FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings- Game 34

VGK started the night shorthanded as Ryan Reeves was held out of the lineup in a last-minute decision with a lower-body injury. The L.A. Kings started the game with another quick goal as Andreas Athanasiou opened up the scoring just 1:48 into the first period burying a breakaway chance going forehand-backhand to beat Fleury. The following ten minutes saw the Knights register the majority of chances but could not find a way to beat Cal Peterson while doing so.

With eight minutes left in the period, Nic Hague gave the Kings their first powerplay opportunity, but the Knights penalty kill held them to one shot on goal, which Fleury fought off. Lias Andersson gave the Kings their second goal of the period with 2:37 remaining, winning a puck battle in front of the net to beat a sprawling Marc Andre Fleury. Shortly after, Max Pacioretty gave L.A. their second powerplay opportunity of the night as he was called for tripping.

The Kings were unable to convert with the extra man again, and the first period ended with both teams tied in total shots but the Kings leading in the goal column.

The second period started with an early opportunity for the Knights on the powerplay but they were unable to capitalize with the extra man.

While VGK was unable to score a goal, they generated some great chances, with the best one coming from Mark Stone, but he missed the net. That was followed by Max Pacioretty getting a shot off from point-blank range, but he was stopped by Cal Peterson right after the powerplay expired. Almost ten minutes into the middle frame William Karlsson scored a goal off a rebound from Jonathan Marchessault slipping the puck behind L.A.’s netminder to bring VGK within one. The Kings answered back shortly after scoring another goal of their own as Jaret Anderson-Dolan followed up a shot by Andreas Athanasiou finding the puck between Fleury’s legs and getting it across the goal line.

. With just under six minutes left, Drew Doughty took a hooking penalty on Alex Tuch to give VGK another powerplay opportunity, but the Knights were rendered ineffective as L.A. seem to control the puck most of the time they were shorthanded. Just five seconds after the powerplay expired, Alex Iafallo scored the Kings fourth goal of the night after Fleury was caught being too aggressive while coming out of his crease, leaving the net wide open behind him. To make matters worse, Chandler Stephenson took a bad penalty hitting Tobias Bjornfot up high with an elbow, drawing blood, which equated to a five-minute major and game misconduct.

Time expired in the second period, with the Kings still having 3:14 left on the powerplay to start the third.

The third period opened with VGK killing off the remaining time left on the King’s powerplay with Keegan Kolesar nearly scoring immediately after leaving the penalty box.

3:36 into the final frame, Shea Theodore scored from the blueline as William Karlsson set up a great screen in front of the L.A. net to bring the Knights within two goals. In the ensuing minutes, both teams opened up the play a bit, and we saw both Marc Andre Fleury and Cal Peterson take turns making outstanding saves stopping multiple high-end chances on both sides of the rink. The Knights continued to build momentum after receiving a powerplay with 12:07 remaining, forcing Peterson to come up big on multiple chances from Vegas’ special teams unit. With about 9:07 remaining Nicolas Hague nearly brought VGK within one, but he hit the post, and play carried on with the Knights trailing by two still.

Some frustration from the Knights definitely set in after that as both Hague and Pietrangelo took penalties just 1:20 apart, giving the Kings a 5 on 3 powerplay for forty seconds, which they were unable to take advantage of. Vegas threw everything they had on Cal Peterson in the final minutes but could not score another goal even with the goaltender pulled, eventually falling to the Kings 4-2.

Last night was the Knights’ first loss at home since fans returned to the building, and they fell out of first place in the division for the first time since February.

Looking Forward: 

VGK will not have much time to worry about the loss as they have a chance for redemption tonight against the Minnesota Wild. They also have a chance to reclaim first place in the division as they are only one point behind the Colorado Avalanche with one game in hand. The question will be how much fatigue will play a factor as tomorrow’s game will be their third in four days.

An additional thing to consider will be whether Chandler Stephenson gets suspended for his illegal check to the head on Tobias Bjornfot. After reviewing the play, my guess is that he will get a few games as the NHL has been stringent on eliminating those types of plays. If he does get suspended, expect Cody Glass to draw into the lineup after being sent down to the Henderson Silver Knights.

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play Thursday evening against The Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is set for 7:30 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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