Knights on Ice — A Reversal of Roles

In the last three games of this first-round matchup, the VGK have exploded out of the gates, scoring early and often and in the process chasing Sharks’ goaltender Martin Jones twice to a premature shower. Last night on the shoulders and skates of Tomas Hertl, who scored two goals and had his hat trick denied by the crossbar, the Sharks defeated the VGK 5-2, forcing Game 6 at T-Mobile on Sunday.

San Jose lost the last two potential playoff-elimination games they played: last year to the VGK in Game 6 of Round Two and in Game 6 to Edmonton in Round 1 of the 2017 playoffs. Last night was the first time in the VGK’s short history that they lost a potential playoff-winning game. They won the three previous potential playoff-series-clinching games that they played in the 2018 playoffs: Game 4 against the L.A. Kings in Round 1; Game 6 against the Sharks; and Game 5 vs. the Winnipeg Jets to secure the Western Conference championship.

There’s something of a silver lining to last night’s loss, however. A win in Game 6 on Sunday will be the first time that the VGK have clinched a playoff series in front of a packed T-Mobile Arena. If you thought it was loud and wild on home ice during Games 3 and 4, the 18,500+ fans expected on Sunday will blow the roof off.

During the season, the Knights’ power play has been their Achilles heel. In this first round, a complete reversal has transpired, with Vegas scoring eight power-play goals on 24 chances for an impressive 33.3%. Last night, both VGK goals were scored on the power play, the first by Reilly Smith with just 30 seconds left in the first period.

Goals scored early or late in a period usually have a profound effect on the momentum of the game. San Jose’s goal just 1:16 into the game, followed up by Logan Couture’s goal at the 11-minute mark, had Vegas on its heels and allowed Martin Jones to become comfortable between the pipes. Smith’s PPG was a lucky bounce off a pass from behind the net to Cody Eakin. The puck hit Erik Karlsson’s stick and snuck between the legs of Jones to trim the two-goal lead to one.

The Sharks had a two-goal lead three different times during the game, only to see Vegas sneak back in from 2-0 to 2-1, then from 3-1 to 3-2, and finally 4-2. With the score 3-2, William Karlsson skated down the right wing with Reilly Smith on the left for a 2-on-1 on Jones. Karlsson made a perfect cross-ice pass to Smith, who appeared to have Jones beat, until the goalie stretched across to his right to make a stellar pad save that would have tied the score and, in my opinion, changed the entire complexion of the game. Blowing a two-goal lead multiple times in a playoff elimination game would have taken the wind right out of the sails of the Sharks, at the same time creating a momentum that Vegas could seize upon.

The Stone line, which had registered 28 points in the first four games (12 goals, 16 assists), was held without a point in last night’s loss. Fleury made 24 saves on the 28 shots he faced. The Flower had a lot more traffic in front of him than in the previous three games and expect to see that again on Sunday if San Jose expects to force a Game 7.

Martin Jones made 30 saves and was never really tested, except for the 2-on-1 save he made on Reilly Smith. Vegas has to challenge him and get more rubber on him. He’s one early goal away from having a typical Jones vs. the VGK meltdown, especially in a playoff game.

Tomas Hertl had two goals. Joe Pavelski had one goal and one assist, along with Erik Karlsson having two assists.

The VGK pulled Fleury with 2:40 left in the game in an attempt to close the 4-2 lead to just one goal for the fourth time in the game. Not only were they unsuccessful, but Pavelski scored a goal into the vacated net with 1:46 remaining on the clock for the 5-2 final score.

The after-whistle scrums in the first four games were almost completely absent from last night’s game and so were the hits. In the previous games, both teams were dishing out hits that totaled 90+. Last night’s game had just 55.

Vegas needs to engage in these hits in Sunday’s game, especially from both Reaves and Carrier. They seem to get the Sharks off their game and more interested in retaliating than producing offensive opportunities.

My 3 Stars of the Game: Tomas Hertl (2 goals, especially the first just 1:16 into the game), Martin Jones (30 saves and a good confidence builder, not only for him, but the team in front of him), and San Jose Coach Peter Deboer (who finally got his team to play hockey and not get sucked into after-whistle scrums).

Can Deboer keep them on track Sunday?

I say no. The crowd at T-Mobile will inspire the VGK to come out with a huge push and have the Sharks on their heels from the opening faceoff. Reaves and Carrier will provide a forecheck that was nowhere to be found last night. You can’t let the defense of the Sharks freely move the puck up the ice. It’s simple pound and ground them. Make them just throw the puck out of their zone instead of moving it tape to tape.

We know that the next game will be on Sunday, but the time hasn’t been announced. This is so NBC and the NBC Sports network can work out the national TV schedule. The VGK are a ratings juggernaut and they’ll do their best to have the game in prime time. Look for a late-afternoon or early-evening start. My guess is 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

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And for the most comprehensive coverage of the Vegas Golden Knights’ historic inaugural season, take a look at our book Vegas Golden Knights—How a First-Year Expansion Team Healed Las Vegas and Shocked the Hockey World.