Recap: New coach Pete DeBoer couldn’t have asked for a better start from his team coming off the break. With William Karlsson still out of the lineup, Paul Stastny stepped up and immediately made a difference. With some nifty passing, Statsny scored his 15th of the season giving the Golden Knights an early 1-0 lead. The top line would double up the lead when Jonathan Marchessault made it 2-0 halfway through the period.
Carolina would get their first goal of the game midway through the 2nd period. However, Vegas did a good job killing off a big power play, and Malcolm Subban shut down the Hurricanes offense. After 40 minutes in the books, the Golden Knights held a 2-1 edge.
Both teams would swap goals in the 3rd with the Golden Knights hanging on to a one goal lead. Carolina was awarded a penalty late in the period and took advantage. They tied the game 3-3 until Vegas got their own late game power play. Alex Tuch put the game away with a PP goal. Shea Theodore and Mark Stone made some brilliant passes to find the open Tuch. Vegas won 4-3 in an entertaining, back and forth contest.
Vegas’ record improves to 26-20-7 and jump Arizona for the first wild card spot. They get right back to business tomorrow in Nashville to take on the Predators. Faceoff is scheduled for 5PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: A strong 1st period that could have been even stronger if not for a pair of pipe hits had the Golden Knights protecting a lead for the first time in a while. They did need some strong goaltending early out of Malcolm Subban. The 2nd period was a bit closer but the Golden Knights still got a few odd-man rushes chances that they were unable to convert. A great play from Nate Schmidt starting by leading a rush and ending with a gorgeous finish gave Vegas a two goal lead, but they would squander it quickly. The new power play coach came through in his first game with a perfect set play that led to the tap-in game-winner from Alex Tuch. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena
- Ryan Reaves on navigating refs
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Malcolm Subban
** Paul Stastny
* Reilly Smith
Storm Surge: Cancelled pic.twitter.com/xKoYVr0uJo
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
That looked like the old Golden Knights. Schmidt jumps up into the rush and the transition finish is there. Big time goal. 3-1!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
Reilly Smith's dominance continues post-break. Undresses the Canes D to set up Stastny. Beautiful.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
Herby
*** Stastny
** Tuch
* Smith
better, but
nice win, but the inability to hold and protect leads is very troubling this season. Reaves not covering his man was a big problem, and also the PK continues to look like crap.
also, Vgk had 3 2-on-1 breaks in the 3rd period, and got zero shots out of it. The Canes’ dman each time overplayed the pass, and yet the Knight’s shooter refused to shoot in all 3 cases, and tried to force an east west pass that was not there. like Carrier’s big blunder.
it shows a lack of hockey sense, and it needs to be addressed bigtime by DeBoer.
better, but
also, Eakin continues to stink the place up, and Engo #5 was falling down and embarrassingly awful in that one, and minus 2
I wonder if the recall of Whitecloud today had anything to do with #5’s stumbles last night.
trades
Stephenson has been a great addition, so why not make more of those type of trades?? where you bring in younger guys with speed who need an opportunity and more ice time with better players.
Ken Boehlke
Easier said than done. Those guys aren’t exactly available every day.