Video Credit: SportsNet

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs. Kings- Game 41

Franchise Sports Media

 

Monday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Kings saw the Vegas Golden Knights make some unexpected lineup changes, with one defenseman filling in as a forward.

 

Golden Knights vs Kings          
Photo Credit: TSN

Due to Ryan Reeves being placed on long-term injured reserve and Keegan Kolesar not making the trip to Los Angeles, Tomas Jurco was recalled by VGK, and Dylan Coghlan was placed at the right-wing position on the fourth line. Recent trade acquisition Mattias Janmark was not able to join the Knights for Monday’s game, so that explains Coghlan having to move from defense to the forward group. Vegas was awarded a powerplay in the opening minutes as Anze Kopitar was called for hooking just twenty-five seconds into the game, but they were not able to score with the extra man.

Seven minutes into the game, Tomas Nosek was called for tripping, giving L.A. their first powerplay opportunity of the night. The Kings were unable to score as well but ended up getting the opening goal shortly after their powerplay had ended. Just before the ten-minute mark Brendan Lemieux was able to spring Austin Wagner on a breakaway which saw him fly past an unsuspecting Shea Theodore before putting the puck past Robin Lehner. Max Pacioretty had one of the better chances of the period from the left circle a few minutes later but was unable to beat Cal Peterson. Pacioretty has been stuck at 299 goals, and VGK would have liked to see him get it, but they went into the first intermission down 1-0 instead.

 

The second period saw the Knights go down by two goals, only to erase the deficit before the period had expired.

 

Golden Knights vs Kings          
Photo Credit: StlToday.com

The comeback was almost started by Tomas Nosek as he received a great pass by Alex Tuch right in front of the net, but Cal Peterson was able to hold the line. Anze Kopitar scored the second goal for the Kings right around the nine-minute mark as Dustin Brown fed him from behind the net before he lifted the puck over Lehner. A minute later, Alex Tuch thought he had scored as he sent a puck over Peterson’s shoulder and through the goal crease, but it slid just wide of the post.

With 5:40 remaining Nic Roy finally broke the ice for the Knights as he skated in on a 2 on 1 opportunity and outwaited Peterson before beating him from just inside the right circle, his fifth point in the last six games. Los Angeles was given a powerplay with 1:55 remaining, but Chandler Stephenson had the first good look as he was sprung on a breakaway but missed the net on his shot attempt. However, Mark Stone received a breakaway opportunity of his own right after, and he did not miss the net as he went backhand-forehand to beat the L.A. netminder and tie the game at two before time expired.

 

The Vegas Golden Knights rode the momentum they built at the end of the second period taking advantage of the momentum swing and keeping their foot on the gas.

 

At 4:35 into the final frame, the Knights took the lead with a goal from Alex Tuch as he screamed down the ice and made Kings defenseman Christian Wolonin look like a traffic cone before beating Cal Peterson on his blocker side. With 14:26 remaining, the Kings were given their third powerplay of the night after William Karlsson took his first penalty of the season. Yet again, VGK had the best opportunity while shorthanded as Chandler Stephenson had his third breakaway of the net but still could not put it in the back of the net. Vegas received a powerplay of their own with twelve minutes remaining after Christian Wolonin was called for holding. VGK scored the dagger due to a beautiful shot from Max Pacioretty, who went top shelf for his 300th career goal and 20th of the season. The Knights controlled play the rest of the game and were able to cruise to a road victory in L.A. after coming from behind two goals.

 

Looking Forward: 

 

Vegas performed much better in the second half of this game, as they seemed to never look back after Nic Roy’s goal in the second period. One major thing that stuck out to me was how well they neutralized L.A.’s powerplay as the Knights seemed to get better chances anytime they were shorthanded. Considering the fact that players had to play different positions and fill in for some core members of VGK makes this win more impressive than it normally would against a team outside of the playoff picture. With a day off between games, Vegas will once again play in L.A. at the Staples Center on Wednesday night for their final game against the Kings this season.

 

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play Wednesday evening against The Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. 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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