FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Hurricanes - Game 16

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Hurricanes – Game 16

Franchise Sports Media

Golden Knights (9-7)  |  Carolina Hurricanes (12-2)

 

On Tuesday morning, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that Jonathan Marchessault had entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

 

Marchessault joined William Carrier on the list and was inactive for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Carrier, who had already entered protocol, will be out the minimum ten days, coach Pete DeBoer announced.

In corresponding moves, the Golden Knights recalled forwards Paul Cotter and Sven Baertschi into the lineup. There were no line rushes at the optional skate.

Marchessault is the Golden Knights leading goal-scorer on the season with nine goals in 15 games. However, the already depleted Knights will continue to have to find ways to win without their stars.

After scoring three goals and tallying five points in three games last week, Marchessault was named the Golden Knights “Star of the Week. “He also scored his 100th goal as a Golden Knight, the most in franchise history, on Saturday against Vancouver.

 

The Carolina Hurricanes showed the Vegas Golden Knights just how elite they are Tuesday night as they defeated the Golden Knights 4-2.

 

This loss for the Golden Knights snaps a three-game winning streak at T-Mobile Arena. There were a good bit of family roots in Tuesday night’s game as brothers Brendan and Reilly Smith got to start the game against each other. Jake Leschyshyn’s father, Curtis, also played four years in the Carolina Hurricanes organization.

Right out of the gate, it was evident it would be another eventful night for Robin Lehner. The Hurricanes pressured early, with Seth Jarvis, Nino Niederreiter, and Jordan Staal getting quality shots. However, Lehner was able to turn aside the early chances. He finished the game with 38 saves on 42 shots.

Evgenii Dadonov, who almost scored on a wraparound attempt but hit the far post, had the best chance of the period for the Golden Knights to get on the board. The new first line of Dadonov, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson generated the most offense for the Golden Knights on Tuesday.

 

The Golden Knights came out in the second period with a big goal from an unlikely hero. 

 

Ben Hutton chipped the puck off the glass, and Brett Howden won the ensuing battle with Brendan Smith. Howden danced his way to the net and scored, making it 2-1. Just 1:19 later, the Golden Knights evened the score. After three shot attempts on Antti Raanta, Shea Theodore buried the game-tying goal for the Golden Knights. Raanta was tested heavily in the second period as well as the entire night.

The Hurricanes’ forecheck, team play, and offensive pressure tested the Golden Knights in the second. The Canes were relentless in trying to take back the lead. Again, the Hurricanes portrayed why they are one of the top teams in the NHL. But Lehner was tested more in terms of overall shots.

Early in the third period, the Hurricanes found the go-ahead goal. A shot from Ethan Bear took a wild bounce off a Golden Knight and found its way to Jarvis, who beat Lehner, moving left to right.

Things continued to get worse for the Golden Knights. Howden was in some pain after blocking a shot, Theodore took an awkward fall into the boards, and Dadonov left the game in the third period. Theodore and Howden remained in the game, but Dadonov and Theodore did not. Dadonov took a high stick to the face, which drew blood, but the referees missed the call.

The Hurricanes extended their lead late in the third period, with Teravainen again shooting for a rebound, allowing Vincent Trocheck to score. VGK pulled Lehner and called a timeout, but no dice as the Hurricanes won 4-2. 

 

The Golden Knights will be back in action Thursday night as they take on the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena at 7:00 pm. The game can be seen on AT&T SportsNet.