Recap: The Golden Knights welcomed not only the Minnesota Wild but more importantly the return of VGK fans in the building. The 1st period was tight but both teams had plenty of chances on net. After the opening 20 minutes the game was locked in a scoreless tie.
The offense picked up in the middle frame. Cody Glass and Max Pacioretty picked up a power play goal a piece, but the Wild strongly answered. Minnesota scored four 2nd period goals to carry a 4-2 lead into the second intermission.
It took Vegas almost half of the 3rd period to get their first shot on net. The Wild did a good job of locking up defensively limiting the Golden Knights chances in the final period. However, Nic Hague was able to keep his team in the game with his second goal of the season. Vegas pulled Marc-Andre Fleury late and it paid off. Alex Tuch’s eighth goal of the season tied the game 4-4 with :42 seconds left in the game. Pacioretty added his second goal to win the game in overtime.
With their impressive come from behind 5-4 victory in OT the Golden Knights record improves to 13-4-1. The two teams matchup again on Wednesday night. The game is scheduled for 7 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Well, they let the fans back in for the right game. It was probably the best game of the season from a competitive standpoint and the Golden Knights simply would not be denied. Mark Stone played like a runaway Hart Trophy candidate and the rest of the team jumped on his back in the 3rd period. The 2nd is definitely concerning considering how the Wild exploited VGK a bit, but in the end, who cares, what a comeback win. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena (with 2,600 fans!)
- Minnesota’s style of play a bit of a different look
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Mark Stone
** Mark Stone
* Mark Stone
Honorable mention – Alex Tuch
Let's talk about a wild (get it?) night with fans back at T-Mobile Arena. https://t.co/DSVq5pr1af
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
Mark EFFING Stone!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
5. Primary. Assists. pic.twitter.com/tbhSpNervd
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
Mark Stone is usually a very excitable person. He was out of control tonight. Played the game emotionally like it was the Stanley Cup Final.
(And this is about the tamest he was) pic.twitter.com/SUlOmFSUGc
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
Mark Stone with another brilliant pass!!
Do not forget the play by Theodore to deny that empty netter too. VGK busted their asses to get back into this game and they did it. What a comeback!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
As I was saying… https://t.co/cWnxs0GXVp
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2021
knights fan from minny
WOW….just WOW. What finish.
vgk21
Great comeback win tonight. Stone was incredible with his passing, and leadership, and the Knights just came alive with that goal by Hague. outstanding comeback.
Bad night for Coghlan though . He was the main culprit on goals 2 and 3 by Minn. He could not clear the puck out of the zone, or cover his man in front. Just awful. so he got benched in the 3rd period, but that was almost too late. The team bailed him out bigtime.
Pistol Pete
Avs lose 6-2 to another “weak” team the Sharks.
Pistol Pete
Wednesday we play better.
A VGK Fan
Can we talk about how AP is not playing like a $8M player is supposed to??? Shea outplays him every game. So does Martinez. AP looking very average out there for a high paid player
Julie
I believe the defense issue was prominent in the second period. It’s interesting because Petro always sounds so confident in his post game interviews.
I also read Fleury took a puck to the head during practice yesterday. He shook it off, but I wonder how that affects him.
vgk21
his defensive play has been fine. the Knights lead the division in fewest goals allowed, and are 2nd to Tampa by one goal in fewest allowed in the whole league. And he draws the assignments to stop the best players on the opposing team, such as MacKinnon etc
However, I agree that his offensive production has been subpar. The one obvious glaring weakness is his inability to move laterally along the offensive blueline to get off a shot, like Theodore or a Quinn Hughes can do. He just stands there and tries to force a shot thru a defender from 60 feet, and that seldom works. Also, after 10 years with the Blues, he is still adjusting to a different style of hockey with different forwards who do not scramble in front of the net like a lot of teams, but instead depend on east west passes and fancy plays to create offense.
I think it will improve in time, but he will not be scoring 17 goals here. not with 60 foot wrist shots.
Hdbiker7851
13 mill for two additions ( the walrus and Piet) that haven’t done anything for ROI. That and the splash brothers wanted to get rid of Fleury – not exactly what you would referr to as good management. On a positive note a great comeback win after a less than stellar performance in the second. They couldn’t even ice the puck – a speciality of a previous defenseman.
David
I must be in the minority. I think he’s looking more comfortable and really activating well in the offensive zone.
