Recap: The Golden Knights got off to a great start against the Blues. Reilly Smith opened the scoring with his third goal in three consecutive games. Later in the period Chandler Stephenson shot a shorthanded laser to stretch the lead. After the opening twenty minutes Vegas held a 2-0 lead.
The scoring dried up for most of the second period until the Blues took advantage of a 4-on-4 situation. With :36 left in the middle frame St. Louis cut the lead in half.
The Golden Knights were awarded an early power play in the third period and Smith cashed in again. Vegas held a 3-1 advantage for most of the entire period until Smith scored an empty net goal registering his first career hat trick.
Vegas’ record improves to 39-13-2 after their 4-1 victory against St. Louis. The Golden Knights host the Avalanche in a big late season matchup on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: For the first 2 periods, the Golden Knights completely outclassed the Blues in just about every phase of the game. St. Louis had a bit of pushback in the 3rd but Vegas held strong and snuffed out any thought of a comeback. Play like that, and St. Louis won’t win a game in a playoff series against the Golden Knights. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena
- Steve Carp’s Sunday column
- Forecheck awareness against STL
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Marc-Andre Fleury
** Reilly Smith
* Reilly Smith
VGK just laid out a heck of a blueprint on how to win a playoff series against this team if it does indeed come to that next week.
Take care of the puck, dominate possession, structure in the neutral zone, capitalize on their undisciplined nature.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 9, 2021
7,567 people is still enough to generate plenty of hat trick hats. pic.twitter.com/2Zii7pfiP9
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 9, 2021
Has the Year of Reilly Smith begun again?
That's 4 goals in the last 3 games now.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 9, 2021
VGK simply outclassing the Blues tonight.
STL seemed to view this game as a pretty important barometer before the playoffs. They have to be rethinking any confidence they have about that potential series.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 9, 2021
Mark
Any word on Krebs ?? He got hit in the face with the puck. Hope he’s OK, that a talented kid, we need him !
Ken Boehlke
No word on Krebs.
Jeff
Who starts in goal for the important game on Monday?
Ken Boehlke
I’m hoping it’s Fleury. Not necessarily because I care whether or not he’s the starter (I think he should be but I’m not nuts about it) but I want them to make the decision now to avoid the drama that comes with it later.
THE hockey GOD
some players prefer not to know , until game. Monday’s practice will reveal, be patient wait for it.
I don’t see whether it matters or not. Trying to make a story out of non story.
I figure it will be the walrus since PDB sticks to his game plan most of the time.
Julie
HG, I also think PDB will go with Lehner on Monday. Just because he’s rotating until he can’t rotate anymore.
Daryl
Remember.l, last yearPDB said was rotating them used Lehner in back to back games. With that said I do think Lehner gets the nod
Blitz
I think if Lenher gots the nod we will lose. Avs speed is too fast for him and he is hit or miss lately. You can’t go down, make a save, throw out a rebound, and lay there for 10 secs leaving the net open. Avs are too fast to get it back on net. Break aways are usually frequent as well. I do think Lenher has handled break aways well the last couple of games, but fluery is must better, faster, and more clever.
Tim
Pete’s going to lose some sleep before making his goalie decision. I’m glad we had both and they both did a good job but now I’ve got to go with Fleury and if he falters then go to Lehner. I think after last years debacle Fleury has something to prove. Monday’s line should be interesting. To bad about Krebs let’s just hope he didn’t break his jaw which is very possible.
Ken any news from the Kremlin to when Reeves, Nosak, and Patch are coming back.
THE hockey GOD
Kremlin ??? The players are hurt and will be back when they are ready to play. Deal with it.
VGK played KREBS too early, he was in over his head. He was getting bounced around out there.
VGK is paying the price for playing a 20 yr old boy against MEN.
PBD is not losing any sleep, he stated was his plan was going to be and he usually sticks with it.
gheez- lousie, stop over dramatizing everything.
Tim
HD, Kremlin meaning Russia meaning secretive meaning no information. To have a clue to when and if when players could be back would be nice don’t you think. Playoffs a week away would be nice to be at full strength. Krebs caught an unlucky shot it happens has nothing to do with his ability to play at 20 years old.
THE hockey GOD
i know what kremlin means, which team are you on payroll? Wild ? Avs? Blues? Are you a spy for other team ? No need to give the enemy any useful information WHAT SO EVER. Hockey is WAR on ICE.
Krebs was being bounced around like a pinball in a pinball machine. IF he wasn’t being bounced around so much he wouldn’t have taken a puck to face in the first place !! He trips over the blue line. He is not ready for prime time yet. What do you look at when you are watching the ice? The cheerleaders up in the stands ? Krebs development is better served in AHL playoffs.
