FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings- Game 9

Today’s game looked a lot different than Friday’s as the first period saw three different lead changes in the first 12 minutes.

Anze Kopitar opened up the scoring just 45 seconds into the game going bar down after an untimely line change by the Knights. The first frame looked much different than last game which saw the Knights dominate as they rushed out to a three-goal lead holding the Kings to none in the first frame.

The opening period of today’s game looked more evenly played but still ended with the Knights leading the scoreboard. Almost six minutes into the game Reilly Smith tied the game up after a great neutral zone transition by the Knights going top shelf and beating Cal Peterson glove side. Shea Theodore had the secondary assist for his seventh point in nine games.

At the 12:54 mark, Adrian Kempe put the Kings up again scoring near-side on Lehner. However, LA’s lead was short-lived as Zach Whitecloud tied the game back up after a beautiful pass from Cody Glass. A little over a minute later Lehner made an excellent save off a rebound shot from Austin Wagner to keep the game tied and the momentum in VGK’s favor. A little over eleven minutes into the period Chandler Stephenson showed some great speed after taking a pass from Mark Stone and put the Knights up 3-2.

The second period was much more uneventful as both teams seemed to settle in as both goalies made some good saves and settle their respective teams down.

Almost three minutes into the second period Mikey Anderson took a penalty and sent VGK on the powerplay. The Knights looked dangerous with the man advantage registering three shots but almost saw Jeff Carter score a shorthanded goal, but he couldn’t connect on his backhand attempt. Vegas wasn’t without some dangerous chances of their own as Carrier rang one off the crossbar after a bad turnover by MacDermid in the Kings zone.

After serving two minutes for a penalty, Reeves nearly widened VGK’s lead registering a dangerous chance which Cal Peterson was able to fend off. Jared Anderson Dolan ended up tying the game with his first NHL goal after Vegas had a defensive breakdown in their own zone leaving him all alone in front of the net. The rest of the period saw no change in the score but did end with Vegas going on the powerplay with under a second left, which would carry over into the third period.

The third period saw the Knights start with the powerplay and a great opportunity to retake the lead.

Vegas continued to improve on their powerplay numbers as Chandler Stephenson showed his speed and made a great move entering the King’s zone and put it between Peterson’s legs to put the Knights up 4-3. His goal was good for VGK’s third powerplay goal in as many games and their fifth in the last six. The rest of the period saw the Knight’s penalty kill hold the King’s scoreless in some key situations, demonstrating just how much better they have been of late in the special teams department. VGK looked in control the rest of the game and swept the Kings in their two-game series. The Knights are now back in first place in the Honda West division at 15 points with two games in hand on the Colorado Avalanche.

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play on Tuesday night taking on the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is set for 7 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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