FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings - Game 28

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs. Kings – Game 28

https://franchisesportsmedia.com

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 4-2 in the Staples Center on Friday night. The VGK roster remained a mystery as William Karlsson entered Covid Protocol earlier in the day plus it was unknown if Alex Tuch and Chandler Stephenson would be playing as they both missed Wednesday’s game.

Karlsson’s COVID test was a false positive, so he was able to play. Tuch and Stephenson were able to participate in Friday’s game as well. To add to the roster drama, Robin Lehner made his first start in nearly six weeks.

Max Pacioretty got things going for Vegas off a nice pass from Mark Stone that came from behind the net. Pacioretty went to the front of the net and was able to get the puck behind goalie Jonathan Quick. Just over two minutes later, Pacioretty sent was seemed to be a harmless shot on goal that Quick saved with his glove hand. The situation room in Toronto alerted the officials to pause the game so the play could be reviewed. After a lengthy review, it was determined that Quick caught the puck with his glove that was completely behind the goal line.

As a result, VGK was out to a 2-0 first-period lead. It seemed VGK was going to cruise to an easy victory; however, a Kings goal by Alex Iafallo with just eighteen seconds remaining would give the Kings momentum.

Trevor Moore tied the game up on a nice tip-in six minutes into the second period.  That would be the wake-up call that VGK needed. Karlsson scored a nice tip-in goal on a set play off an offensive zone faceoff with just under five minutes remaining in the period.

William Carrier ended his thirty-game scoreless drought on what seemed like a “Friday night beer league” type of a goal. The puck ended up halfway between Nicolas Hauge and Carrier. Carrier motioned towards Hague to take the puck. Hague sent the puck to the net, and Carrier deflected it past Quick. Credit Ryan Reaves for creating the opportunity as his aggressive forecheck created the turnover that led to the goal. Note this is two straight games in which the 4th “Meatgrinders” line has logged a goal.

“This team takes every night seriously and every period seriously,” Pacioretty said. “If we have a bad one, someone always kind of speaks up and lets everyone know. There’s no room for this club to sleep for a period, for two periods or for a game.”

“It’s a stressful day, both for him waiting to see if it’s a real positive or a false and all the close contacts that have been around him because it affects everybody,” DeBoer said.

Lehner looked impressive in his first game back. The first goal was a bit soft as he left the rebound in a juicy place. After that, he settled down, and the only other puck to get behind him was on a deflection that would be difficult for any goalie to stop.

VGK moved to 14-0 when leading heading into the third period and improved to 21-6-1 on the season, good enough for a five-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche in the Honda West Division.

Sunday’s matinee against the Kings officially starts the second half of the shortened season.

Golden Knights vs Kings           Golden Knights vs Kings             Golden Knights vs Kings             Golden Knights vs Kings             Golden Knights vs Kings             Golden Knights vs Kings             

-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Chris on Twitter @TDChrisG

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube