Knights on Ice — From 2-0 to 2-2
Just last week, the VGK were riding high off back-to-back victories over division-rival San Jose Sharks, despite losing Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch before the season even started, then losing Nate Schmidt early in the first period on opening night. Then there was their less-than-stellar performance against the Eastern Conference champions Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
But nothing to worry about, right? The next game was against the Arizona Coyotes, who throughout the VGK’s first 2 seasons have been pretty much a doormat for Vegas. In the first season, these teams played 5 times and Vegas won 4. Last year, Vegas’ record increased to 6 wins and 3 losses.
But the 2019-2020 season has nothing to do with any previous results. The only thing that remains constant with this team is the list of injuries. Last year in all 82 regular-season games and 7 playoff games, the Knights never had a complete healthy lineup. This season, the team was already down 3 players when Malcolm Subban sustained an injury sometime during the first period and never returned. Marc-Andre Fleury was scheduled for the night off, as the VGK has 3 games scheduled over the next 4 days, including last night’s game; he was forced into action for the remaining 40 minutes.
This doesn’t bode well for the team. Fleury’s workload was scheduled to be reduced this season with a vision of having him fresh come playoff time. Now, that plan is no longer an option, unless Subban’s injury is short-term.
Oscar Dansk seems to be the 3rd goalie in the depth chart and most likely called up to replace Subban, but how much confidence will Dave Prior, the goaltending coach, have in Oscar? He’s played in one game so far for the Chicago Wolves and surrendered 7 goals with a .720 save percentage. The other choice is Garret Sparks, who looked decent in his appearance in the pre-season game with the team during training camp. Sparks hasn’t appeared in a game for the Chicago Wolves other than a pre-season game, which he lost with a Goals Against average of 4.01 and a save percentage of .882.
In last night’s game, one thing stood out to me: Either the Arizona Coyotes have really increased their overall team speed or the VGK defense is slow and unable to react and force opposing forwards wide in areas where their shots will not become grade A scoring chances.
On Arizona’s first goal, the reliable 2-way play of Mark Stone was missing. His inability to get deep into the Arizona zone while he had possession of the puck just inside the blue line resulted in a quick transition going the other way. Unfortunately, a desperate pass back to the front of the net was redirected past Subban off Nick Hague’s skate.
On this play, Nick Holden did force Arizona’s Carl Soderberg wide, who sent a blind pass across the front of the net. Conor Garland eventually got the puck and threw it back across the front of the net blindly, only to see the puck take a friendly Arizona bounce off Nick’s skate for the 1-0 lead.
On Arizona’s second goal, the Vegas defensive pair of Merrill and Holden were left flat-footed as Christian Dvorak sent a one-handed pass under Nick Holden, who went to the ice to try to prevent it. That failed and Nick Schmaltz beat Jon Merrill to the front of the net for an easy tap-in past Subban with just 38 seconds to go in the first period. That was the game-winner; Vegas managed only 1 goal for the entire game. With just 4 seconds left in the first period, Shea Theodore scored. But the Knights couldn’t muster any momentum from it.
Subban looked good in the 20 minutes he played and couldn’t be faulted for either goal scored on him. Fleury gave up 2 goals in his 40 minutes. Vegas did outshoot Arizona 37-29 and Darcy Kemper held Vegas to their lone goal. Kemper has given up 2 goals or less in his last 10 straight starts. The last time that was done by an Arizona goaltender was back in the 2000-2001 season, when Sean Burke accomplished the same in games from Nov. 11 to Dec. 30, 2000.
You know it’s a bad offensive night when Deryk Engelland leads the team with 6 shots on goal.
Updating former VGK players performances from last night:
James Neal, who left Vegas for more money and a longer-term contract than was offered by McPhee, scored his 7th goal of the season last night for Edmonton. Neal had 7 goals in 63 games for Calgary last year.
Nikita Gusev was traded by Vegas to NJ for a future draft pick when they couldn’t offer him a contract they could afford, considering the salary-cap situation. Last night, Gusev scored his 2nd goal of the season.
Vegas looks to snap this 2-game losing streak on Saturday at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile vs. Calgary.
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You’re right that the defense has lost a lot of speed with Miller traded and Schmidt injured. Is there a lack of confidence from the coaches in the young defense group? Especially resigning Engelland who doesn’t have the speed.
The Knights are considered a top team in the west but their defense is a concern
Yet again, spot on! I really hope the guys fix their defense and create less turnovers! If they’re going to go far this season, they need to fix both issues, and fast. Yes, we have a lot of time to go in the season, but it’s better to fix it now and become the team we know they are, than drag it on and make it tougher on themselves down the road….