Last night, the VGK lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1, for one reason and one reason only. Do you know the reason?
I’ll leave this question open to those who suffered through this game that the VGK had no business losing. This is the second time this season that Philadelphia, at the bottom of the Metro Division with 17 wins in 55 games has beaten the VGK. It’s embarrassing for a team fighting for its playoff life to lose to a team with a goal differential of –53.
Philadelphia has sustained 2 extended losing streaks this year, one of 10 games that they broke against the VGK on December 10 at T-Mobile by a score of 4-3. In that game, Vegas had 44 shots compared to the Flyers’ 25. Their other losing streak was 13 games.
They’re not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but for all intentions, they are. The Flyers are headed for a fire sale on March 21, the trade deadline.
Once again, Vegas had a huge shot differential, 48 to 21. This is now 2 games in a row that Vegas has either struggled to win against or lost to a clearly inferior team.
I’m completely baffled how Robin Lehner could play so well on Sunday, then play like he did last night. Yes, Lehner is the reason that the VGK lost last night. They could have won just on Evgenii Dadonov’s power play goal. Jonathan Marchessault was standing on the goal line; his tape-to-tape pass from Jack Eichel on the half-wall went immediately to Dadonov, who was in the bumper position in front of the net.
The 2 precision passes and the shot all took place in a matter of at most 1 second; that’s how accurately and quickly this goal was scored. Hart didn’t have a chance. The only way this is not a goal is if Dodonov hits Hart with the puck. He didn’t and the VGK were on the board with their first power-play goal on the road in 27 attempts. It was also Dadonov’s first goal in 17 games.
Even though the VGK went just 1-for-5 on the power play last night, their puck movement was visibly better and with Jack Eichel, Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Marchessault together on the power play will eventually pay dividends.
Unfortunately, Dadonov’s PPG was the only goal Vegas scored, but it should have been enough for the win. But Lehner completely missed a wrist shot from 55 feet away that he wasn’t screened on and wasn’t deflected. It was also the Flyers’ first shot of the game. The other Flyer goal was just as atrocious. Robin, who’s not quick on lateral movements, overcommitted on Oscar Lindblom, who went around the net. Robin was slow to react and it turned into an easy goal and a 2-0 lead that Vegas never recovered from.
Take away these 2 goals that should have never been allowed and Dadonov’s goal would have been enough for the win and the important 2 points. The 2 points really work out to 4 points lost, because Calgary lost at home to the Washington Capitals.
The VGK are now down to needing 7 points in the remaining 4 games of this road trip. There is little room for error now and with Pittsburgh being the 2nd game of a back-to-back on Friday night, they will need to win in Buffalo, Columbus, and Winnipeg and hope for at least getting the game in Pittsburgh into overtime to accomplish the 11 points — a tall task. And with their scoring drought and the less-than-stellar goaltending, they’re not making it easy on themselves.
Vegas had a power play with 1:45 left, Coach DeBoer pulled Lehner for the extra skater and Vegas had a 6-on-4 man advantage and could not come up with the tying goal. Will you be watching their last game of the season on April 29 against St. Louis thinking, if we only had 2 more points, where would we be now? Well, let’s hope you don’t have to think about this game and these 2 points they threw out the window with the baby’s bathwater.
Other Game Notes and Quotes.
“We’ve got to find a way to score more than one goal,” DeBoer said. “And no even-strength goals. I think that’s the most important part. We pride ourselves on being a really good even-strength team, and we didn’t get enough done there tonight.”
DeBoer passed on throwing Lehner under the bus here. He’s well aware the 2 goals scored should have never been allowed.
Marchessault extended his point streak to six games (4G, 4A). Eichel had a game-high nine shots.
Carter Hart made an NHL career-high 47 saves for the Philadelphia Flyers.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Carter Hart (47 saves on 48 shots and a .979 save percentage), Oskar Lindblom (GWG on a wraparound, catching Lehner out of position), VGK power play, which looked much better with their puck movement and getting the puck into the bumper man multiple times)
Next game is Thursday 4 p.m. Pacific Time. It’s Jake Eichel’s return to Buffalo.
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
For more VGK content, check out the Hockey Knights in Vegas Podcast that can be found at this link or on my Facebook page.
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.
The first goal that Robin fanned on
The second Flyer goal that should have never happened
Dadonov’s PPG
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Kobe Hollenbeck wrote
Goaltending and scoring, gotta improve
Kobe Hollenbeck or else this team will be on the golf course sooner than expected.
