Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the Colorado Avalanche for their last game before the Christmas break. Unfortunately, for the Golden Knights the visitors scored the opening goal. Old friend Pierre-Eduard Bellemare put Colorado ahead 1-0 with a quick backhand passed Marc-Andre Fleury. Bellemare’s former linemate Ryan Reaves tied the game for Vegas midway through the period. However, the Avalanche took over the remaining ten minutes adding two more goals. After the opening period Vegas trailed Colorado 3-1.
There wasn’t much scoring in the early parts of the 2nd period but there were some fireworks. Deryk Engelland and Valeri Nichushkin dropped gloves, both earning five minute penalties. Max Pacioretty got Vegas within one with his 16th of the season, but the Avalanche continued to bring their offense. Colorado added two more, including another goal from Bellemare. After 40 minutes, the Golden Knights trailed 5-2.
William Carrier got Vegas back within two early in the 3rd period but Colorado would score and get that goal right back. The Avalanche defeated Vegas 7-3.
Vegas’ record drops to20-14-6 and sit with 46 points, tied with Arizona for the Pacific Division lead. The players will have a few days off for the holidays and get back on the ice Friday. Vegas will face the Ducks in Anaheim, face off is scheduled for 7PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It was far from the Golden Knights best game of the year but they didn’t play as poorly as the score indicated, especially through the 1st period. A number of poor giveaways led to Colorado chances and they cashed in on all of them. Meanwhile, Vegas created a number of solid chances but Francouz was solid. It hasn’t happened often in Vegas but the Golden Knights lost because their goaltender was outplayed by his counterpart. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena.
- Despite the poor game against Colorado, a positive article about Shea Theodore
- Photo gallery from the game
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Max Pacioretty
** Ryan Reaves
* William Carrier
Tough day for the contenders in the Pacific
Arizona lost 3-2 at NSH
Vegas lost 7-3 vs COL
Edmonton lost 4-2 at VAN
Calgary lost 3-0 at MIN— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 24, 2019
Fleury stops that most of the time…
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 24, 2019
Subban needs to go in when this period ends. Fleury looks terrible, and it's not just on the goals.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 24, 2019
Easy ed
I feel for flower l can’t recall a time he looked so bad he just doesn’t have it at the moment. That doesn’t account for previous performance against same Colorado club. I really hate the excuses for the team in general just acknowledge the situation they weren’t that good. It wasn’t fair to leave him in there to be humiliated which based on his performance was certainly the case. Had the team been able to capitalize on some of the chances in first period it might have been different but l doubt it. No Santa tonight at t mobile for vegas.
Patrick Roy part deux
A terrible decision by the coach to start Fleury when it has been obvious that he is not on his game since the death of his father. And Fleury’s poor play early on led to the team losing their confidence and playing poorly too.
Even worse, the fact that Subban has played well lately should have made the decision easy. But no, Gallant risked Fleury’s confidence, and then compounded it by leaving him in to suffer an embarrassing 7 goal blowout. The Patrick Roy debacle in Montreal comes to mind as a similar situation… as Fleury angrily stomped off to the dressing room, it was clear that this was no ordinary loss. Will there be lingering bad effects from this? we shall see
Easy ed
Given it is obvio us to outsiders why didn’t the. Ccosch just pull Fleury and save him the embarrassments. It had to be very hard on flower with the Dads trip I can only magine the pain having lost a number of love ones.