FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Coyotes - Game 3

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Coyotes – Game 3

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The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena to remain undefeated in the 2020-21 campaign.

Tyler Pitlick put Arizona on the board just over eight minutes into the game. VGK was on the powerplay when Mark Stone attempted a saucer pass to Alex Pietrangelo that was intercepted by Pitlick. Pitlick was able to send a well-placed wrist shot over the shoulder of Robin Lehner. Vegas was put on a two-man advantage moments later but was unable to convert. Chandler Stephenson had a wonderful opportunity shorthanded however Pitlick took a hooking penalty which may have saved a goal.

VGK did not seem to have much energy to start the second period. Nick Schmaltz slid one below the pads of Lehner on the power play nine minutes and thirty – five seconds into the second period. Max Pacioretty became the second Golden Knight in team history (James Neal) to score in the first three games of the season. Pacioretty missed on a one-timer from Stephenson from the left circle but was able to collect his own rebound and bank it off Darcy Kuemper. That gave VGK some much-needed momentum to take into the locker room as the goal came with just under three minutes remaining.

VGK has played very strong third periods in games one and two. That momentum carried over to game three.  Reilly Smith scored on a nifty backhand from William Karlsson to tie up just over four minutes in. A couple of the ways you are not permitted to score in the NHL are by kicking the puck into the net, using your glove to direct the puck into the net, and contacting the puck above the crossbar. However, the rules do not state that you must be in possession of your stick to score a goal. Stephenson had his back to the shooter as the hit stick was knocked out of his hand by a Coyotes defenseman. Zach Whitecloud sent the shot to the net and a good thing happened. The puck deflected off the stickless Stephenson and found its way into the net.  Smith scored his second goal of the game with seconds remaining and the Coyotes goalie pulled.

Another game, another strong third period by VGK. VGK has now outscored their opponents 7-0 in their third period through three games. Credit good coaching, VGK getting their legs under them, or a combination of both?

Robin Lehner remains undefeated in the regular season since his arrival in Vegas. VGK has now had solid goaltending for three games in a row. Look for Marc Andre Fleury to try for four games of solid goaltending on Wednesday.

The VGK roster looked a bit different after their first two winning efforts. Tomas Nosek centered line three and Keegan Kolesar centered line four. Cody Glass was scratched and sent to the taxi squad. VGK has been right up against the salary cap since signing Peitrangelo this past offseason. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon must find many creative ways to keep VGK’s salary cap compliant throughout the season.

Utilizing the taxi squad is just one way he will have to do so. Scratching Glass was not just to get Kolesar into the lineup. Glass was able to be sent to the taxi squad without risk of another team claiming him off waivers. There is a reasonable chance that someone would claim Kolesar off waivers if the opportunity presented itself.

VGK plays game two of their four-game series with the Coyotes on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena.

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-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Chris on Twitter @TDChrisG

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