FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings - Game 37 - 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Kings – Game 37 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (24-12-1)  | Los Angeles Kings (20-12-6)

 

In a tight Pacific Division battle between the top two teams, the Golden Knights fall short to the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.

 

The Vegas Golden Knights have been sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference and the Pacific Division. After their short Christmas break, the Misfits had a division opponent in their rearview mirror as the Knights took on the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.

This Pacific Division battle was an important game for both teams; Logan Thompson was the right choice to start as we went up against the Kings’ Phoenix Copely.

The first period started in complete control on the offensive side for the Kings, outshooting the Knights 5-1 at one point through half the period. Vegas would get a power play opportunity but was unable to capitalize with a goal.

The Kings’ offensive shots and puck possession would pay off when Gabriel Vilardi scored a one-timer shot from the left circle assisted by Blake Lizotte to put LA on the board first, 1-0.

Vegas would get a second power play opportunity a couple of minutes after the goal from Vilardi; this time, the Knights cashed in on the opportunity when Michael Amadio scored on a one-timer shot from the left circle to tie the game 1-1. The power play by Amadio was his sixth point (three goals, three assists) during a four-game point streak.

 

The first period was evenly matched. Both teams were evenly tied with seven shots on goal and 1-1 on the scoreboard at the end of the first period.

 

Alec Martinez left the game after blocking a shot in the first and did not return in the second period. Midway through the second, at the 10:07 mark, Brayden McNabb scored his first goal of the season after Reilly Smith made a backhand centering pass between his legs to find McNabb charging in to score into an empty net to give the Knights the lead 2-1.

But just about 3 minutes later, the Kings came back to tie the game 2-2 after Phillip Danault scored from a Viktor Arvidsson pass through the crease at the right post.

It was another scary moment for the Knights on the injury front. This time, Daniil Miromanov got struck in the face from a puck hit-on-chip attempt, causing bleeding from his mouth.

 

 

The second period ended just like the first period… tied. The third period determined which team would get the upper hand.

 

Miromanov came back in the third period, wearing a bubble shield after the puck hit his face in the second period.

About 8 minutes into the third period, Alex Iafallo put the Kings back in front after scoring from the left face-off circle during a 3-on-2 odd-man rush to give the Kings back the lead of 3-2.

Reilly Smith had a breakaway opportunity but could not get past Copley. The Knights had a hard time generating any offense with tight checking from LA.

Viktor Arvidsson scored an empty net goal to extend the lead 4-2 and close out the game giving the Kings the victory.

The victory for the Kings now pulls them within 3 points behind Vegas atop the Pacific Division. “The opportunity was there to win,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Guy blew a wheel, and we gave up a 3-on-2, and they were able to capitalize, and we weren’t. That’s the story of the third period.”

 

Key Takeaway

 

 Logan Thompson had 24 saves and a .875% save percentage. Chandler Stephenson had his seven-game point streak end (three goals, 11 assists). Reilly Smith has nine points (five goals, four assists) in the past seven games. Vegas went 1-for-3 on the power play and had at least one goal with the man advantage in seven of the past eight games (10-for-23, 43.5 percent).

 

On Wednesday, the Golden Knights will travel up the freeway to Orange County as they take on another Pacific Division opponent, Anaheim Ducks, at the Honda Center. They are scheduled to drop the puck at 7:00 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.