FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Blackhawks - Game 2

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Blackhawks – Game 2

Franchise Sports Media

Golden Knights (2-0-0)  | Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-0)

 

In their home debut, the Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-0, 4 points) defeated the Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-0, 0 points) 1-0 on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.

 

The Vegas Golden Knights were coming off an exciting and promising 4-3 road win against the Los Angeles Kings. They would look for similar results when they hosted the Chicago Blackhawks in their 2022-23 home opener last night at T-Mobile Arena.

The second game of the season between the two teams was a close match. Logan Thompson recorded his first season shutout by making 25 out of 25 saves. Paul Cotter scored one goal for the group.

Here’s what happened.

For the VGK, Will Carrier and Nicolas Hague made a comeback. Ben Hutton and Michael Amadio, who participated in Tuesday night’s victory over the Los Angeles Kings, were benched.

 

Both sides played poorly in the opening frame.

 

Both teams had numerous turnovers, poor passes, and open opportunities. Both teams appeared to still be gathering their bearings early in the season, even though it was only their second game together.

Nicolas Roy’s fourth line for the Golden Knights received a fantastic opportunity, but Keegan Kolesar could not take advantage of it. William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Paul Cotter all had decent chances.

With a lot of last-ditch saves, Logan Thompson repeatedly saved the Golden Knights and gave the impression of an NHL veteran. His performance was well-received by the home fans.

With a puck hitting a referee, Thompson made several outstanding stops, including one on Colin Blackwell, a pad-stacking stop on a rebound opportunity, and a brilliant glove save sliding from left to right.

Paul Cotter, a different player who spent the majority of last season’s campaign with the Henderson Silver Knights, scored the game’s opening goal for the Golden Knights. Cotter scored outside the box on a two-on-one opportunity with Reilly Smith after taking home the best-dressed prize at the Gold Carpet. Fedora was effective.

After the second line, led by Mark Stone, forced a turnover, the VGK nearly scored again. Stone fed Brayden McNabb, who almost had Alex Stalock in Summerlin after successfully coaxing him out of his net. The Blackhawks‘ excellent desperate defense kept the VGK from scoring once more.

 

The Golden Knights had good puck possession in the third.

 

Cotter’s line had a few good opportunities. But they couldn’t extend their lead due to a combination of luck with the puck and goaltending.

Late in the game, the Blackhawks substituted Stalock for the additional attacker. Eichel made contact with the empty net, but not where he intended to, and the game remained 1-0. There were numerous opportunities for the VGK with the empty net.

Time eventually ran out with the Golden Knights winning with just one goal.

Paul Cotter continues to impress with the Golden Knights, whether it be fashion, hitting, or goal-scoring. He’s staying in the lineup for Bruce Cassidy and the Golden Knights.

 

The Golden Knights will head back on the road as they travel to Seattle to play the Seattle Kraken on Saturday at 7:00 pm. The game can be seen on AT&T Sports Net (check local listings).