T-Mobile.
The Knights have the next two days off. They’re back at T-Mobile on Tuesday night, December 12, vs. the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
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