FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Coyotes - Game 4

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs. Coyotes- Game 4

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The Vegas Golden Knights went into tonight’s game with a 9-4 all time record against the Arizona Coyotes in what would be their second out of eight matchups this season.  After a few minutes of both teams feeling each other out, the Knights accomplished something they hadn’t done so far this season.

Just over five minutes into the game VGK registered a goal from Shea Theodore, which was their first goal by a defenseman this season. Alex Tuch had the puck along the boards behind the net and pulled off a nice spinning backhand pass to Alec Martinez, who then delivered it over to Theodore seeing him hammer in a one-timer shot to open up the scoring.

The next couple of minutes saw Mark Stone break up a dangerous scoring chance, and Fleury make two saves in a row in acrobatic fashion. Shortly after, Alex Pietrangelo potted his first goal as a Golden Knight off of a juicy rebound following a shot by Alex Tuch. The two goals were separated by three minutes and fifteen seconds and all of a sudden the Knights went from no goals from a defenseman to two.

VGK were gifted a power play at the halfway mark but were unable to convert. Fleury made another solid save in the waning minutes of the first period off a trying shot from Osterle in the slot. The Knights went into the intermission leading the shot total 9-5 and looked very in control.

VGK were given another powerplay in the opening minutes of the second period with a chance to further their lead. They had some good movement on the outside and were able to set up a few one timers but were not able to convert. 

About 6 minutes in Fleury made one of his finer saves of the season kicking aside a very dangerous chance from Jakob Chychrun. Shortly after that McNabb took a holding penalty which sent the Yotes to their first powerplay of the game. VGK proceeded to have an excellent penalty kill holding Arizona to no shots with the man advantage.

The Knights were rewarded for their penalty kill just a few minutes later. Mark Stone scored his 2^nd goal of the season from a great pass by Pachioretty, which he followed up with a great deke to put it in behind Kuemper. Yet the Coyotes responded by showing some life after Nick Schmaltz put one past Fleury following a VGK turnover behind their net.

Mark Stone showed why he was picked as Captain shortly after as he caused a turnover in the neutral zone, deked and just barely missed a backhanded shot, and then proceeded to draw a penalty. Even though he didn’t score, the captain showed just how valuable he can be with a play like that. The Knights didn’t score off their powerplay opportunity which brings them to 0-10 so far on the season. Powerplays can take a while to get in sync, but that is an area where you can expect them to improve upon in the not too distant future.

VGK opened up the final frame with another great penalty kill which shouldn’t be surprising as they enter the period with a +7 goal differential in 3rd periods this season.

Shortly into another Arizona Coyote powerplay, Stephenson drew a penalty which led to a goal by Theodore while skating 4 on 4 for his 2^nd goal of the game and the season. Not too long after that marker, Alex Tuch scored the Knights first powerplay goal of the season, ending their three-game streak without a goal while on the man advantage.

Phil Kessel managed to give the Yotes some hope later in the period off a great redirection of Chychrun’s shot, but that was the closest they would get to tying it up.

The Knights finished off the rest of the third period without any hiccups and had 10 different players register a point. VGK also broke their franchise record for their longest winning streak to start a season with their fourth straight win. This was the type of game you want to see from the Knights as they never trailed and built a commanding lead by the end of the game.

VGK and the Arizona Coyotes will continue their four-game seriesFriday night at Gila River Arena. The Knights head into the game with a 4-0 record and are in first place in the Honda West division. The puck drop is set for 6 p.m. on AT&T SportsNet and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340.

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-DJ Wood – Franchise Sports Media

Follow DJ on Twitter @Djwoody97

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