A lot of things occurred last night that were out of the norm in the VGK 2-1 last-second victory over the Ottawa Senators, when Jack Eichel scored with 5.2 seconds left in the game. To amplify this abnormality, the last time the VGK scored a game-winning goal this late in a game that was not decided in overtime/shootout was when Shea Theodore scored with just 3 seconds left in a game vs. Tampa Bay way back on December 19, 2017.
My list of abnormalities may not be the same as yours, but a lot of the following occurrences have been few and far between, especially in games at T-Mobile.
Just the fact that the VGK won a game at T-Mobile is first on my list. Last night’s win was just their 16th in 32 games. On the flip side, the VGK have won 16 of 25 games on the road (16-8-1).
Second, the VGK were credited with 41 hits last night. We’re all fully aware that this season, the VGK have avoided body contact like it was a state mandate ordered by the governor to help in preventing the spread of COVID.
The VGK over the last 15 games averaged just 19 hits per game, so 41 was the full-moon number.
Third, Jack Eichel’s game-winning goal was on the power play, about which I won’t beat a dead horse. The VGK’s 1 goal in 2 power plays compares to 2 PPG in the 37 chances before Eichel’s.
Fourth, the VGK had 42 shots on Ottawa goaltender Anton Forsberg, who was outstanding in stopping 40 of the 42 shots he faced. Fellow countryman Robin Lehner completed the Swedish goaltending duel, stopping all but 1 of the 40 shots he faced. Robin Lehner actually stopped the shot by Brady Tkachuk, but it slithered through his pads and crossed the goal line for Ottawa’s only goal and it came on the power play.
Vegas finally scored on their 21st shot at the 6:46 mark of the second period on Jonathan Marchessault’s team-leading 24th goal of the season. Just 47 seconds later, Michael Amadio took a tripping penalty that led to Tkachuk’s PPG, sending the teams into the 3rd period all tied up at 1-1.
Fifth, if I’d told you before the game that a combined 80 shots would lead to two goals with just 6 seconds left in the game, you might’ve wondered if there was a full moon over Las Vegas. But Jake Eichel’s last-minute goal sent the 17,909 in attendance into a frenzied moon dance.
Sixth, Jack Eichel took a big hit in last night’s game, which showed that he appears to be fully recovered from his neck surgery. The hit was delivered by none other than Max Pacioretty in Mark Stone-like jubilance over the last-second heroic. Pacioretty’s shoulder-to-shoulder check sent them both crashing to the ice. Just what this team needed — two of its big guns hurt during a celebration. But on a night of strange occurrences, they both got up and dusted themselves off.
The seventh and final abnormality was Lehner’s spectacular play. Lehner has been struggling with lingering injuries, but last night he looked like the Robin Lehner that can take this team through 4 rounds of the playoffs. Yes, I know the competition last night was the Ottawa Senators, but let’s give credit where credit is due; Robin was lights out last night, especially on his glove save in the 3rd period with the game tied at 1-1. If that save is not made, the game possibly goes in the wrong direction, as the mindset of the VGK currently might not have been able to handle a late 3rd period goal pushing their back up against the wall.
I said prior to these last 2 games that in this 7-game block of 6 road games and this one at T-Mobile, the VGK needed to earn at least 11 out of the 14 points if they were to make the playoffs. They’ve now gotten the first 4.
Other Game Notes and Quotes
”That’s what you miss, just making a difference,” Eichel said. ”You’re just trying to help the team win. As a competitor, you miss competing and being out there and having moments like that, helping win hockey games.”
“It’s kind of the first time I’ve been in a situation like this where every game means something,” Eichel said. “Every team seems to be winning and you just need to keep trying to find two points every night.”
“It was a must-win tonight,” Marchessault said. “We’re chasing a couple of teams and we want to make it to the playoffs. It’s that time of year that good teams find a way to win and tonight we did.”
“Even though they had a lot of shots and some chances in the third, I think we were a little more patient than some other nights,” Lehner said. “I think some of our losses could’ve been wins lately. We’ve just got to get back to our Vegas swagger and confidence and just know we’re going to win.”
