FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Avalanche - Game 32

The game started off looking like Colorado would continue to build off the momentum they built from Thursday night’s blowout as the Avalanche opened up the scoring early. Just 1:16 after the puck had dropped, Jonas Donskoi entered the zone with speed and executed a curl and drag move past Brayden McNabb before beating Fleury’s short side to give his team the lead.

Fleury made up for it a few minutes later as he made some fantastic saves during a chaotic series of plays to keep it a one-goal game. With 5:22 remaining Gabriel Landeskog took a cross-checking penalty and gave the Knights a chance to even up the game. Alec Martinez was able to take advantage of the powerplay opportunity scoring off a one-timer shot; it was the VGK’s first powerplay goal since Reilly Smith’s overtime winner against the Blues awhile back.

With a little over two minutes left, Devon Toews gave his team the lead back after the Avs sustained pressure in the offensive zone, and he buried a one-timer from Nathan Mackinnon.

The Vegas Golden Knights did not let the late period goal affect them as they evened up the game shortly after the start of the second period.

Just over three and a half minutes into the middle frame William Carrier scored his second goal of the season after tipping in a great shot from Shea Theodore to tie the game up. Shortly after that, McNabb lined up one of his trademark huge hits on Andre Burakovsky, setting the tempo for the rest of the night. With 10:32 remaining, Graves was called for interference, and the VGK was given another chance with the man advantage; while they were not able to capitalize, they registered some high danger chance from both Max Pacioretty and Chandler Stephenson. Zach Whitecloud took an interference penalty with 7:29 remaining, but the Avs did not capitalize after Fleury robbed Donskoi and Toews to keep the game even heading into the third period.

The third period saw the Vegas Golden Knights take over momentum as they looked like the better team in the final twenty minutes of regulation.

Philip Grubauer and Marc Andre Fleury both made a pair of outstanding saves in the period’s opening minutes, with Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad being denied on grade-A chances. VGK was given two powerplay chances in a row in the first half of the period, and while they were unable to convert, the Knights were still able to continue building momentum throughout the rest of the period. In the final four minutes of regulation, Max Pacioretty and Alec Martinez both registered chances from high danger areas but fell short as they were either robbed by Grubauer or the post.

The game was still tied as time expired, so we got to witness some free hockey where the Knights were 5-0 in three on three situations this season. It took less than two minutes of extra time before Max Pacioretty scored the OT winner, good for his 18^th goal of the year, and awarded the Knights their sixth overtime win this year.

Looking Forward:

Vegas will resume play on Monday night as they return home to take on the Los Angeles Kings, who dropped two straight games to the San Jose Sharks last week. VGK holds the series lead so far this season as they have gone 3-1 against the Kings, with their latest matchup being a loss last Sunday.

Expect the Kings to play with desperation after losing two games to the hated Sharks while trying to fight their way back into a playoff spot down the stretch. Look for Vegas to get a fast start on the Kings after allowing them to score the first two goals of their last matchup and play with the lead early.

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play Monday evening against The Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be on AT&T Sportsnet and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340.

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-D.J. Wood– Franchise Sports Media

Follow D.J. on Twitter @DJwoody97

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