Recap: Fresh off the Christmas break, the Golden Knights got back to business in Anaheim for the first game of a back-to-back. The 1st period was a slow, flat period for both teams. Not much action either way, as the players tried to shake off some holiday rust. With only 12 combined shots on net, the 1st period ended in a scoreless tie.
Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas the first lead of the game on a nasty shot up high passed John Gibson. The game would quickly change as the Golden Knights committed multiple penalties resulting in three Anaheim power play goals. After 40 minutes, Vegas trailed 3-1.
Vegas began the period on the power play, and would pick up a second man-advantage early in the 3rd period. The Golden Knights couldn’t muster up enough quality shots to get one through. Anaheim gave themselves a three goal lead midway through the period, taking a 4-1 lead. Nate Schmidt added two late game goals scoring his third and fourth of the season but it would be too late. The Ducks held on to defeat Vegas 4-3.
Vegas’ record drops to 20-15-6 losing their first of a back-to-back. The Arizona Coyotes and Golden Knights will faceoff tomorrow night in a battle for the Pacific lead. Game time is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: A sloppy first period didn’t cost the Golden Knights where it could have, but an extended penalty did. They looked like a team that had three days off and traveled in the day of the game, and they couldn’t look like that. Missed opportunities, poor passing, too many guys not playing up to their ability, and no favors from the officiating. It was a bad mix that ends up costing the Golden Knights a game they really should not have lost. Tough loss that makes the next one a bit more important. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center
- An attempt to explain Paul Stastny’s down season
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Karlsson
** Jonathan Marchessault
* Nate Schmidt
2 goals aside, there's no excuse to lose that game.
They got the sloppy bad period out of the way without giving up a goal. Even despite the quick goals by ANA, there should have been a better quicker pushback against a bad team.
Didn't happen and it cost them 2 points.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019
Nothing clean about the way the Golden Knights have played tonight. Bad time for it considering the importance of the game tomorrow night.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019
Passing on the power play has been abysmal tonight.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019
Lt
late garbage goals, too little too late.
Vgk look like complete shit again. and even the goaltending is now awful too. the PP and the PK both were atrocious tonight.
Nosek’s stupid high stick cost them this game, and stupid penalties have hurt this team all season, and Gallant does NOTHING about it. He should be benching guys who cost the team with bad penalties, but instead he gives them more ice time, which gives the message keep doing it boys
The team needs a big shakeup trade to get these complacent bastards to wake up. the Vgk mojo is fading fast.
Lt
and now they call up Kolesar to the rescue?? you have got to be kidding, he is a piss poor version of Reaves. it just keeps getting worse in the Vegas front office.
Easy ed
Obviously rest is not the answer they skated like they had lead feet. Skaying bad, passing worse, team play non-existent. Look out tonight it could be worse than the Colorado beating. They even looked beat before it started to much partying.
Lt
tonight will tell us a lot about this team. if they cannot win a big important game at home, then it will be a long fade in the standings. a major move would have to be made to jumpstart this team.