My 3 Stars Of The Game: Robin Lehner (who stopped all but 1 of the shots he faced), Jack Eichel (GWG and just what the VGK needed in a game they could not afford to lose), Anton Forsberg (stopping 40 of 42 shots)
Next game is Tuesday vs. Philadelphia Flyers at 4 pm.. Pacific Time
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.
Marchessault goal off a blocked shot
Lehner spectacular glove save in the 3rd period
Eichel GWG with 5.2 seconds left
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Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.
Jack mastered his hockey stick. BUT – it was the Senators who outplayed us badly in the 3 rd after playing Saturday!
I can’t understand the lack of “ fight” in our Knights.
Yes, we probably would have won in OT/SO but we should have won by 4 or 5 goals. Instead we got lucky!
Kevin Logan added this
Awesome take on the game Joe, BTW I remember that game with TB, the look on TB coaches face was priceless!!
Kevin Logan It was a moment that made the crowd at T-Mobile realize we have got something special going on with these Misfits. Remember Tampa Bay was a legit powerhouse back in 2017 and remain that way today.
Joe P.
Very true Marcy and it was Robin Lehner who held the Senators at bay in the 3rd period setting up the dramatic last second goal a power play goal nevertheless to win it.
Joe P
Drew Thrasher responded to my question
we should have blown those fools out of the water they’re not good by any means
It was for sure a lot closer than it should have been and that’s why I asked was there a full moon Drew Thrasher.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher responded to my comment
Joe Pane yeah you could tell at the end of the game. They did not want to lose that one
Drew Thrasher if they lost last night that would have been a devastating loss that might have sunk the season, one that they might not have been able to recover from going forward. It was clear the players knew that just in the way the mobbed Eichel, he saved their bacon.
Joe P.
Panda stole that game tonight..On any given night in the NHL, any team can win..Ottawa has wins this year against these playoff bound teams–MN,WAS,CALG,FLA,TOR,TAMPA,COLO,PIT,DAL(twice) and CAR(twice)..
Kevin Logan added this
Awesome take on the game Joe, BTW I remember that game with TB, the look on TB coaches face was priceless!!
Half Pen Knee in response to Kevin Logan recalling the Tampa Bay game
Was at both! Great moments
Half Pen Knee, 2 special nights glad you got to see both in person.
Joe P.
Kevin Logan It was a moment that made the crowd at T-Mobile realize we have got something special going on with these Misfits. Remember Tampa Bay was a legit powerhouse back in 2017 and remain that way today.
Joe P.
Christopher Couch suggested it was more than the full moon
I think the sun, moon and stars all aligned to bring us the VGK we all know and love last knight.
I like your take even better Christopher Couch it was a strange night at T-Mobile. The Senators gave up 8 goals the day before to the Arizona team that is clearly in need of a rebuild and a new building.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher if they lost last night that would have been a devastating loss that might have sunk the season, one that they might not have been able to recover from going forward. It was clear the players knew that just in the way the mobbed Eichel, he saved their bacon.
Joe P.
Drew Thrasher responded
Joe Pane yep, I’m sure he saved DeBoer’s job to
Drew Thrasher I’m not sure that DeBoer would lose his job not only this late in the season but considering the vast number of injuries there is a longer leash on the coaches. Take Steve Spott as a prime example. He must be playing the injury card as AA pre-flop all-in to a raise in front of him.
Joe P.
Seann La Mar wrote
Eichel doing Eichel things
Seann La Mar if this is what Eichel has in store for the VGK fans they are in for a treat.
Joe P.
Thanks ,Joe 🙏. Very well said!!🖤🍁🧡🇨🇦🙌🙌🏒🥅🐼🥇#goKnightsgo #
Lynda Israel
Fun interview. Thanks. 🤠❤️🏒
Had this to say about our podcast interview with Deryk Engelland that can be found with the link at the bottom of this article.
Lynda Israel he was good, candid and enjoyable to interview. Eddie Rivkin and I stopped by to see him last night to personally thank him and he was nothing but gracious. Even said he would like to come back on in the future. Which of course Eddie and I loved to hear.
Joe P.