Mike StG
Hockey, not sure I agree with your comments on Krebs. I was at the game and watched him closely before he got injured. He looked fine, held his own on the boards, positioned himself well. He wasn’t out of position when Shea’s shot hit him on the face. He was at the side of the net positioning himself for a rebound opportunity, and didn’t see the shot coming. He’s also not the youngest player to play in the NHL – Hughes, LaFreniere, Petterson, Hischier. At 20 y/o he looks fine out there. Already better than Glass imo. Can see why they moved him up to Stone line last game. He’d be good as a replacement in playoffs for injuries. They needed to know before playoffs what his potential was. Hopefully not a serious injury.
sb
Krebs is not ready for the NHL. A look-see, OK. Time to go to the Silver Knights and learn about the professional level.
THE hockey GOD
^^^ditto^^^ not ready for prime time.
hopefully they didn’t rush him and hopefully not a career ending injury. Seen this happen too many times where a team rushes a prospect too fast. Then BAM ! It’s over before it started.
Daryl
I agree about Krebs. He looked good but he isn’t ready for the NHL speed just yet
DOC (magic # 3 pts)
FEARLESS WARRIORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only three lines, after Krebbs injury.
Big Monday coming!
THE hockey GOD
yes Big game
“Only three lines, after Krebbs injury”
time to bring in fresh troops ? Where they going to get them ?
Vegas Rhonda
This is a question from a fan still still learning how the NHL standings work: I see the Maple Leafs, Penguins, and Hurricanes have all just clinched their division titles. My question to you is: Why haven’t the Knights clinched the West division yet?
THE hockey GOD
Why haven’t the Knights clinched the West division yet? – because the points race is too close. Vegas has four point lead over AVS. Vegas has 80 point with two games left. If they lose the last two games they end up with 80 points. AVS have 76 points with three games left. If AVS win all three the get six points and end up with 82 points. Minnesota has 75 points with two games left, they can get 79 points, can’t win division. AVs and VGS can tie with same number of points. I don’t know what tie breaker is. I think it’s straight up wins minus loses or percentage. I found it:
Tie-Breaking Procedure
The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., “Regulation Wins”). …
The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout.
Vegas Rhonda
Thanks, hockey God! : ))
Ken Boehlke
Colorado is close enough in the standings that they can still mathematically catch the Golden Knights.
THE hockey GOD
the VGK is better off trading their no. 1 picks rather than screwing them up playing them too early all the time.
sez me
Julie
HG, I think of Krebs, Hague, Janmark, Coglan, etc. like the young pups trying to get into the pack. We just got a rescue, 6 mos old, Lab/Mastiff mix. He is full of fire, but our older dog put him through the wringer for the first few days before accepting him into our pack. Now, he almost runs the show. I think you are right about putting them in too early, like with Krebs. But did PDB have a choice with Pacioretty, Nosek, etc being out?
THE hockey GOD
yes he had a choice , there are several players on the Silver Knights that can play in NHL, and have played in NHL.
sb
You are absolutely correct. Why draft at #32? Get a real live NHL level player. I like Foley …………… Win NOW!
Justin
Hmmm, starting Lehner would be very shrewd decision by pdb. In the biggest game of the year, sit the guy with . 927 save percentage and a 2.06 goals against average. And btw these were earned playing the best teams – every Colorado game and most of the MN games.
Instead, start the guy with the far lower save %, the higher goals against, all earned while not playing the tough offensive teams. Oh and the guy that lawless was saying should be pulled after the second in his last game for his horrible play, and the guy who I’m post game interviews looked like his confidence was gone.
Why is this even a conversation? Put it like this without any emotional attachment to Lehner, anyone looking at this from a purely analytical standpoint would think this is some sort of trick question… That only someone who wants to give the team the best chance to lose would even consider such lunacy….
Mike StG
Justin, before the two STL games their numbers in GAA and save% were identical. Both had .926 s% and both right at ~2.09. Lehner’s W-L was much better – 13-2-2 vs 24-10-0. That’s a pretty impressive W-L record. This coming from a huge fan of Marc-Andre…
Kinda unfair to dismiss Lehner over one bad game. Just keep the rotation. They’ll probably win the Jennings Trophy. Team is used to it, no goalie controversy raised, and team is currently poised to finish the season with league’s best record. What more do you want??
Daryl
You compare total records for both but leave out the competition each faced. What is Lehner record against winning teams? That would be what is his record against MIN and COL, the only other winning teams in the Division?