Emilio
Freaking A! I thought I was the only one! AP gives up D consistently and it’s hard to watch because we all know how talented he is. It’s going to be tough to get some detail work from the coaching staff just for AP due to the schedule ahead but I doubt he’ll need it. The guy is a phenomenal, hopefully he gets it together soon and starts to produce a little more.
Emilio
Whitecloud has moments when he also looks better than AP. Honestly it appears AP just hasn’t hit his stride with VGK yet.
Pistol Pete
Healthy scratched Roy for Kolesar. Wasn’t sure how well that was working.
vgk21
It worked terrible. the 4th line was minus 3 on the night. and they got beat by very average 4th liners on the Wild.. Roy is clearly a better defensive forward than any of the other 3 guys they used…. 75, 28, or Nosek.
Pistol Pete
I agree Roy is better defensively which is paramount. I do think Carrier due to his speed would do better on a more offensive line. I like to think he can blossom offensively in a more offensive role.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
Wild dominating, again … then … BOOM, magic returns to the Fortress.
Real bad defensive end breakdown in 2nd. The rookie had a tuff period, as did Flurey.
The CAPTAIN leads the way back. Big win!
With 3 games in 4 days coming, will Logan Thomas get his first start?
Pistol Pete
Thompson, Saturday in San Jose. That would be interesting indeed.
Pistol Pete
Would it not be Dansk? He played the last game for the Silver Knights and is their starter I’m pretty sure.
Pistol Pete
Nice onetimer by Hague. He’s he can really blast it. We’ll be seeing more of these types of goals from him.
Pistol Pete
Would be nice ifIvan Morosov will agree to come over here from the KHL and play for the Silver Knights.
Pistol Pete
Looking forward to Friday’s game and see if Dugan can keep his streak alive. Averaging just better than a point a game the first 8 games. Did he really put on nearly 25 Lb.?
THE hockey GOD
PBD hit all the right buttons recognizing match ups and changing things up when needed. Prior coach would have been struggling.
Not enough credit can be give to PBD right now, firing on all cylinders with decision making.
Pistol Pete
He definitely is cerebral.
Tim
Yes Coghlan had a bad game but remember he’s only 21 with maybe 12 games with the Knights under his belt you learn from your mistakes. Fleury had two flukey goes against him and we had two PP goals so that all evened out. The Wild give us a tuff time so I’ll take any win. I can’t wait until the arena is full again.
Pistol Pete
4th line Carrier/Nosek/Reaves:
Career:
Reaves (age 34): 97 pts/667 games (-18)
Nosek (age 28): 49 pts/230 games (-14)
Carrier (age 26): 40 pts/221 games (-12)
Always seems like with his size and speed if only Carrier was better at getting the puck in the net or will improve at it going forward especially if he’s moved up.
I certainly agree with Ken’s post Wild game assessment that Reaves needs to go. There are numerous 4th line possibilities that include Kolesar and Dugan both of whom have the size. With Reaves out it becomes a question of keeping Nosek and Carrier. Roy has the size and is a center.
Reaves out:
Carrier/Nosek/Kolesar
Roy says on the 3rd line or?….
With his size and speed try Carrier with Marchessault and Karlsson and see if his scoring increases. Still just 26 years old.
Pistol Pete
It definitely would be rewarding to see Carrier’s scoring blossom on a high scoring line. That speed of his is plain to see. 6’2” 218.
sb
The opinions two months ago that Smith should be named Captain have sure died down.
A VGK Fan
I still believe Reilly smith should be captain. Just because he’s not putting up points doesn’t mean he’s not captain worthy. No one ever questions his skill set or work ethic. He’s a misfit original and one of the most well rounded of the bunch. And his contract isn’t going to ever be an issue for the team.
Julie
Yes. What A VGK Fan said.
hdbiker7851
Why beat a dead horse – the wrong decision was made naming Stone – in my opinion Smith was and is a better all round player. That’s not taking anything away from Stone as he is clicking along. I will also point out that all the fuss about getting rid of Fleury has certainly reversed course if you haven’t noticed sb.
Pistol Pete
Just can’t get it out my head today that Carrier is under utilized on the 4th line. Drafted in the second round by the Blues at age 18, he had a respectable AHL career tallying 56 pts in 127 games. For sure with his speed he could keep up with a line like Karlsson and Marchessault where his scoring is certain to improve.
Pistol Pete
Nice “Knights Rising” on Cody Glass (see VGK website). Imo Glass has real upside. First, he bulked up and it shows in his play. Second, if not already fast ( Ithink he’s already comparable in speed to Stone and Pacioretty) he can get faster. I already see the improvement with more on the horizon.