FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Maple Leafs - Game 7 - 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Maple Leafs – Game 7 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Golden Knights (5-2-0)  | Toronto Maple Leafs (4-3-0)

The Vegas Golden Knights secured a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Monday night. It was also a historic night as Phil Kessel tied the NHL ironman record.

It was a historic golden night for Vegas Golden Knights’ Phil Kessel, as he matched the NHL Ironman record for consecutive games played. He tied Keith Yandel, making this game his 989th straight in the NHL, and is set to break that record tonight against the San Jose Sharks. The other VGK skaters’ active consecutive games streak combined is less than half of Kessel’s current one (442 games).

On this historic night, the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Knights were looking to rebound from their loss against the Colorado Avalanche. Also, Logan Thompson was in net again and looking for redemption from his last performance.

The first period started fast and furious for the Knights. About two minutes in, the Knights were on the power play due to Toronto having too many on the ice. The power play paid off with a goal from Phil Kessel, his 400th all-time, but it was overturned due to an offsides call.

The full arsenal of the Vegas offense was on display last night.

The VGK was still on the power play, and at the 3:51 mark, Nicolas Roy scored his first goal of the season from an assist from Riley Smith to make the score 1-0. The Golden Knights were outplaying Toronto throughout the first period on the offensive end, keeping the puck in their zone and making as many shots on goal as possible.

The second was the same for the Golden Knights until Toronto’s William Nylander tied it 1-1 when he took a pass from John Tavares and beat Thompson with a low wrist shot at the 11:42 mark of the second period.

With the game tied, the Knights were playing a high-up-tempo style of offense to which Toronto couldn’t seem to get any answers. Vegas was focused on playing with a sense of urgency and redemption.

Just over 42 seconds into the third period, the VGK scored a goal, this time from Chandler Stephenson, which was also his first goal of the season, to give the Knights back the lead 2-1.

The Maple Leafs could not find any answers to the Knights’ onslaught. Throughout the last two periods, the Leafs were outshot 24-13. Vegas completely closed the lid shut with a goal from Michael Amadio from an assist from Nicolas Hague, which was also his first goal of the season to give the Vegas the victory 3-1.

The Golden Knights‘ victory on this historical night was redemption from their lackluster performance in their last game. The Knights so far have shown that they recover from bad nights and regroup as a team to win games. Thompson ended the night with 23 saves. The Knights still have control in the Pacific Division, and numerous players are making a tremendous impact on the offensive end, where everyone is playing a unique role in helping them win games.

The Golden Knights will go on the road to play their rival, the San Jose Sharks, tonight at 7:30 pm. The game can be seen on AT&T Sports Net and ESPN.