DOC (Go Knights Go)
I like both our goalies, as I have said often.
I will support whomever starts Monday!
IF we win Monday Knight, we WIN the division, period!
It’s totally in our hands!
sb
Lehner Monday. Fluery Wednesday. Game on.
Pistol Pete
I think Fleury because the West and President’s Trophy is at stake. Fleury because Lehner has not been at his best the last few games. He did great in the third period and OT of the OT win on Friday but needed to to make up for a couple maybe three softies. Monday is just a huge game, can’t afford goaltender lapses, and I think Fleury is considered a better risk. Lehner knows he’s been struggling and said as much following Friday’s win.
THE hockey GOD
Lehner knows he’s been struggling<<after he opened his mouth.
he also looked like a mess in post game interview.
Maybe he needs a mini vacation, the pressure may be getting to him. Time to send for Dr. Sidney Freedman (M*A*S*H).
Or maybe the shrink Charlie Harper goes to .
"you ever been to therapy before"
"yes massage therapy"
"that doesn't count"
Mike StG
Maybe the league’s relaxation of Covid protocols on playoffs for the players will ease Lehner’s frustrations. By the way, the NHL denied these protocols existed when they refuted Lehner and now they’re removing these things they said didn’t exist! How’s that for talking out of both sides of your mouth?? 🙂
Fleury has been a little better than Lehner lately, but I wonder if Lehner’s style of play would be more effective against the Avs. Marc-Andre’s athletic style will sometimes leave him way out of position and vulnerable to follow up shots, whereas if Lehner plays HIS game his style would tend to keep him better positioned for rebound or second shot attempts. I think either way it will come down to how the skaters forecheck and defend.
If it’s a matter of which goalie can steal the game, then it’s Fleury 100%. 🙂
Justin
Fleury has proven his style is a nightmare to Colorado. Did you see the interview of the reporter who covers the Avs after last game. He said the biggest challenge for the Avs going forward is MAF. He’s held them in check, with a lot of extremely athletic saves. CO has so many quick players, quick passes, that Lehner’s style is the absolute worst for that… He’s extremely slow compared to maf, and when he battles he falls down a lot and takes way too long to get back up. He is very slow to get to the other side of the net as well so has a very hard time blocking shots from cross passes. He’s had a real hard time lately with allowing rebounds as well, and get move fast enough to block the rebounded shot.
Pistol Pete
MacKinnon has a lower body injury. According to what I read, they want him ready for the playoffs even at the possible cost of not winning the division. Sounds like he may not play on Monday. We’ve done well against the Avs with him playing, so I’m not all that worried one way or the other.
THE hockey GOD
smart move, why risk putting him out there , he may stand in front of net with his 160 pound frame thinking he’s the second coming of the DEMOLITION MAN (Holstrom of Red wings) and get his head in awkward position and get hit by a puck that somehow gets under face shield because his head and body isn’t positioned correctly….dun dun dun.
Mike StG
hg, your sarcastic inference to Krebs is not missed. But FTR Krebs is 180 lbs, the same as Reilly Smith & Marchessault. Nice one, though. 🙂
THE hockey GOD
“FTR Krebs is 180 lbs* ”
yes all 160 pounds of him 😉
* that includes skates, gear, stick, and jersey !
(I saw his stats on NHL rotoworld)
Mike StG
Hg, try NHL.com, official site. According to Lawless, his Winnipeg Ice coach said he spent time after games working out to gain muscle weight and strength. FYI I just checked Rotoworld and they have Krebs listed at 183 lbs. 🙂
Mike StG
Justin, If Lehner plays HIS style he’s deeper in the net and that requires less side-to-side motion. He seems to be trying to play more like Fleury, more aggressive on the edges of the blue paint. It doesn’t suit his frame because once he goes down it takes a lot of time for him to recover, as you rightly point out. He’s also not as quick as Fleury like you said.
Pistol Pete
Glass got three points Saturday (1G/2A) bringing his HSK total to 10 pts/11 games and AHL regular season career to 17 pts/19 games. That stacks up nicely compared to the AHL regular season careers of the top six as listed below in descending order of games played. Clearly, significant AHL time is the norm.
Marchy: 230 games/199 pts
Stephenson: 180 games/81 pts
Karlsson: 94 games/33 pts
Stone: 91 games/79 pts
Patch: 82 games/72 pts
Smith: 45 games/35 pts
Karlsson’s AHL career was the least prolific averaging a scant .35 pts/game. Of course AHL career spans can be influenced by multiple factors including trades and injury status of the NHL parent team, for example Smith’s short career.
Glass: 19 games/17 pts