FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Avalanche - Game 40 - 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Avalanche – Game 40 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (26-12-2)  | Colorado Avalanche (19-14-3)

 

The Golden Knights start the new year on a high note holding off the defending Stanley Cup Champs Colorado Avalanche, 3-2.

 

The Vegas Golden Knights ended 2022 on a high note and wanted to start the new year 2023 on a high note as well when they played against the defending Stanley Cup Champions Colorado Avalanche at the Ball Arena.

This was the second meeting between both teams, where the Avalanche won, but this time Vegas wanted to even the season series.

The first period started in a fast way but not the way Vegas intended when Colorado struck first after Nathan MacKinnon scored from the right face-off circle 25 seconds into the game. 

The Avalanche were up 1-0; the goal by MacKinnon was the fastest game-opening goal by an Avalanche player since MacKinnon scored 11 seconds into a contest on October 13th, 2018.

Colorado was holding on to the lead until towards the end of the first period when Michael Amadio scored off a redirected shot from Nicolas Hague from the point to tie the game 1-1.

 

The goal by Amadio was his 9th point in the last 7 games.

 

Going into the second period still tied, the Knights turned the tide 7 minutes into the second after Nicolas Roy scored after scoring glove side from the left circle off a backhand pass from Keegan Kolesar to give the Knights the lead 2-1.

Nicolas Roy’s goal ended his 17-game goalless drought. His last goal was on November 25th against the Seattle Kraken. 

The one-goal lead for Vegas was not good enough, as just a few minutes later, Nicolas Roy scored his second goal of the night after the redirection of William Carrier’s shot to extend the lead to 3-1.

The second period ended with the Knights in a commanding 3-1 lead, with Vegas also leading 13-2 in scoring chances.

 

Vegas dominated the second period and did not experience any second-period woes, but staying consistent going into the third period was something the Knights needed to maintain.

 

The third period started with the Avalanche on the power play and the opportunity to get back into the game. Still, Vegas’ penalty kill unit successfully stopped the Colorado power play.

But just over 11 minutes in the third period, a controversial call happened after Mikko Rantanen pushed a loose puck against Logan Thompson’s pad just across the goal line. The play was initially ruled no goal before being overturned after a video review.

Colorado was now down by one goal, 3-2, and determined to tie the game. The Avalanche’s chances to tie the game were in their grasp when Reilly Smith got called for a high sticking penalty.

The power play for Colorado did not help them at all, as Vegas was able to hold the Avalanche off and hold on to the lead and get the victory 3-2.

 

Key Takeaway

 

Logan Thompson ended the night with 29 saves and .931% SV. Nicolas Roy scored twice on his second two-goal night and his 200th NHL career game.

 

On Thursday, the Golden Knights will return home to The Fortress as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at T-Mobile Arena. They are scheduled to drop the puck at noon. 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.