Recap: Tomas Nosek scored his eighth goal of the season early in the game giving the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead in Los Angeles. Alex Tuch quickly made a two-goal with his second goal in two games. The Kings got one back but Max Pacioretty bounced a puck in LA’s net to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
The two teams matched goals in the 2nd period with Vegas getting one from Chandler Stephenson. After 40 minutes the Golden Knights held a 4-2 advantage.
The offense didn’t slow down for Vegas. Marl Stone and Alex Pietrangelo pitched in goals to stretch the lead to 6-2. Marc-Andre Fleury was strong in net stopping 20 of 22 shots.
Vegas’ record improves to 29-11-2 after defeating LA 6-2. Vegas travels south to take on the Anaheim Ducks for the next two games. Friday night’s game is scheduled for 7 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Yes! This is what the Golden Knights need to look like. They played incredibly aggressively offensively which included a full complement of four lines with the ability to score. They were attack-oriented all night long and overwhelmed the Kings with their speed and skill. Newcomer Mattias Janmark was terrific and Tomas Jurco’s impact on the fourth line was noticeable. Play like this and Colorado might be in for some trouble. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center
- Pietrangelo redemption tour must begin in May
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Zach Whitecloud
** Mattias Janmark
* Tomas Nosek
6-2 will also be the Knights record against the Kings. https://t.co/WL435RIyCG
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 15, 2021
Attack attack attack. I love how the Golden Knights are playing tonight. This is how this team should be playing every single night.
Wave after wave after wave.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 15, 2021
Absolutely loved how Janmark took the puck from "safe" ice to "dangerous" ice, rather than sliding the puck to the point or cycling it back in.
That's the type of mindset this team needs more of. Love seeing him bring it instantly.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 15, 2021
It sure is nice having only 1 or 2 players who struggle to score in the starting lineup instead of 4 or 5.*
*Bumslaying adjusted
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 15, 2021
Mark
I was in Mammoth Lakes on a weekend ski trip watching this game and The Knights were super fast, just awesome. I was at a sports bar and it was impressive to watch, we dominated. Pietrangelo really is world class, his passing is one of a kind, our defense was sparkling. Our new guys looked happy, I’m glad we have them, they look happy, both know they are on a contender, they have a shot at a Cup and they know it. I was impressed. Krebs is in the wings waiting, he will help in the playoffs , he could be magnificent.
Howard
Great game tonight. A lot less puck cycling, and a lot more speed and attack into the zone, especially the top and 3rd line – this is how they should always play as puck cycling just slows down the game and allows opposing team to clog middle and get into better back-checking position. Tonight, team looked like a cup contender. Granted, it was The Kings who are decent.
Richard Evans
The team tonight really reminded me of the first season: attacking again and again like a pack of wolves.
Daryl
Unfortunately I didn’t get to watch the game but it is nice to see them play offense for 3 periods
THE hockey GOD
Jimmy Fox, ex LA KING, current LA KING TV color commentator is if not the best, but of the best, color commentators in hockey world.
And I have seen and heard them all from era of Foster Hewitt, Danny Gallavan/Dick Irvin. And the mighty Don Cherry.
Without the x5’s in lineup this team looks a lot faster. PDB will figure out a way to get right match ups as they go along.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
Nice win … Flurey solid!
Some crazy bounces went our way, finally!
This effort shows why I keep saying we CAN win the cup!
Jman didn’t score but good game by him. Welcome to the team!
LVsc
the difference was the 3rd line. the Knights finally have a 3rd line that can do more than just fill time.
Tuch looked like he was reinvigorated.
and props to the Anaheim Ducks, who just whipped the hated SJ Snarks 3 times in a week, in SJ, and by the scores of 5-1, 4-0, and 4-1
this will be a good test for the Vgk to play the Ducks when they are both playing well.
