FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kraken - Game 82 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kraken – Game 82 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (51-22-9)  | Seattle Kraken  (46-28-8)

The Golden Knights finish the regular season on a high note clinching the Pacific Division title with a win over the Seattle Kraken, 3-1. 

The Golden Knights vs Kraken start of the first period.

In the season finale and rematch, there was a lot on the line—momentum and finishing the regular season on a high note for both teams. In the case of the Vegas Golden Knights, they not just wanted to end the season with a win going into the Stanley Cup playoffs but also claim the Pacific Division.

That all worked out in favor of Vegas as they defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-1 to clinch their third Pacific Division title at Climate Pledge Arena. 

With one accomplishment checked off the list, there’s still more work ahead for Vegas as the playoffs loom over.

“I’m definitely proud of the group the way they handled that and came back this year, played a lot of good hockey,” Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez said. “But again, everything with a caveat, we haven’t won anything yet.”

The Golden Knights finished the regular season 51-22-9 with 111 points, tying the franchise record for victories and holding off the late surge from the Edmonton Oilers to win the division title and clinch home-ice advantage in the Western Conference.

Moving forward for Vegas, they will play against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“We won all we could win in terms of the regular season,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We got the division crown, which was I thought was well-earned. Edmonton has been charging hard coming out of the break, like us. All the teams were playing well around us. And then you get the conference, which is nice too.”

Reilly Smith scored his 200th career NHL goal, and Laurent Brossoit finished the game with 30 saves. The Seattle Kraken are still bound for the playoffs as well but will await their upcoming opponent from either the Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars.

“Now the fun starts. This is why we play 82 games, and this is why we grind throughout the year to give yourself an opportunity,” Schwartz said.

The Golden Knights vs Kraken ended the first period.

Both teams traded goals in the first period for a 1-1 tie.

The Golden Knights vs Kraken start of the second and third periods.

The game was deadlocked at one apiece going into the second period until Alec Martinez scored a short-handed goal to give Vegas the lead again, 2-1.

The Golden Knights kept the lead by a goal throughout the second period, also with the help of Laurent Brossoit as well to keep the lead at one goal.

In the third period, Chandler Stephenson extended the lead to 3-1 after scoring an empty net goal with 38 seconds left to put the icing on the cake for a 3-1 final win in the season finale.

“We made big strides from where we ended in the regular season last year,” Smith said. “We always believed in this group. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I don’t think this should be understated. We should take a day to celebrate it.”

With the regular season now at a close, the Golden Knights will look for a deep playoff run that will hopefully lead them to the Stanley Cup Final. 

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I don’t think that this should be understated and make sure that we at least take a day to celebrate it,” Smith said.

The Golden Knights vs Kraken final score was 3-1, Vegas.

On Tuesday, the Golden Knights will play against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Game time TBA. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.