New Game Preview: Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets - Game 69

Game Preview: Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets

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Golden Knights (37-23-8) vs Jets (34-28-6)

All is well in the Fortress.

Following a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Kings that snapped an 8-game winning streak Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights bounced back with an important victory over the New Jersey Devils Tuesday to close a four-game home stretch. In doing so, the Knights avoided what could have been a second straight trap game that may have derailed what they have been building throughout the second half of the season.

Newcomer Robin Lehner earned his first shutout of the season as the team’s newest goalkeeper.  Lehner’s 27-save performance came at a time when scoring has been hard to come by for the Knights’ offense. This goes to show that the team is finding ways to win late in the season and things are coming together in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Even as they deal with key injuries and tough losses, the Knights continue to hold on to first place in a tight race for the top of the Pacific Division and they control their own destiny.  The Edmonton Oilers, who have played the same amount of games as the Golden Knights, are only 2 points behind first place in the division.

The Golden Knights now head to Canada Friday night in the first of five tough road games, the first three of which are in the Great White North. 

First up are the Winnipeg Jets who play the Golden Knights for the second of two games between the two teams this season.  Their last encounter saw the Jets defeat the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in a come-from-behind overtime victory on November 2nd.  During that game early in the season, the two teams were struggling to stay consistently above .500 as they each searched for an identity.  

On that night, the Golden Knights were made aware of their defensive woes.  Though they were up 3-1 at the end of the 2nd period, the Knights let up two goals in the 3rd and were unable to hang on in overtime, eventually losing 4-3.  Malcolm Subban had a busy night, making 35 saves, but was unable to withstand the offensive onslaught of the Jets and succumbed to their relentless striking as they skated right past the Golden Knights’ backline

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Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor was the star that night, scoring three points, with two assists, and the game-winning goal in overtime.  Mark Scheifele also had the game-tying goal in the 3rd period.  Both skaters have led the Jets’ offense all season with each scoring over 70 points for the year, more than any player on the Vegas roster.  Patrik Laine also played outstanding hockey that night, recording seven shots on goal and an assist in the Jets’ victory.  The Golden Knights will have to play sound defense in order to keep the Jets’ strikers in check this time around.

Since that time, the two teams have drifted apart and been presented with vastly different fates. The Jets have remained relatively stuck in their ways, staying in the middle of the pack and struggling to remain playoff contenders, as they cling on to the last wild card spot in the Western Conference. 

The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have enjoyed a prosperous second half since Head Coach Peter DeBoer took the reins in mid-January, and the team has since fortified the backline, adding defender Alec Martinez, who has led the team in blocks since his debut on February 20, and is second in hits recorded in that span behind Brayden McNabb.  Martinez has also made his presence known on offense with multiple points scored since joining the Knights.

The Golden Knights will look to start a new winning streak Friday night at 5:00 against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place.

Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets     Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets     Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets     Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets     Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets

-Leo Schauer – Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas! If you want another great place to watch the fights, head to Al’s Garage in Summerlin. There are multiple televisions to watch all the games. 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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