FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Predators - Game 39 - 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Predators – Game 39 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (25-12-2)  | Nashville Predators (15-14-6)

 

The Golden Knights end the year 2022 on a high note defeating the Nashville Predators in OT 5-4. Nicolas Hague scores the game-winning goal for Vegas.

 

The calendar year of 2022 has been filled with questions and expectations for the Vegas Golden Knights. On New Year’s Eve, the Knights wanted to leave an exclamation point on their last game of 2022 when they hosted the Nashville Predators at T-Mobile Arena.

The first period didn’t start the way Vegas intended when Nashville struck first when Filip Forsberg scored after a Vegas turnover behind the net, beating Logan Thompson far post to put the Predators on the board first 1-0.

Just about midway through the first period, Reilly Smith left the game after a stick caught him high somewhere on his lower body. Good news later on Smith returned to the game later in the period.

Several minutes later, Nashville extended their lead 2-0 after Jeremy Lauzon scored from the left face-off dot.

Throughout the first period, Vegas had the advantage offensive-wise regarding shots on goal. It finally paid off for them when Keegan Kolesar scored after a deflected shot from Daniil Miromanov from point to put Vegas on the board 2-1.

After the first period, the Knights outscored the Predators 13-9, 15-5 in scoring chances, but Nashville had the lead 2-1 after the first period.

 

The first period was dominated by Vegas when it came to shooting chances, even though they were trailing by a goal. But in the second period, the tempo would favor the Knights.

 

Just almost two minutes into the second period, Michael Amadio scored after a one-timer, getting the assist from Mark Stone to tie the game 2-2.

This time the Knights were not experiencing any second-period woes, as the game’s tempo was now in their favor.

About 8 minutes into the second, Reilly Smith made his presence felt after scoring, shooting a backhand shot pass from Kolesar to give the Knights their first lead in the game, 3-2.

The Knights remained consistent, and it paid off, as the second period ended with the Knights in the lead.

 

The third period would remain in control of Vegas, but Nashville was not willing to go down without a fight.

 

The third period started the way Vegas had intended, with more shots and maintaining puck possession in their zone. About 4 minutes into the third, Chandler Stephenson scored from above the hash marks to extend the lead for Vegas 4-2.

The game looked out of reach for the Predators, but Nashville was determined to a comeback. Just midway through the third period, Filip Forsberg scored his second goal to pull the Predators within one goal, 4-3.

With the game almost over, Vegas was trying to play puck control to end the game until Reilly Smith got called for high sticking, which resulted in a power play for the Predators.

With 5 seconds left, the Predators answered with Filip Forsberg scoring his third goal of the game, getting a hat trick to tie the game and send it to overtime 4-4.

The game going into overtime did not overwhelm the Knights. A delayed penalty resulted in a 4-on-3 rush. Vegas resulted in Nicolas Hague scoring from the left circle giving the Golden Knights the win 5-4.

“(Victory’s) right there, but that stuff’s going to happen,” Hague said. “We’ve done it to teams. Nothing’s going to change that.” The Golden Knights are now 4-0 on the final day of the year and heading into the new year with a Western Conference-leading 52 points.

 

Key Takeaways

 

 Logan Thompson had 37 saves and .892% SV, and Kegan Kolesar scored his 4th goal of the year ending his 19-game scoring drought.

 

On Monday, the Golden Knights kick off 2023 as they play against the defending Stanley Cup Champions Colorado Avalanche, at the Ball Arena. They are scheduled to drop the puck at 6:00 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.