Daryl
The Ducks are 14-30… I disagree that this should be a good test. VGK has 4 more challenging games coming up and that is with COL in late April and MIN in early May. I don’t expect VGK to go undefeated in the other games but they should win all those other games.
Pistol Pete
“The Ducks are 14-30… I disagree that this should be a good test.”
What did people say about the Blues being a good test in 2018-2019 when they stood 15-22, went on a run and went all the way? What separates the best from the worst in the NHL is slim enough that any team including the Red Wings can beat the best team on any given day. The Ducks are not to be taken lightly by the VGK, just as the Kings were not. Ducks are not the Avs or the Wild but still.
Daryl
I agree no team should be taken lightly…. but at the same time, how often does a situation come about similar to the Blues in that season? We all know in professional sports any team can beat another on any certain day but that doesn’t mean there aren’t favorites and teams that “should” win. Teams may get hot and win a round they probably shouldn’t but very seldom do those teams make it to the end. I don’t expect VGK to go undefeated against teams other than DAL and COL, but at the same time that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t
Pistol Pete
Sabres beat the Caps 5-2.
sb
Absolutely. Finally, finally got some NHL level talent playing alongside Tuch instead of AHL deadweight anchors for him to drag along. FINALLY three scoring lines which is what it takes to be in the Cup conversation. AND, a 4th line with actual NHL level talent instead of those one dimensional tough guys adding nothing to the win column. Watch out for Washington ……….. Mantha is gonna make the Caps heavy favorites. Best 1st and 2nd lines in hockey.
Pistol Pete
As much as I like Reavo I’d rather he stay out of the lineup. As it stands today, the 4th line:
Carrier (age 26): 214 games (.20 pts/game) -8
Jurco (age 28): 216 games (.25 pts/game) -10
Roy (age 24): 74 games (.26 pts/game) +7
Wildcards:
Glass (age 22): 66 games (.33 pts/game) -1
Kolesar (age 24): 36 games (.28 pts/game) -2
I did not realize until a few weeks ago just how many NHL games Jurco has played.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Jur%C4%8Do
THE hockey GOD
Jurco plays a bit on the small size but has some speed.
Yes he has played for several teams there was a reason why he was let go. Had some injury problem.
Maybe now he is 100% and found right niche. We’ll see. I like the speed he brings to line up too.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
I’ll say again ….. ALL games are challenging! Especially this time of season.
The Ducks are playing for pride, mainly, and are on a roll.
ANY team with nothing to lose is dangerous.
THE hockey GOD
“the hated SJ Snarks ” this hate “thing” is way over played. If they hate each other so much, like media, and some of brain washed fan base think—>wait for it, then why did SJ ownership broker a deal for newly acquired no. 26 ???
And don’t say well go back and look at the history. The above first paragraph , last sentence IS HISTORY. And very recent history at that.
Daryl
I think if PDB didn’t come over and SJS were a better team then I think this could have been a great rivalry…. They way its played it they are nothing more than two teams in the same division, in which one team is good and they other is horrible
Pistol Pete
Thought Janny looked good. Would not surprise me in the least if he matures to 40 pts/season or more long term with the Knights. In any case his speed and agressiveness is just what that line needs and might be infectious to Nose as well who is playing incredible. Not beyond the realm of possibility that a player like Nosey moves up at his age and finally becomes the level of scorer he was not before. Would love to see that happen. If it doesn’t there may a place for Krebs sooner than later.
Pistol Pete
4th line: 5 shots (-1):
Jurco: 4 shots (0)
Carrier: 1 shot (0)
Roy: 0 shots (-1)
As Ken indicated, Jurco’s impact was noticeable. Hopefully this line stays sans Reaves and scores goals to close out the regular season.
Pistol Pete
Nose is averaging exactly .5 pts/game (17/34) nearly double his career pace. Clearly a break out level for him. I expect his performance to remain elevated alongside Tuch and Janmark. Exciting. Btw he averaged .6 pts/game across 176 AHL games, therefore this season he is approaching that pace.