FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Canadiens - Game 63 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Canadiens – Game 63 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-6)  | Montreal Canadiens  (26-33-4)

 

Jonathan Quick makes 25 saves in his debut as the Golden Knights defeat the Montreal Canadiens, 4-3, for their third straight win.

The Golden Knights vs Canadiens took place Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. 

Jonathan Quick got his first start for the Vegas Golden Knights finishing with 28 saves as the Golden Knights defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 at T-Mobile Arena. 

“I felt pretty comfortable right from the get-go,” Quick said. “Obviously, just a different setting. Different color jersey. Once you get out there, you’re just trying to play hockey.”

Ivan Barbashev scored two goals, and Shae Theodore and Riley Smith each had a goal helping Vegas win over the Canadians.

The Golden Knights are now  9-1-2 since the All-Star break.

“It’s a result-oriented business. We won the hockey game. We’ve won some very close games,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Momentum swings both ways. As a coach, you’re hoping they go more your way than the other team’s way more consistently. … It’s not easy to win in this league. I’m a glass-half-full type of guy, so I appreciate the points, but I’m also a coach, so I’m also looking at correcting.”

Mike Matheson, Alex Belzile, and Rafael Harvey-Pinard each scored a goal for Montreal, and Jake Allen ended the night with 24 for the Canadiens, who have now lost three in a row.

Shea Theodore was the first to put Vegas on the board 1-0 midway at 12:34 in the first period after firing an excellent wrist shot from the high slot.

Ivan Barbashev then extended the lead to 2-0 after jamming in the puck after receiving a backdoor pass from Jack Eichel.

“I think you’ll see a lot more of that,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. “That’s where he goes. That’s where he hangs out. He’s comfortable there, right out in front of the net. He was ready to use his feet, his stick, whatever is necessary.”

Barbashev’s presence with the Golden Knights has helped out and put a spark for the offense.

“It was amazing [pass]. We had a couple of seams a play before that,” Barbashev said. “It was a pretty good play by both (Eichel and Marchessault).”

The start of the second period was no different from the first for the Golden Knights. At the 7:20 mark, after a turnover in the neutral zone, Reilly Smith extended the lead to 3-0 after shooting into an open net.

The Golden Knights vs Canadiens end of the first period.

The Golden Knights went into the third period in complete control, but Montreal had plans to make it a close game. 

The Golden Knights vs Canadiens second and third periods.

Jonathan Quick was looking to have a shutout night in his VGK debut, but the Canadiens had other plans when Mike Matheson scored to cut the lead 3-1.

Barbashev again would extend the lead 4-1 after pushing the puck from a one-timer shot deflected from Michael Amadio and Nicolas Hague.

“You’ll see a lot more of [him going to the net] in his goals. That’s where he goes. That’s where he hangs out,” Cassidy said. “He’s comfortable there right in front of that net. He was ready to use his feet, his stick, whatever was necessary. You’ll see some guys get pucks in those situations that don’t finish because they’re not comfortable in there. He’s very comfortable there.”

Belzile scored a minute later, short side, to make the score 4-2, and just 35 seconds later Harvey-Pinard scored, hitting a one-timer to cut the lead 4-3.

But Jonathan Quick came in at the end to preserve the game with a win with 19 seconds left after getting across to stop a one-timer from Drouin during a 6-on-5 rush.

“I liked his game. He got the ‘W.’ He made a big save on a one-timer to get across there,” Cassidy said. “That’s a save we needed, and he got it.”

The Golden Knights vs Canadiens final score was 4-3.

The Golden Knights will hit the road when they play against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena on Tuesday. The puck drops at 4:00 pm. The game can be seen on  AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.