FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Ducks - Game 47

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs. Ducks – Game 47

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The red-hot Vegas Golden Knights looked to make it nine victories in a row against the struggling Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. Could Anaheim play spoiler and earn their fifteenth victory of the season?

First Period:  Hopefully, the VGK fans that made the trip to Southern California were in their seats before the game began, or they would have missed Chandler Stephenson’s goal just thirty-two seconds into the game. Max Pacioretty started the play by creating a turnover behind the Anaheim net and finding Stephenson at the top of the slot who beat goaltender John Gibson. Stephenson was not done scoring in the first period.  Shea Theodore sprung Stephenson on a breakaway and beat Gibson over his blocker.

2-0 Vegas at the end of the first.

Second Period:  Alex Peitrangelo seems to have more offensive contributions as of late.  He is not necessarily putting up the points, but he is creating opportunities. Peitrangelo created a turnover from just inside the VGK blueline, which led to a two-on-one with William Carrier. Peitrangelo was able to thread the needle, and Carrier buried the puck past Gibson.

Third Period:  Sam Steel scored on a scramble in front of the VGK net to give Anaheim life. However, goals by William Karlsson and Theodore not long after the Anaheim goal would remove any hopes of Anaheim crawling back into this one. VGK would go on to win 5-1.

It was a cruise control type of victory for VGK as they now have three days off until Wednesday’s pivotal game against the Colorado Avalanche. Robin Lehner was not largely tested on most of Anaheim’s twenty-four shots on goal.

Knights News, Notes, and Quotes:

“It’s an impressive run,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. “I don’t care who you’re playing to win nine in a row, and we’ve done it all kinds of different ways. The bottom line is I think our foundation has been good every night, which gives us a chance to win. Tonight was a real dig-deep win.“

“We’re going to be playing for something here right to the end of the season, fighting for first place,” DeBoer said. “I like that we’re playing the top end of the division here down the stretch. I think it’s going to get us ready.”

“It’s been a very draining season physically and mentally,” Chandler Stephenson said. “To be in the position we’re in, it’s nice to have clinched a spot already. I think everybody is looking forward to those games being rescheduled and getting some time off here and time away to relax. We’re going to recharge the engines.”

“I think the important thing is we’re getting offense throughout the lineup which, obviously, at this time of year going into the playoffs is important,” Alex Pietrangelo added.

Nicolas Roy and Tomas Nosek both left during the game with undisclosed injuries.  The three-day rest could not come at a better time.

Vegas extended its lead atop the Honda West Division to four points over Colorado, but the Avalanche have two games in hand. The rivals meet two more times this season, including Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. The game can be seen on NBC Sports Network and heard on FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340.

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-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media

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