Joe P.
Kevin Logan agreed with Kobe
Exactly, 👍🏽
That may be their plan. I think they are already booking early May tee times.
Drew Thrasher wrote
been saying it for weeks, no offense, were almost full strength too
Drew Thrasher, YIKES, when you think about this it’s a problem.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher added more to the conversation
Joe Pane can’t score more than 2pts a game, didn’t you see the graphic last night only 4 goals in the 3p since Feb 7?
Drew Thrasher, I did, and this is a major concern. If you think scoring is tough now wait till the playoffs start and the ice becomes smaller, and scoring is reduced.
Drew Thrasher added this comment on the gaming side of these VGK games
Someone somewhere is making a shit load betting against the knights
Drew Thrasher also said
Joe Pane yeah that’s why I made the comment about barely beating the senators in regulation
Drew Thrasher continued
Joe Pane that’s why they need to fire the coach and get a new system in before the playoffs
Drew I would be shocked if DeBoer is shown the door. He has had a battered lineup the entire season. The only coach that may be in trouble is their power- play coach Steve Spott but last night the power-play actually looked much better especially with their puck movement.
Joe P.
I believe it’s Ryan Craig that coaches the Power play, which he did under Coach Gallant. I just read that Steve Spott coaches the PK.
Yes, Shaun Steve Spott came over with DeBoer from San Jose where he ran the Sharks power-play.
Joe P.
Pat Micali sent this comment in
Think we need a new coach and get rid of Dadanov, they’re both useless.
Drew Thrasher responded to Pat
Pat Micali he’s supposed to be on third line, not the first
Pat Micali fired back
He shouldn’t be on any line, he sucks
Mike Guido had this opinion
Well on the bright side we just have to keep an eye on oilers ducks and canucks. I don’t care if we win the division let’s get into the playoffs. How Lehner let those two goals baffles me. Hart played his ass off. We hit him wherever we could. The biggest problem we are missing Stone. When he is in, we play on another level. He sparks the team. We need him back bigtime. He is the fuel to our engine! Im not making excuses. They will fix it.
Mike Guido, I hope you are correct but remember that Stone was almost a non-factor in last year’s playoffs.
Joe P.
Mike Guido responded
Joe Pane that was last year. We are a different team. We just need to get healthy. It’s a fact not an excuse that we have had injuries since the 2nd game of the year. We need to get healthy and start to roll. We haven’t peaked yet. Calgary and Colorado I believe are peaking too soon. We just have to get in. We are in third in the pacific. We have a veteran group that will bring it together.
Mike Guido I’m fully aware of the potential of this team but Lehner worries me he plays great one game and the very next game he looks like a minor league goaltender. Both goals last night are inexcusable.
Joe P.
Richard Santomauro sent this comment into Vegas Hockey Guy Facebook page
Two very soft goals. The first goal was triggered by poor defense (Hague). One of the goals was a long-distance wrist shot that was not screened and Lehner had eyes on the whole way. He just flubbed that one. The wrap around was inexcusable.
Vegas Hockey Guy responded
Richard Santomauro both goal that any NHL goaltender stops 99.9% of the time the .1 is Lehner 🙂
Joe P.
Joe,
While I agree that Lehner let in 2 goals he shouldn’t have, that’s not why the VGK lost. You’re not going to win many games this time of the season scoring only one goal. I made a prediction when McCrimmon gave Fleury away and traded for Eichel that the VGK would not make the playoffs. Fleury was the heart of the team, Lehner is not consistent and Eichel is not a good teammate!!
Shaun you are correct you are not going to win many games when you only score 1 goal. But last night was one of the nights that you would have won the game. Not sure why you believe that Eichel is not a good teammate do you personally know him or someone who played with Buffalo? An NHL Lockeroom is a special place that governs itself and very few stories come out about the players and the team that they don’t want made public.
Joe P.
Joe, I agree that last night was one of those games the VGK should have squeaked out with one goal. I do know someone who has connections to the Sabres.
Jacqueline Claire
Well Joe, what needs to be done? Seems to be a lack of consistency. Is it time for a shakeup? It’s seems in the past we have experienced shakeups much more rapidly and for less reason. Is it time to “trade” McCrimmon? I’m not having a good day and I’ve been wanting to say this for at least 8 months now. 😡
Jacqueline Claire, you have spoken, and you are not the only one who feels this way. It’s frustrating.
Joe P.