Lynda Israel responded
Joe Pane, you bet. See if you can get Max to interview. 🤠
Lynda
Eddie and I have request in with the team for additional players and broadcasters as upcoming guest. But with their jam-packed schedule not sure how successful we will be. Snagging Engelland was not as difficult as his scheduled is not as busy as the players will be during these last few weeks.
Joe P.
Nice meeting you last night! It’s been a while since I have attended a game in my season seats. I was in Mexico for several months, and my knee is pretty shot (being replaced soon). You definitely get a different perspective of the game in person. This was the first time seeing Eichel live in person and he’s every bit the top line center that can make a difference. However, the biggest takeaway last night was the frustration that he obviously had, especially in the first period. In the first period he made at least 3 fantastic setups to wingers who fanned or simply were out of position. The one that really underlined the issue was the one pass from behind Forsberg to the right to Pacioretty who just wasn’t ready for it. Analysis? The Golden Knights do NOT have a true 1st line winger on the roster, period. Yeah, I said it. Pacioretty comes closest to that, but it was his pass to Eichel who got the game winner. The truth about last night is that the VGK played a beat up and tired Ottawa club who took a lot of shots, the majority of which were not high danger. Credit Lehner for two outstanding saves, shots that he normally blows. Don’t even get me started on #90, I won’t be negative after a good performance against one of the weaker teams in the league. Marchy continues to impress and is the hardest working player on the roster, at least in my opinion. Lastly, if I see Petro or any other defenseman throwing pucks that are easily blocked or caught at the goal with no one providing a screen I am going to scream. The offensive strategy is super boring because we simply do not have any top line wingers on this team. I can’t remember the exact point in the game, but Amadio was wide open to the right of Forsberg with an open net and Theodore tried to blast a puck from the blue line through 4 or 5 skaters. This team is lacking top line wingers, the goaltending is average at best and the defense just isn’t going to be good enough this year against Calgary, the Kings, Colorado or Dallas in a 7 game series. I am a season ticket holder and it’s been disturbing to see all of the team chemistry get sent packing (Gallant, Fleury, Reaves, Schmidt, Haula, Nosek, and yes even Holden whose numbers on Ottawa are pretty decent). McCrimmon is running out of chess moves. Joe, I will be at the March 19th game vs the Kings next. DM your seats, ok?
Hey Richie.
I`m with you on most of your opinions.
They need to prove that they are worthy of our blind faith in them.
Ottawa isn´t a team Vegas will meet if they reach the playoffs.
Against teams like the Habs last season or how Vancouver and the Blues in the bubble the season before, the Knights showed they had more than a hard time to unlock defensive minded teams.
Ottawa and the Ducks aren`t exactly good defensively. There have been a few good swedish goalies in the Sens system over the last years. Murray, who competed out Fleury in Pittsburgh 2017, has been injured a lot of his time in Ottawa. The reason might be a result of overworking him. Otherwise the swedish goalies Forsberg (the e is pronounced like the e in the word error) and Gustavsson are also misused by the coach.
The goalies in Ottawa gets preparated before a game by being overhauled with shots from a puckshotmachine.😉😀
Sorry to hear about your knee.
I`ve gone through one surgery in my neck (hello Eichel, yes the same as his) and one in my lower back (not my a..😅).
I`m more concerned about your throat if you like me starts screaming at the D-men shooting at an unscreened goalie.
Even my girlfriend Eva join me in the “Choir of Lament” when Shea Fumbledore makes the same mistakes game in and game out.
He has honed that tradition since the 17/18 season.
If you drink a shot of a good single malt at every mistake he does you`ll save your throat from any pain.
At least you´ll have some fun while watching Vegas play.
I envy you when you`re able to see Vegas play at the Fortress. TV is just a bad substitute for me as I can`t see the whole ice surface.
Richie-Rich
It was a pleasure meeting you and putting a face to your insightful comments about the VGK. Your seats afford you a up close look at the game especially at the end of the ice where the VGK shoot twice. So, you get double the frustration watching shots from way outside and on the permitter where most NHL goaltenders will have no trouble seeing and stopping if they are not screened or the shot is redirected. My seats are in the press box which is way up. I hope your knee recovers and allows you more access to seeing games live at T-Mobile. As Kenneth said watching on TV just does not give this game justice.
