FSM Essential Game Recap: VGK vs Florida Panthers - Game 56

Recap: VGK vs Florida Panthers

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Thursday night the Golden Knights (27-21-7) traveled down the sunshine state from Tampa Bay to Ft. Lauderdale to play the Panthers (29-17-6). The Knights were coming off a hard-fought loss to the top-rated Tampa Bay Lightning (32-15-5). The Las Vegas Golden Knights, in the spirit of the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs recorded an explosive third period; completely overwhelming the Florida Panthers 7-2 to improve to 28-21-7.

The game began with the Knights coming out the gate fast with a goal by Mark Stone within the first three minutes of the game. However, the high scoring Panthers tied the game on a power play, with a Mike Hoffman goal at 3:44 in the first period to tie the game 1-1 going into intermission.

Coming out of the intermission Mark Stone scored his second quick goal in the beginning of the second period. Again the Panthers found a way to respond, with centerman Vincent Trochek tying the game 2-2. Little did the Panthers know, they wouldn’t score again for the rest of the night after the Golden Knights would net another goal with 7:42 left in the second, taking the lead to 3-2.

Coming out of the second intermission the Golden Knights completely took over the game, with two special-teams goals–one on a power play and the other on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Shea Theodore. The story of the night was the outstanding game played by Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, who both recorded two goals apiece and accounting for five of the Golden Knights seven points.

With a great defensive showing by Mark-Andre Fluery, who recorded his 460th win Thursday night, and crew, Las Vegas smothered, disrupted, and routed a high scoring Panther team who averaged almost four goals a game. The Knights limiting the Panthers’ shot opportunities, never let them get into a rhythm and shut the Panthers out in the third period while limiting them to two goals all game.

Thursday nights’ game, was definitely a confidence builder for the Golden Knights as they finish out their eight-game road stretch an even 4-4, however, showing major improvements and finding their groove at a crucial point in the season.

Game Preview: Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes – Game 57

With only 26 games left to play and playoff spots on the line, Las Vegas will return home after that crushing victory over a very talented Florida team. The Carolina Hurricanes (31-20-3) have been waiting to strike back at the Golden Knights since they defeated them in Carolina two weeks ago.

This game will be tonight at T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, for the first time over three weeks. With the latest state of play the Knights have been enjoying under Coach Peter DeBoer, the Hurricanes will have to find a way to make their shots count this time around. Vegas has outshot seven out of eight of the road teams they played during their stretch, Carolina one of them, and have physically dominated the ice defensively, giving them more chances on goal them all of their recent opponents.

The Hurricanes will also have to account for the Knights’ trio of shooters in Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, and Max Pacioretty, all of whom have over 20+ goals on the season. While the Knights have played well, their team still needs to tighten up defensively on scatter plays where the opposing team finds a way to get goalie Mark-Andre Fleury out of the net with no backside help. The tendency was seen a lot during the Tampa Bay game and led to the Lightning hitting a 20 ft shot with the Knights’ Goalie stuck outside of the net.

Although Carolina is not as physically imposing or opportunistic as Tampa Bay, the Hurricanes can open lanes to make shots on goal and have played well down the stretch. So the pressure will be on whether the Golden Knights can continue their stellar defensive play and again defeat a Carolina Hurricanes team that will be hungry for a victory.

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Vegas! If you want another great place to watch the game, head to Al’s Garage in Summerlin. There are multiple televisions to watch all the games. On the weekends, Al’s has “Happy Hour” starting at 9 AM and ending at 9 PM. Al’s Garage is located at 11760 W. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. Tell them, “The Franchise sent you!!”

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