Marcy Gordon responded to Jacqueline Claire
I’m hopeful McCrimmon will take Steve Spott with him. Certainly, there’s no room for mediocrity or lack of focus.
Pamela Ann wrote
Only my opinion. The 2017 inaugural team had something to prove, and they proved it. Now we have egos bumping into each other. McCrimmon previously rose no further than the WHL coaching, I believe, and that was 29 years ago. Why he was put in as GM boggles my mind. He had a cohesive team that knew each other’s moves, strengths and weaknesses. He chases superstars that are pushing the VGK further and further from the cup.
Jacqueline Claire responded to Pamela Ann comment
Pamela Ann 💯
Brian Mishefske sent this in
Great article Joe I’m wore out from my post from yesterday.
Brian Mishefske, I know you were really engaged over the Full Moon article 🙂
Joe P.
Christopher Couch sent this opinion in of last night’s game and my article.
Perfect title, Perfect description of the game.
I just keep shaking my head.
Christopher Couch my neck hurts from my head going back and forth in disbelief.
Joe P.
Bill Jenkins wrote
Agreed. Too slow and too inconsistent.
Russ Love sent this comment into Vegas Hockey Guy Facebook page
I wish the flyers played the knights all 82 games, then they’d be undefeated. Didn’t Gallant get fired for doing better than Deboer’s high salary team. Seems like he can’t motivate this team. New coach time???
Vegas Hockey Guy responded
Russ Love the VGK are making the Flyers look like a decent hockey team. But smart hockey people are not fooled easily. The Flyers are TERRIBLE. Russ how about them NY Rangers with Gallant as their coach?
Joe P.
Johnny Lawless sent his opinion in on the state of this team
They don’t deserve the playoffs. Deboer is done. Replace him now if there is anyone that can spark this team. No leaders in sight.
Jim Devlin
Dumbest article I’ll read all day…
How about giving credit to a goalie stealing a game for Philly…
Jim Devlin read slower the next time, I made Hart the #1 Star of the game. speaking of dumbest. :):)
Joe P.
Jim Devlin responded
Joe Pane oh I read it. It’s just the same drivel as usual
Jim Devlin so you think my thoughts and opinions are nonsense, but you keep on reading it. Thank you for supporting my work it’s much appreciated
Joe P.
Greg Condon had a reply to Jim Devlin
Jim Devlin Hart never had to make a great save. Everything from the outside. Easy game for him.
Connie Dallas added this comment
What can I say…….I agree with you. As I said before…..it only takes 1 goal to win, but that was ridiculous. I think even Eichel was disgusted at the end. Hope they can pull something out of their hats to get a win against Buffalo et al. GKG
Brian Mishefske replied to Connie
Connie Dallas the offensive efforts where there just not the result. The positive note is back-to-back games with a power play goal!
The inconsistency of this team is concerning. They tend to play to the level of the other team and can’t get their head in the game if they are down a goal or two. There is a lack of passion and chemistry right now and like Marchy stated they can’t use excuses anymore. My only positive is the money I’ll save on not having to buy playoff games if they don’t make some changes pretty quickly
Kristen you are not alone with this opinion. Based upon the advisements on the Knight Tron during the game’s tickets are available now when in previous years that was not even an option. A number of STH that I know are not renewing their seats. They have had enough, seen enough, and spent enough
Joe P.
Brian Mishefske sent this comment in
Joe Pane, I wrote why we lost last night through my goalie eyes and most apparently played longer than me. Just frustrating because most on this group are wonderful people but I reach my limits on how horrible some are to each other over a favorite team chat.
Brian Mishefske very true they are quick to point fingers when it’s not called for.
Joe P.
Brian Mishefske responded
Joe Pane somebody spelled Lehner wrong, and it got ugly after that. Just a game and we are just fans, nothing wrong on giving an opinion but same team for god’s sake.
Brian I would be lost without spell check just saying.
Joe P.
Brian Mishefske wrote
Joe Pane, you know me well enough by now I’m no writer or English major. 😂
Hey Joe. Great recap.
First a big thank`s to Richard Santomauro who gave me a perfect link to see the game live.
This was the first game I was nervous everytime Flyers were on attack in Vegas zone.
Lehner has to step down or be traded away. He`s a liability.
I`ve always been on his side but enough is enough.
Even if Vegas shoots 80 shots at goal they can`t recover from two fumbles from Lehner.
The skill level is to low among the Vegas players. Even the lower ranked Flyers team could pass the puck to each other two or more times in a row.
