Recap: The Golden Knights needed a strong start to their game in Calgary, and they got one. Vegas scored two first period goals giving themselves a 2-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes. Depth players Tomas Nosek and Nick Holden pitched in offensively to help their team take a two goal lead.
William Karlsson set up Max Pacioretty to extend the lead to 3-0 early in the 2nd period. It was Pacioretty’s 32nd goal of the season and his 8th on the power play. Calgary went on to score two straight goals to get within one. After two periods, the Golden Knights held a 3-2 edge.
Calgary tied the game 3-3 late in the 3rd period. However, Vegas came right back and scored two goals in the closing minutes. The Golden Knights outlasted the Flames 5-3.
Vegas’ record improves to 38-24-8 and sit alone in first place. Their road trip continues tomorrow in Edmonton for an important Pacific Division game. Puck drops at 6PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: For the first time in a while it was the 1st period that ended up being the Golden Knights savior. They controlled play and capitalized on two great chances in the 1st, then rolled it into an awesome start to the 2nd to amass the three goal lead. A few costly mistakes helped Calgary get back in the game, but overall a solid game from start to finish for the Golden Knights and a well-earned division win on the road. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome
- A dive into usage under DeBoer
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Karlsson
** Shea Theodore
* Nate Schmidt
Golden Knights earned that win in the 1st period (and the first 4 minutes of the 2nd).
A few mistakes here and there in the 2nd and 3rd allowed the Flames back in it, but the dominance early gave them some margin for error. Big win on the road especially to do it in regulation.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 9, 2020
DeBoer puts the band back together and it leads to a perfect exit and an empty netter.
Karlsson to Smith to Marchessault to Goodnight.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 9, 2020
Awesome response from the Golden Knights. Game is tied, they come back and control the puck and steal the game right back. Weird goal, but you can't get em if you aren't attacking.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 9, 2020
Really good 1st period across the board for VGK. Created plenty of chances offensively, created a pair that no goalie stops, kept the dangerous chances to a minimum, no penalties, got all the saves. Been a while since they've played a great 1st period. It was needed tonight.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 8, 2020
vgk alberta
Gutsy victory tonight. They badly needed the win, and they had to overcome a Calgary surge to do it.
They seem to play better with Lehner in net. He was not on top of his game tonight, but still got the W.
Back in 1st place, let’s see if they can hopefully beat Edm and get 4 pts ahead of them tomorrow.
They are missing 3 big forwards…Stone, Tuch, who is about to return, and Jack Dugan, the top prospect who is playing at Providence college, and he may be signed and in uniform soon if his team loses next weekend to end their season.
Tim
I don’t know about anyone else but the intensity of these games drive my wife and I bonkers. Hockey is such a crazy game everyone can beat everyone there are no gimmies. Big win last night now tonight is our next big game. I think besides the Redwings every game we have left the teams are fighting for playoff positioning. If I don’t have a heart attack before all this is over it will be amazing.
Big game for Fleury tonight he has to perform or Lehner will take over and as much as Fleury has meant to the Knights I hope he picks up his game.It’s easy to see how much we miss Stone he just does so much on the ice all the little things sure hope his season isn’t done. I like the improvement of Roy and Whitecloud getting better every game. When Stone gets back putting Roy on the third line with Tuch we’ll have to big heavy players along with Stephenson which should improve point production. Then our fourth line the reliable line for three years of Nosek, Reeves, and Carrier will do there thing. Then Nick Cousins will be a good depth player and bring on the Stanley Cup I hope.