Knights on Ice — 5 Foot 9 and 180 Pounds Is the New 6 Foot 4 and 240 Pounds

The VGK’s smallest player is Jonathan Marchessault. As a matter of fact, he was the smallest player on the ice last night for either team. But you’d never know it based on his tenacity and the fact that he plays like he is 6′ 4” and weighs 240 pounds and takes no shit from anyone.

He was instrumental in last night’s 4-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. Besides registering 2 assists on both of Reilly Smith’s goals in the crucial 3^rd period that sealed the win in Game 1 of this best of 7 series, he also delivered 3 solid right hands to the face of Jonathan Toews, the Chicago superstar and captain who had crossed Marchessault from behind after Marchy finished a check in front of the VGK bench on a Chicago player.

At the time, the score was just 1-0 and Chicago seemed content to play an uninspired brand of hockey, trying to neutralize the offense of the VGK. In other words, they knew full well that they were up against a superior team.

Marchy took matters into his own hands — well, in this case, it was his own fist that sent the message, and not only to his teammates. What better way to demoralize the opponents than to take it straight to their leader, the heart and soul of the Chicago Blackhawks, with 3 right hands to the mush of Toews. Marchy did this right in front of the VGK bench, almost like he was trying to light a fire under the 17 VGK skaters who seemed content with Chicago’s play-it-safe game plan. Especially after they entered the 2^nd period with the game scoreless after 20 minutes.

Chicago managed only 5 shots on goal in the first period and in the final 13 minutes of the first period, they were outshot 6-1. Chicago managed a mere 20 shots for the entire game. Ten were when they were on the power play and just 9 when they were playing 5-on-5. Their other shot was on their shorthanded goal.

It appeared that the Chicago plan was to play the majority of the game in the neutral zone in a feeble attempt to stifle the Vegas offense and hoping for a mistake by the VGK or even better, a power play, before they would open up the ice.

Well, they got what they asked for when Vegas scored 2 goals within 2:17 to take a 2-0 lead. After William Carrier’s goal, which made it 2-0, Chicago challenged the goal claiming that Ryan Reaves was offside entering the zone. The play was reviewed, the goal was confirmed, Vegas had their 2-goal lead, and Chicago was issued a 2-minute penalty for the unsuccessful challenge. Chicago was hoping for a power play to spark their offense, but now they had to kill off a penalty, along with trailing by two.

Sometimes the hockey gods have a weird sense of humor and while the very reliable Shea Theodore, who quarterbacks the 1^st unit of the VGK power play, was stripped of the puck in his defensive zone, Chicago got the special-team goal they were looking for. Rather than on a power play, it was a crucial short-handed goal, which could have been a back-breaker, as now Chicago was back in the game trailing 2-1 instead of 2-0 with the possibility of 3-0 if Vegas scored on the delay-of-game penalty.

There was no additional scoring in the 2^nd period and the VGK took the slim 2-1 lead into the 3^rd period. But as we know, Vegas dominated the 3^rd period in their 3 round-robin games and last night was no different.

Reilly Smith scored 2 goals in the third to seal the 4-1 win, with six-four 240 Marchy assisting on both. Marchy also had a team-high 6 shots on goal last night. Over the last 2 games, Marchy’s intensity has risen to the surface, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists with 13 SOG. Considering he was MIA in their first 2 round-robin games, the Jonathan Marchessault that we all know has his swagger back and that’s good news for the VGK and really bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks. Marchy took a huge shoulder-to-shoulder hit at center ice, which sent him flying. He just picked himself up and smiled as one of the officials asked him if he was okay. Reading Marchy lips, he clearly said, “I’m fine,” and continued to play like he somehow had found his way inside the body of Ryan Reaves.

Speaking of Ryan Reaves and the 4^th line, Nicholas Roy was put in between both Revo and Carrier and sent Tomas Nosek to become a healthy scratch. This was a good move by DeBoer, as that line created a lot of energy and gave Chicago fits on the forecheck. The 3^rd line seems to be missing Roy, as they were pretty much invisible for the entire game.

So to the elephant in the room, as I predicted, Robin Lehner was the starting goaltender and I’m sure more than 50% of the VGK fan base is not one bit happy about this. I will also say I just don’t see how DeBoer doesn’t come back with Lehner for Game 2. The only mistake Robin made was wearing his old-ass skates that broke twice last night during play. He’s known for not changing his skates and staying with skates that are at least 4 years old. Postgame, Coach DeBoer jokingly said that with Foley as the owner and sponsorship deals, Panda will be getting a new pair of skates sooner than later.

Goalies can be very weird about their equipment, so we shall see.

According to the NHL rules, Robin should not have been allowed to have his skate repaired, causing the delay of the game. Not once but actually twice. Fleury should have been forced into action.

Rule 14 – Adjustment to Clothing or Equipment 14.1 Adjustment to Clothing or Equipment – Play shall not be stopped nor the game delayed by reasons of adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates, or sticks. The onus of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player shall leave the ice and play shall continue with a substitute. No delay shall be permitted for the repair or adjustment of goalkeeper’s equipment. If adjustments are required, the goalkeeper shall leave the ice and his place shall be taken by the substitute goalkeeper immediately.

Robin blew a tire twice in the game when his blade popped out of its holder, but was never forced to leave the ice for repairs. Interesting, to say the least, but this is 2020 and nothing should come as a surprise.

The return of Max Pacioretty caused the shake-up of the 3^rd line as Patches was put with Stone and Karlsson. The VGK lineup is deep, but sometimes players seem to have chemistry with certain players and Tuch looked lost last night without Roy in the middle of the 3^rd line.

My 3 Stars of the night: Reilly Smith (2 goals, 1 assist), Jonathan Marchessault (2A and the heart of a lion), William Carrier (game-winning goal),

Game 2 of Round 1 is Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can contact me directly at [email protected] or you can visit my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or at my twitter account @TheRealJoePane

Shea Theodore’s goal

Reilly Smith’s second goal of the game

William Carrier’s game-winning goal