Vegas is a dump and chase team except for on the PP when Eichel excels in passing the puck like no other VGK player is close to do.
I`ve never seen Pietrangelo so bad before. Why? Injured? Bored beyond his worst thoughts?
What if they don`t reach the playoffs?
Whe don`t have to watch an humiliation by a team Vegas used to wipe the floor with.
Trade for the next season before the deadline.
Tradebait?
Theodore; high value but trade him before the other teams figures out how bad he is. 5,2 M$
Lehner; good backup goalie still with a good reputation within the league . 5,0 M$
Dadonov; ?. Even my dead mother could have scored from that setup last night. Almost no upsides. 5,0 M$
Sorry, but where do you think I`ve got my screwed sense of humor from? She were my best friend, but she passed away in 1981 at the age of 50, is was 23 then. I´ll get away with it until I`m visiting her on the other side.
Hague; big and strong. Other teams might think he`s able to be a good defensive D-man but his hockey sense says no! New contract after this season. 0,8 M$
Kolesar; big and fairly strong. Has almost no skills at all. New contract after this season. 0,8 M$
Smith; PP, PK, point and Misfit-line chemistry. New contract after this season. 5,0 M$
Joe is the numbers guy. He can evaluate who`s getting the most return to the team in a trade.
I`m just thinking about how they perform.
Isn`t it an good idea to play Thompson in goal if Vegas doesn`t reach the playoffs? It`s an ideal time to see if he`s the future goalie.
Dr. Pane? Can I find it on Youtube?
Kenneth
If their intention is to bring Stone back into the lineup before the playoffs at least 2 contracts must be moved. If they keep him on LTIR until the playoffs begin, then they can stand pat. If they stand pat, they will lose Reilly Smith for ZILCH to free agency come this summer like they lost Fleury for ZILCH. The contracts that will bring the most in return via a trade is Reilly Smith and Shea Theodore. They cannot take a player back and will have to settle for prospects and or draft picks. A contract that can be moved is Dadonov but he will not fetch as much as Smith or Theodore would. If they are all in to win this year, they keep Stone out and do what Tampa Bay did. Stone knows the system and will be able to mesh back into the lineup a lot easier than if they kept Eichel out on LTIR. This is just my opinion as even though you believe I should be a consultant to McCrimmon and McPhee they still haven’t called yet 🙂
p.s. if they do happen to call you will be my right-hand man so keep your bags packed. 🙂
Joe P.
Hey Joe.
A right-hand sometimes need an assistant. My question is, can I bring Eva to come with me. We might need a soft voice to cool things down when we becomes a bit over entusiastic?
She`s a pretty good poker player and she would be happy to learn the trick of the trades from you.
The upcoming trades will tell which way they decide to take in the future, and future means in Vegas no longer than the ongoing season.
Maybe we can change the direction of the team for let`s say two seasons with a few changes, not an complete rebuild.
To pick a new starter in goal is the most important thing. Either trying out Thompson or trade for reliable goalie who can steal a game or two. Those doesn`t grow on trees and it`s a wellknown fact that goalies don`t go early in the draft because they have to be as good as for example Jesper Wallstedt. Minnesota picked him in 2021, 1st rd, 20th pk (20th overall). He`s a diamond in the rough.
Thompson seems to be a good young, goalie but he has almost no NHL experience. Give him a shot 😉 at it if everything goes south (Arizona?) in the rest of the season.
Just look at Demko how he handled it when he was thrown in when Markstrom was injured in the bubble 2020.
Before the playoffs he was a shaky back-up for Markstrom.
Now he`s a very good goalie by the NHL measures.
It`s gonna be an interresting time before the trade deadline.
I`m watching Tampa against Buffalo and the Lightning striked the Sabres early in the game. That caused a power failure in the Buffalo team. Tampa leads by five to nothing after two periods.
Buffalo next and let`s hope for the best.
We loose in Arizona and now in Philly scoring only one goal in both games. This team has no business making the playoffs this year. At least it will save me some money not buying playoff tickets. What a miserable year. I know you are going to blame it on injuries but they should be better than this.
Greg, these 2 games specify are examples of games that should have been won on any given night. I know some will say any team can beat any team, but these 2 teams have packed it in for the season and the VGK should be playing for their playoff lives. A first for them and they are not rising to the occasion of wining must win games. They may look back on these 2 games at the end of April and wish they had a better performance as it may have a great impact on them either making the playoffs or sneaking in as a wild card and facing a tough opponent in the first round.
