Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators
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The Vegas Golden Knights traveled north to play the Ottowa Senators to continue their eight-game road stretch. This game was the debut of the Golden Knights new head coach Peter DeBoer and amid the controversial firing of head coach Gerard Gallant. Coach DeBoer and his team came out focused and prepared to play. Within the first 30 seconds of the first period, Centerman Paul Stastny scored a short goal off of a swarming start by the Golden Knights.
For the next 39 minutes of the game, both teams stiffened on defense, trying to find an opening of which to take advantage. The Senators missed an open shot on goal at 2:00 in the second that could have tied the game 1-1, yet as fortune would have it on his return to Ottawa, Mark Stone scored at 1:05 left in the second to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Senators going into the third period of play.
For most of the game, the Golden Knights dominated the ice with more aggressive play, pinning the Senators in their side of the ice for the majority of the game, leading the game in shot attempts on goal. By the time Mark Stone scored the second goal, extending the lead, the Knights had outshot the Senators 36-18, scoring two goals.
The struggles for the Senators continued, as it had been for the last month and a half with their eight-game losing streak. During which Ottawa surrendered, on average, three goals per game, giving up two goals in two periods. Their shortcomings at the goalie position have kept them from victory, losing every game they’ve played in 2020 so far.
Ottawa had another opportunity to score with a power-play after Winger Reilly Smith was penalized for hooking Thomas Chabot. However, Forward Chandler Stephenson had other plans intercepting the puck at center ice, for a fast break score extending the lead further to 3-0. Ottawa showed some resiliency, storming back with good passing opening up Vladislav Nametnikov to score with 13:08 left in the game, making it 3-1.
From that point on, the Senators ramped up their attack to try and crawl their way back into the game. They were ultimately undone by a late goal from Golden Knight by star Winger Ryan Reaves, his sixth of the season, that restored the four-goal lead.
The Senators would score one more goal with 7:30 left in the game during a power play to close the lead to 4-2. By then it was too late, and the Golden Knights ended their four-game losing streak, while Ottawa continued their streak, now with nine losses in a row.
The Vegas Golden Knights played well from start to finish, playing more aggressive offense and attacking the Senators from the first face-off. They held a shot advantage through the game keeping the Senators at arm’s length. Las Vegas played much better defensively against the power play, killing two out of four, maintaining their lead. Goalie play was much better tonight than it had been in recent games, star goalie Mark-Andre’ Fleury blocked 12 direct shots on goal and the rest team defensively save 33 shot on goal during the game.
Tonight was an important win, giving Peter DeBoer’s debut as the new head man for the Golden Knights the start he and all of the fan base wanted. The test continues with the Golden Knights traveling to Montreal to take on the 21-21-7 Canadians, a team that statistically matches up much better than the slower and shorthanded Senators. If the Knights play as they did Thursday, coach DeBoer’s team will continue their road stretch with more victories.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators
Las 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. 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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