FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Blues- Game 37

The opening frame saw what looked like it would be a contested game with VGK taking the lead early, and the Blues made it a one-goal game in the final minutes. With about six and a half minutes into the game, Tomas Nosek scored the opening goal as he redirected a shot from Nick Holden while occupying space in front of the St. Louis net. Nosek has been on a bit of a tear lately, scoring ten points in his last eleven games.

Almost exactly six minutes later, Alec Martinez added to the lead scoring a slapshot from out far, as Max Pacioretty screened Ville Husso, putting the Knights up by two. With just under three minutes remaining in the period, Tyler Bozak scored the Blues only goal of the night after receiving a pass in the slot to beat Robin Lehner. The period expired, with VGK leading the shot total 11-8.

The second period was one which saw the Knights offense explode and put the game out of reach for the Blues.

Just over eight minutes into the period Alec Martinez scored his second goal of the night off a snapshot from the left circle with Alex Tuch and Keegan Kolesar assisting on the play. Vegas never looked back from that point as William Carrier scored just thirty-two seconds later, tipping in a shot in close from Alex Pietrangelo. The flood gates completely opened with 10:53 remaining as Jonathan Marchessault scored from behind the net, shooting the puck off of Husso’s shoulder and in. That was the end of the night for the Blues netminder as Blues head coach Craig Berube pulled him and sent Jordan Binnington to finish out the night in net.

The pulling of the goalie in an attempt to possibly motivate the Blues did not work out well, as Binnington was beaten shortly after to put the game out of reach for St. Louis. With 7:00 remaining Nicolas Hague scored VGK’s sixth goal of the night with a wrist shot from all the way downtown sending it through some traffic and past Binnington. About thirty seconds after that goal, VGK fan-favorite Ryan Reeves took a roughing penalty as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Kyle Clifford.

The Blues were unable to score, however, with the wind being taken out of their sails and the play of the Knights penalty kill. Vegas was awarded a powerplay of their own in the final minutes but did not capitalize. The Golden Knights ended the second period with a lead-in shot total going 26 to the Blues’ 23.

The third period saw Vegas finish out the game strong not allowing any goals against thanks to some great saves by Robin Lehner .

Just over five minutes into the final frame, VGK was given another chance on the power play as Jordan Kyrou was called for high sticking against Nic Roy but did not score with the extra man. This game was one where the inability to score on special teams was a little more permissible as the Knights had already scored enough goals to put the game out of reach.

To ensure his team kept the lead by a wide margin, Robin Lehner made a good save on David Perron from the right circle. His best save of the night came with 1:44 remaining as he made a last-second kick save on Tyler Bozak immediately after poke-checking the puck from Kyle Clifford.

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Looking Forward: 

VGK played exactly how you would want them to after losing three games in a row for the first time this season. After a hard-fought first period, blowing the doors off the hinges in the second period was the perfect way to send a message to the rest of the division that the Knights are right back on track. Expect St. Louis to come out angry on Wednesday night though as no team wants to be embarrassed on home ice two games in a row.

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play Wednesday evening against The St. Louis Blues at The Enterprise Center. The puck drop is set for 6:00 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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