FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings - Game 8

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs. Kings – Game 8

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The Vegas Golden Knights had their first battle with Covid-19 of the 2020/21 campaign. This resulted in an un-scheduled extended break as the last time VGK took the ice was January 28^th against the St. Louis Blues. The extended break did not hurt Vegas at all as they won this one easily over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Vegas Golden Knights obviously missed the sound of their T-Mobile Arena goal horn as they scored their first goal just fifty seconds into the first period. Nicolas Hauge scored on a wrist shot from the left circle that King’s goalie, Jonathan Quick, was screened on. The Golden Knights netted their second of the period on a four on two rush. Mark Stone was the beneficiary of a nice pass from Max Pacioretty.  Johnathan Marchessault cleaned up the loose change left by William Karlsson just over a minute after Stone’s goal. VGK cruised into the first intermission with a three to zero lead.

Karlsson made the fans pay that was slowly making it back to their seats from intermission, scoring ninety -five seconds into the second period. Hague sent a long pass from the defensive zone to Marchessault who’s tip pass created the opportunity for Karlsson. Cody Glass joined in the scoring fun just over thirteen minutes into the period by being in the right place at the right time. Off the power play, VGK was able to move the puck around the perimeter. Glass was just outside the crease and slammed home the rebound.  The Golden Knights attempt at a touchdown lead was thwarted by a successful goaltender interference challenge by the Kings. Glass got tangled up with Kings goalie, Cal Petersen, which lead to an open net for Stone to shoot the puck into. A minor traffic jam in what has been a smooth drive around town as the Golden Knights would take a five to zero lead into the second intermission.

Austin Wagner would get the Kings on the board just over fifty-three minutes into the game.

Wagner used his speed to get behind Zach Whitecloud and was able to score backhand against Marc Andre Fleury off a nice pass from Dustin Brown. While on the power play with six minutes, twenty-seven seconds remaining in the third period, Brown slammed a rebound behind Fleury to cut the lead to three. The final six minutes were uneventful, and the Golden Knights cruised to victory.

VGK won this one with flawless breakouts and by owning the neutral zone. All of VGK’s first four goals came off the rush. The Kings could not match the speed of the Golden Knights and were unable to make up for their lack of speed with positioning. Thinking back to the playoff series between the Golden Knights and Kings in the inaugural season, there was no room on the ice. VGK swept the series despite scoring only seven goals. The Kings are in a much different spot this year comparing to a couple of years ago.

Brayden McNabb is on injured reserve, and Alex Pietrangelo remained in Covid-19 protocol. Nick Holden made his 2020-21 season debut and was partnered with Dylan Coghlan who was making his NHL debut.  Coghlan and Holden took care of business as no goals were scored by the Kings with the duo on the ice.

Fleury versus Robin Lehner, who is the starting goaltender? Recently I would respond to that question with, “Who cares, we have two starting goalies.” Now my response to that is, “We have two starting goalies.  However, Fleury is performing at a much higher level than Lehner.”

Drop the stats for a moment. Fleury just looks more confident than Lehner. Lehner appeared slow to react and unsure in his last start against the Blues. Fleury seems very deliberate and stopping all the shots he should while also stopping many that he should not. Coach Pete DeBoer has alluded to an even split for the goalies for the first ten games or so. This was game number eight. I expect DeBoer to stay on the current path and Lehner to get the start for the Sunday matinee at T-Mobile Arena. After Sunday’s game, I predict Fleury to start seven of VGK’s next ten games.

Whitecloud, Cody Glass, Nicolas Roy, Hague, and Coghlan are all twenty-four years of age or younger.  The future is bright for the Vegas Golden Knights as the aforementioned players can contribute at a high level now, and they will improve as the season progresses.

Glass played his best game of the season today. He went to the dirty area of the ice and was rewarded with a goal. Tonight was the first game it seemed Glass used his size to his advantage. Glass was comfortable and confident.

The Kings will take a bit of momentum into Sunday’s matinee as they scored the final two goals of the game.  VGK did seem to let off the gas a little bit in the third period as the game was well in hand. Can the Kings make the proper adjustments to keep tomorrow’s game close? What will the VGK staff draw up to stay ahead of what the Kings have planned? Who starts in goal for VGK? All of those questions will be answered on Sunday.

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-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Chris on Twitter @TDChrisG

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