I know last night’s game caused you to hyperventilate a little, or in some cases, a lot. But if you know the history between these 2 teams, especially at T-Mobile, it’s never over till it’s over. Once again, a multi-goal lead disappeared and the VGK came storming back. A late 2nd-period goal by Alec Martinez trimmed the lead to 3-2. Then they added a 3rd-period goal by Nicolas Roy to tie the game. And when it seemed we were headed for a shootout, they scored an overtime goal on a Jonathan Marchessault wrist shot with just 18 seconds remaining for the 4-3 win.
This is the 3rd-period team we know, rising to the occasion, even though Robin Lehner was a bit shaky in giving up 3 goals in the first 2 periods, 2 of which he’d like to have back (especially the one from an almost impossible angle). But Lehner was spectacular in the OT period when St. Louis had more than a few grade-A chances to end the game.
With the win, Vegas remains perfect in 5-minute OTs with a 9-0 record. They’ve won 13 of their last 15 games, and because of this, Vegas remains on top of the Honda West Division by 4 points over Colorado, which has played 1 less game. Colorado was victorious last night in their game against the LA Kings. Minnesota also won last night. These 3 teams are separated by only 5 points. Vegas holds the quest for the Division Championship in their own hands. If they win 2 of their last 3 games, no matter what Colorado or Minnesota do, they’ll clinch their 3rd division championship in 4 years. Impressive to say the least and they’re doing it with their leading goal scorer, Max Pacioretty, missing his 3rd game in a row. Again last night, the VGK played the game with just 17 skaters instead of the normal 18. Vegas, which was 0-4-1 in its prior games playing without a full roster has now won the last 2.
If you happened to be one of the lucky 7,567 who were in attendance, you got to see 2 teams that may face each other in a 7-game playoff series that figures to be entertaining at the very least. Last night’s crowd was the largest to attend an NHL game this year. The city of Las Vegas always finds a way to be a cut above everyplace else.
Despite the overtime loss, St. Louis clinched the final playoff spot in the Honda West Division. That means that the 4 teams in this division that everyone picked to make the playoffs in January have done so.
Robin Lehner may have saved his spot in the goalie rotation with his play in the 3rd period and overtime. He had lost his 2 previous games and admitted that he has been struggling. Alec Martinez’s goal late in the 2nd period may have squashed any thoughts of Pete Deboer sending Fleury out for the 3rd period just to change the momentum. But with another game today, that may have been just a passing thought. What will be interesting is whether or not DeBoer breaks the rotation on Monday and lets Fleury play the game vs. Colorado, which will have huge implications on who will finish on top. Fleury has earned the right to be in the net on Monday based on his play, giving Robin the last game of the season vs. San Jose.
Robin Lehner made 22 saves for the Golden Knights after allowing 6 goals in a 6-5 loss at the Wild on Monday. “It’s no secret that in the last couple of games, Minnesota and today, I let in some goals that weren’t really good,” Lehner said. “I just took a breath in the second period and tried to go out there and do my best. We have a special group here. We did what we needed to do.” The teams conclude their season series today. Vegas is 5-1-1 against St. Louis so far this season
My 3 Stars Of the Game
1) Jonathan Marchessault (OT goal with time running out for the much-needed win)
2) Nicolas Roy (3rd-period goal set up Marchy’s OT winner)
3) Alec Martinez (1G, which was a big momentum changer with just 10 seconds left in the 2nd period. Martinez continued his shot-blocking streak by having a game high 4 blocked shots, the most on both teams)
Next game is today vs. St. Louis @ 7 PM Pacific time at T-Mobile
If you want to hear and see more VGK content, please check out the podcast I do with Eddie Rivkin on YouTube it’s called “Hockey Knights in Vegas.” Here’s a link to our previous podcast. Enjoy.
Hockey Knights in Vegas – YouTube
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can 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 at LasVegasAdvisor.com. What better way is there to enjoy your morning coffee than reading my take on last night’s VGK game.
Martinez’s goal that starts the comeback
Roy 3rd period goal that ties the game at 3-3
Marchessault winning goal in OT
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Scott Amaral wrote this comment
fair summary although I’d personally change the starts to Martinez #1. Not only did he put them back in the game with a late 2nd period goal, he also played goalie as Lehner flopped around in net.
Scott Amaral he did all of that and that’s a fair point. But without Marchy’s OT goal that gets lost.
Joe P.
Scott Amaral responded
Joe Pane oh I get it. trust me I don’t think anyone wanted to see Bennington vs Lehner in a shootout. I think we know how that ends
Scott Amaral If you look at my Facebook page with a few minutes to go in the game I said. “Please I beg you no shootout”
Joe P.