Joe P.
Hey Joe great recap.
Couldn`t see the game on TV in Sweden. It`s the same thing the next two games against Philly and Buffalo.
I`m glad that I`ve found you on the Internet, you`re the lighthouse in the darkness of the wide, wide world of the Vegas Golden Knights.
No, I`m not payed by Joe!
I think I saw something no one seems to have noticed when Tkachuk scored. He put in (not Putin!) his stick between the pads of Lehner and the puck went in very slowly. At most sites on the net they`ve stated that Lehner did it all by himself. Maybe they just don`t like him?
There are better odds on an injury to Pacioretty at the team-hug than on Eichel who`s got even stronger at the disc. I know you know!
Full moon fever? I can see Eichel in sideburns and overgrown eyebrows. He would be a look-alike to Wolverine in the X-Men movies.🐺🤣 He`s the sharpest knife in the Vegas kitchen so to speak.
Ken,
Check out this url, it is free and you can see games….
nhl66.ir
I use it all the time.
Kenneth
Yes, you are not paid by me for your insightful comments on the VGK, but they are very much appreciated. As far as the team hug went, I held my breath when they both went crashing down to the ice, especially Pacioretty as he has missed so many games over his time with the VGK. On the other hand, I’m not a doctor but I did play one on TV (JK) he appears to be fully healed and as strong as one could ask for. I have been called a lot of things over the course of my life but being called a “Lighthouse is a first.
Thanks again
Joe P.
Mary Becker added this comment to the blog
Eichel is obviously in the elite player. But it’s a team sport yes, he’s going to make a big difference in our team but let’s not make our team about him. I want our team to be about our team. The overall picture of the game, it wasn’t fantastic. Yes, we had a lot of shots on goal and yes, their goaltender was outstanding but there’s still something missing.
Keith Westergaard responded to Mary
Mary Becker sometimes one win like this can get a team on a different path, fingers crossed that’s where we are at. I think it is also important to keep in mind that for a majority of Vegas “fans” it is never about the team as they prefer to single out individuals. For example, we would be winning if we had kept ________. Or we can’t because _______ was traded instead of ________. You already know who belongs in the blanks.
Mary Becker responded to Keith
Keith Westergaard yes, I think that game will put some spark in our team. And I understand exactly what you’re saying. It’s hard to lose a popular player but it’s harder even to lose game after game. Let’s hope the group we have together now can get us to the playoffs. No, I’m not hoping, I know they will get us to the playoffs
Damien Garrett sent this comment in
Hope that is a sign of things to come at the fortress. Great game from the boys. Especially that rocket from Eichel
Connie Dallas sent this opinion in
Spot on…….rotfl (Only need 1 goal to win!) GKG
Connie Dallas, I like your play on words 🙂
Joe P.
Brian Mishefske sent his opinion in
We played great thru 2 periods and Ottawa came out motivated for the 3rd, Panda was very sharp and held us in for 18 minutes. We regained our form to end the game and what a great call bye DeBoer to get us the winning goal. I thought Mad Max and Eichel had immediate chemistry and they created many scoring chances. Great article Joe and I would love your feedback. Go Knights
Russ Love talking about the VGK upcoming game vs. the Flyers on Tuesday
Flyers are playing so bad so my brother-in-law can get upper-level seats to the knights/ flyers game tomorrow for $14 😩
Russ
Yikes….. but truth be told the ticket prices for the VGK at T-Mobile have flattened and they are getting harder to sell even at just face value.
Joe P.
Barb Sinatra Burdo wrote this
Joe…..love reading your posts…. make me smile and nod my head YES in agreement
Barb Sinatra Burdo, thank you for taking the time to read and send in your opinions, glad I can make you smile and nod your head.
Joe P.
Erik Fredrickson wrote this
Maybe this is what pulls us out of the funk they’re in. A win is a win and two in a row is how you start a streak. That’s the type of win that start the momentum rolling in your favor.