FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Islanders - Game 51 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Islanders – Game 51 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (29-18-4)  | New York Islanders  (25-22-5)

 

The Golden Knights lose their 4th straight game in a heartbreaker to the New York Islanders, 2-1 in overtime. 

 

Both the Vegas Golden Knights and New York Islanders have been struggling over the past several games. The Knights have lost their previous three since they were on their road trip. The New York Islanders were (1-5-2). Something had to give in this matchup between these two teams before going into the All-Star break.

The first period of action had some close calls, mainly for New York. On two occasions, the Islanders almost scored, but Jack Eichel saved those goals. Also, with the help of Logan Thompson, who made stellar stops, kept the game scoreless 0-0 after the first period.

Both teams were equal when it came to shots on goal but were not able to generate any pucks to get in the net.

Going into the second period, the game gets more interesting. About 38 seconds into the second period, the Knights get a penalty after Brett Howden gets called for tripping, which results in an Islanders power play.

The one-man disadvantage for the Knights did not phase them at all, as Vegas’ penalty kill unit was able to stop the Islanders’ chances of scoring.

The Knights escaped being down by a goal, but about 3 minutes later, the Islanders finally got on the board after Anders Lee scored, shooting past Logan Thompson to put the Islanders on the board 1-0.

 

Throughout the second period, Vegas had some excellent opportunities to tie the game.

 

Just a minute after the Islanders scored, the Golden Knights were gifted with a power play after Scott Mayfield got called for tripping. 

The Knights on the power play had a good opportunity that happened when Reilly Smith had a clear open net shot but got denied by New York goaltender Semyon Varlamov. 

The Islanders remained in the lead, but midway into the second, the Knights were on the power play again after Matthew Barzal got called for slashing. But the Knights still could not capitalize on the power play. 

It seemed like Vegas could not get any answers to tie the game, but with over 4 minutes left in the second, that all changed when Chandler Stephenson scored a one-timer goal to tie the game 1-1.  

Going into the third period tied, neither team was trying not to make the wrong move. Just about 9 minutes into the period, Varlamov made another incredible save after stopping Ben Hutton’s wrist shot. They remained tied 1-1, and the period ended tied as both teams went into overtime.

Overtime between the two teams looked like it was going into a shootout since neither team was able to score. Still, with just 32 seconds left, Matthew Barzal scored after faking a one-timer shot and then skating into the top of the right circle shooting through the blocker side of Logan Thompson to give the Islanders the win 2-1.

“We played a really good hockey game,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Left a point on the table, obviously, but not through a lack of effort. Competing for the right way and … all the things you’re looking for. Right now, we’re having trouble finishing some plays, but if we keep that kind of effort up to keep the puck out of our net, we’re going to be fine in the long run.”

Despite the strenuous efforts from Vegas, the Golden Knights have lost all four of their road games (0-2-2) and (1-5-2) in its past eight going into the All-Star break.

 

Takeaway

 

Logan Thompson finishes the game with 35 saves. William Carrier’s goal puts him at an NHL career-high of 12 goals in 45 games this season. His previous career-high was nine goals, which he scored in 63 games last season.

  The Golden Knights will be on their All-Star break until Tuesday, February 7th. The Knights’ road trip will continue when they face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. They are scheduled to drop the puck at 5:00 pm. 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.