FSM Essential Recap: VGK vs Blues – 8/7/2020
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The Golden Knights defeated the St. Louis Blues in their second round-robin game by a score of 6-4. Vegas moved to 2-0 and St. Louis to 0-2 in round-robin play.
Vegas outshot St. Louis by a margin of 13-5 in the first period but were down 1-0 going into the first intermission. Former Knight, David Perron scored on a slapshot from between the circles that Marc Andre Fleury would love to have had back. Although trailing 1-0, Vegas had many chances, and it felt like they would breakthrough. Colton Parayko found the back of the net to open the scoring early in the second period when Chandler Stephenson failed to clear the puck.
The second goal by the Blues was the wakeup call Vegas needed. Vegas would score three straight goals in the next six and a half minutes. Shea Theodore would start the scoring, followed by Alex Tuch’s first and second goals of the postseason. Vegas would hold the lead for less than a minute when Parayko tallied his second goal of the contest. Fleury looked like a fish out of water as he tried to cut down the angle, Parayko scored on a wraparound with little effort.
It would only take twenty-one seconds for St. Louis to reclaim the lead when Nick Holden failed to clear the puck up the boards. Troy Brouwer scored on a one-timer that Fleury had zero chance to save. Vegas outshot the Blues 14-8 in the second period but found themselves down 4-3. Zach Whitecloud recorded his first career playoff goal just over two minutes into the third period, which would tie the game. Mark Stone notched the game-winning goal with seven minutes, twenty-nine seconds remaining. Theodore would add the insurance marker with just over five minutes remaining.
It is hard to find positivity in a goalie’s performance after giving up four goals on seventeen shots. Fleury looked bad on two of the goals by the Blues. If Robin Lehner shuts down the Avalanche on Saturday, there is a good chance he starts game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs next week.
With the win, Vegas has clinched no worse than the second seed in the Western Conference when the Stanley Cup Playoffs start, and another win would mean the top seed. The 12th seed, Chicago Blackhawks, and 11th seed, Arizona Coyotes, currently lead in each of their series 2-1. If Vegas can find a win Saturday, they will most likely play the Coyotes or Blackhawks in the first round.
VGK seemed extremely relaxed on the ice, and this was on display while Carrier’s no-look between the legs goal was under review.
VGK had some solid goaltending and defense in the exhibition game and first round-robin game. While the Blues had only scored one goal total in their exhibition match and round-robin game, overall. Vladimir Tarasenko was also scratched. The Avalanche will be very tough on both sides of the puck on Saturday. VGK will need to buckle down to get a win and clinch the top seed in the west.
Next up for the Golden Knights is their third round-robin match against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The game can be seen on AT&T Sports Net with the start time yet to be determined.
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-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media
Twitter: TDChrisG
