Eventually, the VGK will score a power-play goal.
Eventually, the VGK will win a game in Montreal in regulation time.
Eventually, the VGK will get their record above 500.
Eventually, the VGK will get past these first-period slow starts.
Eventually, the VGK fan base that refuses to accept Robin Lehner as a more than capable goaltender will realize that he is.
Well, let’s see how many eventuals we can check off the list.
Last night, the VGK scored a power-play goal. In fact, they scored 2 PPG on the only 2 shots they took in their 2 power plays. Check. And their 0-19 powerless power-play streak, which tied a franchise record, is now old news.
Last night the VGK defeated the Montreal Canadians for the first time ever in Montreal. Check.
With last night’s win, the Knights moved to a 6-5 record and within 1 point of third-place Anaheim for a playoff spot. Anaheim has played 1 more game than Vegas. Check.
These slow starts continue (no check) and the Knights are lucky that they faced 2 opponents who aren’t exactly lighting it up. With Ottawa at 3-11 and Montreal at 3-13, these were 2 teams the VGK were supposed to beat. A win in today’s game against Detroit could really turn the corner and bring the record to a very respectable 6 wins in their last 7 games.
Last night, Robin Lehner was once again outstanding and kept the game manageable, stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced in the first period. The VGK were able to register a paltry 1 shot on goal in the period, the lowest shot total in a period in the history of the franchise. This game could and should have been over in the first period, as all of the VGK were MIA except for Robin Lehner. I’m thinking his play last night, and in the last few games, has made new believers out of at least some recalcitrant fans, so I’m giving this eventual a (back)check.
Four out of five checks. Not too shabby.
After the first 2 goals by Montreal, Vegas scored 3 unanswered goals and 2 more with the Montreal goaltender on the bench for an extra skater for the 5-2 final score.
Nick Suzuki, the former first-round draft pick who was sent to Montreal as part of the deal for Max Pacioretty, once again scored on his former team with his power-play goal to open the scoring. It was Suzuki’s 3rd straight game with a goal and his 3rd straight multipoint game as he assisted on the 2nd Montreal goal by Tyler Toffoli.
Montreal’s goaltender Jake Allen gave up 3 goals on 16 shots, a save percentage of only .813. By comparison, Lehner’s was .947
Other game notes. Marchessault has 3 goals in his last 2 games.
Chandler Stephenson continues to flourish even without his 2 linemates, Stone and Pacioretty. Chandler leads the team with 5 goals and 7 assists in 11 games.
In the second of back-to-back games, Laurent Brossoit will be today’s starting goaltender, giving Robin Lehner a much-deserved day off. Robin has started 10 of the first 11 games.
Dylan Coghlan scored his first goal of the season on the power play.
Both VGK PPGs were with traffic in front of Jake Allen. On Pietrangelo’s goal, Nic Roy was in front of Allen and on Dylan Coghlan goal, Keegan Kolesar provided a screen, preventing Allen from seeing Coghlan’s shot from the point.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Alex Pietrangelo (1G, 1A and a game high 25:35 of ice time), Robin Lehner (36 saves on 38 shots and the savior in the first period), Dylan Coghlan (1G, the GWG)
Next game is today vs. Detroit at 3 p.m. Pacific Time, which will end the 4-game road trip. Vegas returns to T-Mobile on Tuesday vs. Seattle and the start of a 6-game homestand.
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
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.
Marchessault’s goal that tied up the game
Never miss another post
Tom Kingsley had this opinion of the situation.
The sunny side to the injuries is all the ice time for everyone else. In the long run it can only help.
Tom Kingsley that is an excellent point Tom. We may have turned the corner here. Only time will tell. Today’s game is important for the mindset of this team.
Joe P.
Very well said ,thank you .Really enjoy your views. 🧡🖤🇨🇦🍁
Great recap, Joe.
Let´s concentrate on the positive things. The players and the staff know what they doing wrong. After almost every shift they look down on a Pad to see what they just did. Sometimes that´s just contraproductive. A good hockeyplayer should know if he had a bad shift. In this game it was so many bad shifts that some players had a “Pad-neck” after the game. 😉 I suspects Lehner tries to outplay Markstrom, Calgary, to be the starter for Sweden in the OG. Maybe it makes him better. 🤔😉 I would say Lehner is better than ever. I´ve seen him play since his years in Buffalo. Go VGK