FSM Essential Game Recap: VGK vs Buffalo Sabres - Game 65

Game Recap: VGK vs Buffalo Sabres

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Golden Knights (34-22-8)  Buffalo Sabres (29-26-8)

 

Friday night, the T-Mobile Arena hosted the Buffalo Sabres, who were in town to face the burning hot Las Vegas Golden Knights.

 

In the second of a five home game stretch, the sold-out crowd was drooling with anticipation as they waited to see if the Golden Knights could win their eighth straight game, which would tie the longest winning streak franchise history. Unfortunately for  Knights’ fans, their team would have to do it without All-Star player Mark Stone, who was ruled out for the game to rest a lower-body injury. Vegas would also sit Goalie Mark-Andre Fleury, giving newly acquired Goalie Robin Lehner his first start as a Golden Knight.

Lehner, after returning to the NHL from dealing with substance abuse issues, went 16-10 for the Chicago Blackhawks, until he was traded before the deadline earlier this week to the Golden Knights. The move helped bolster the Vegas roster going into the playoff race with Vancouver and Edmonton.

But nobody in the ‘Fortress’ Saturday night expected the Sabres to jump out on the hometown Knights scoring first. Ex-Pittsburgh Penguin Dominik Kahun scored on the first shot of the game for either team two minutes into the first period, putting the Sabres on top 1-0. They held the lead until an even-strength goal by Nicholas Roy for the Golden Knights tied the game 1-1.
That would be the last time Buffalo would score, and by then, the Golden Knights had all but ended the game.

 

After a scoreless second period, the Knights did what they have done every game since the beginning of their win streak. They exploded in the third period.

 

This time the Golden Knights put up three straight goals, beginning with a William Karlson score with Max Pacioretty on the assist. The Other two were put in by Star Right winger Rielly Smith, who’s starting in place of the injured Mark Stone, both goals extended his season total to 27.

Buffalo would put one more goal up with 22 seconds left in the third, but by then the game was out of reach, giving the Golden Knights their eighth straight win. The victory extended the Golden Knights hold on the pacific division, with Vegas having 80 points, giving them a six-point lead over Edmonton and Vancouver’s 74 points. This game wraps up a productive February for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who went 10-3 in the month, jumping from fourth in the Pacific to first place with a nice cushion between them and their division opponents.

March, however, will be a much more critical month of games, with the Golden Knights playing a significant amount of division opponents. As the playoffs come closer, and closer division games become more important. March will be the month that the Knights solidify their position at the top of the Pacific. They have to continue to play this dominant style of hockey all the way through.

First, the Golden Knights will prepare to play division rival L.A Kings, who haven’t played well this season sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Division. The L.A., L.V. rivalry has always inspired both teams to play their best hockey, so fans are still excited for the Sunday night matchup.

 

The game will take place at the T-Mobile Arena Sunday, March 1st at 7:30 PM

 

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– JaRon Turner – Franchise Sports Media 

 

 

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