Recap: The Golden Knights welcomed in the blazing hot Tampa Bay Lightning team for a Thursday night game at The Fortress. The Lightning got on the board first 7:02 into the game. However, newly acquired defenseman Alec Martinez tied the game for Vegas 1-1 late in opening period.
Reilly Smith set up Paul Statsny 6:45 into the 2nd period giving Vegas the 2-1 lead. Tampa tied the game on a power play goal by Steven Stamkos. The game wouldn’t be tied for long as Mark Stone gave his team the 3-2 lead a minute later.
Vegas held a one goal lead going into the 3rd period but Ryan Reaves scored his 7th goal of the season right off the faceoff. Max Pacioretty added his 28th :37 seconds after later on the power play. In a blink the Golden Knights held a commanding 5-2 lead. Tampa got a power play goal but Vegas would close out the game 5-3.
Vegas’ record improves to 32-22-8 and now have 72 points on the season. The team will get back to business on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers. Puck drops at 7p. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It didn’t start out pretty but as the game wore on the normal Golden Knights vs Lightning game broke out. Vegas controlled the even-strength play for a majority of the back half of the game and put themselves in a position to end the hottest team in hcokey’s win streak. The Golden Knights are back to looking like the team that entered the season as the favorites to win the Western Conference. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning at T-Mobile Arena
- Reading between the lines of The Creator’s comments on the trade deadline
- A shift-by-shift look at Alec Martinez’s debut in Vegas
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Max Pacioretty
** Mark Stone
* Alec Martinez
4 straight terrific wins by the Golden Knights.
This is the team they are supposed to be.
When they play like this, the Western Conference should be scared.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 21, 2020
"This is instantly the hardest building to play in as an opponent, I learned that the hard way when you guys swept us in the playoffs.
I'm certainly happy to be on the good side of things now." -Alec Martinez in-arena postgame
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 21, 2020
11 game win streak… OVER pic.twitter.com/QcuOUoN1Ui
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 21, 2020
Something about the matchup. The Golden Knights are better than the Lightning at even-strength. Been 3 years of the same story.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 21, 2020
Vgk2020
great win. the Knights are rolling now. 4 straight vs top teams in the league. First place in the Pacific now.
Martinez, after a jittery, nervous start, really played great, and he showed his versatility. blocking shots, scoring clutch goals, key pokecheck assist, and leadership on the blueline vs a very topnotch team. He looked more like the Martinez of a few years ago in LA. …good trade.
Now they need to get rid of that crappy Eakin. He is hurting the team this season. I would rather see Stephenson at center.
and Fleury is starting to regain some of his old magic.
let’s keep it going.
Tim
Who would have thought we’d beat all 4 teams. The team is playing some good hockey and let’s hope this is a start of a run to the finish line. Alec was kind of funny last night his first shot was a wiff it just shows were all human and then he settled in. Looks like a good pickup for the push next up Wild Bill needs a fellow Swede on the team and Erik Gustafsson looks like the man. An offensive D-Man would be nice if we can extend his contract. We still need to fix the third line not sure if we can.
Mark
Patches has the best slap shot in the league. The dude is leathel. He reminds me of a sniper, his shot is deadly !!