Joe P.
To win a game in the NHL, it usually takes more than one or two goals. Scoring one goal and walking away with a win definitely doesn’t occur often. In fact, this only happened in 2.1% of all games (1,275 of 59,799). In contrast, losing while scoring once obviously happened much more frequently, accounting for 25.4% of all games (15,167 of 59,799). Another way to look at it is for every instance when a team scored once, they’ve only won 7.3% of the time (1,275 wins to 16,080 losses and ties).
Linda Ganz sent this short, but to the point comment in
💯 agree
Robert Franco has this opinion of what is going to happen by March 21st
Lehner is gone by March 21 or Management isn’t serious about making the playoffs or making a run if they limp in.
Robert Franco that would be a major move and one where they would be admitting they made a mistake in Lehner vs. Fleury
Joe P.
Allen A-z wrote this
Joe, your articles are always spot on. It’s like you’re reading my mind.
I hope we can rally and get some much-needed points soon.
Sara Borden Agas sent this comment in
I am a panda defender to the end! Make no mistake there but last night was a hard one to watch. I keep hoping that they can start stringing some wins together
Anna Simonelli Antolick wrote
Game loss is on Lehner, but Hart didn’t allow high danger secondary shots, despite all the VGK sogs.
Jacqueline Claire responded to Pamela Ann comment
Pamela Ann 💯
Jason Eubanks wrote
Well… the first line played out of their minds and have never played that well since… so the fact is that the Misfit line is the biggest reason the Knights don’t play as well as the team did in 2017. Stop blaming recent events when it’s William Karlsson as much as anything.
Damien Garrett wrote this about the power play
Steve Spott should be fired and bring in a new power play coach
When your goalie only allows two goals you should win the game..There is only one goalie allowing under two goals per game in the NHL..Thats Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers..He is at 1.93 GAA..So that is right around the 2 goals per game average..And his record is 28-6..The Knight’s special teams are killing them..They are ranked 24th on the PP and 18th on the PK..
Ed
The VGK special team which in their first few years was their strength, this season and part of the playoffs last season is no longer the case. Plus, their goaltending leaves a lot to be desired lately. The 2 goals against the Flyers should never have happened.
Joe P.
Richard Santomauro sent this in
Reality is beginning to sink in. It’s mid-March and the team is a complete mess. The team is older, injured and capped out. We have a legitimate 1st line Center in Eichel, but not a single winger who is qualified to be on the ice with him. Patches is close but is really a 2nd winger. Hague and Theodore have regressed on defense, and with Martinez out the defense isn’t good enough to cover up the inconsistent and average goaltending that McCrimmon has fielded. Robin Lehner posted an .870 save percentage between 1 Dec and 15 Jan, that’s when I wrote him off as a legitimate playoff contending starting goalie. He’s an overpaid backup now at $5 million/yr. McCrimmon actually took the heart and soul of this team, players who energized the crowd and the larger fan base and shipped them all off with the exception of Marchy who still inspires. The rest of them are a bunch of hockey business-like players who have not gel’d on the ice. You’re right Joe, the Flyers wouldn’t have scored a single goal, shouldn’t have. Yet, here we are 0-2 against the bottom feeding Flyers. I don’t see this edition of the VGK making the playoffs this year. If they happen to squeak in as a 3rd seed or playoff team it will be a short run.
Richard Santomauro, you have made valid points here the only area I have issue with is I believe Stone and Pacioretty are skilled enough to play with Eichel. Just Stone’s defensive player is valuable for a player like Eichel who is not shy about taking the puck. Pacioretty sniper shot prevents teams from overplaying on Eichel as they have to respect the Pacioretty shot. You can now see this on the power play with them both being on opposite sides of the ice. The puck movement is much better, and I believe it has a lot to do with them both being on the ice at the same time
Joe P.
Richard Santomauro responded
Joe Pane Okay Joe, but I am expecting 1 or 2 goals a game from that line, and we are not getting that yet.
Richard Santomauro patience, when you put Eichel between Pacioretty and Stone if you don’t start seeing goal in bunches than I give up 🙂
Joe P.
Dave Campoverde sent this in
DeBoer was given a true cup contender. Extra pieces put in play to roll 4 productive lines. When he benched Fleury for Lehner that was a dick move. I’d take fleury on his worst day over Lehner on his best. Nothing personal to both Lehner and DeBoer but they got to go. The team is on a downward spiral and flat spinning.