The Golden Knights hit the road for a four-game road trip to the Eastern Conference starting in Columbus. Vegas took a 2-0 lead in the opening period, receiving goals from William Karlsson and William Carrier.
Columbus scored the only goal on the 2nd period, cutting Vegas’ lead in half.
The Golden Knights record improves to (17-6-1) defeating the Blue Jackets 3-2 in shootout. Vegas will travel to Pittsburgh for their second of the four-game road trip. Puck drop against the Penguins is scheduled for 4P PT. (Recap by Jason)
Close up of Eichel shows two spots for stitches. Saving grace is that it looks like the puck sort of hit him flat. Lucky he doesn't have a broken eye-socket.
The Golden Knights were looking to bounce back against the Vancouver Canucks after losing to the Seattle Kraken on Friday. The Canucks got off to an early start, scoring the only two goals of the first period. Vegas took three 1st period penalties that Vancouver took advantage of.
Trailing 2-0, the Golden Knights tried to stop the bleeding, but they continued to commit costly penalties. The Canucks scored three times and took a commanding 5-0 lead after 40 minutes of action.
Vegas let out their frustrations in the final period, dropping gloves multiple times with Vancouver players. Jonathan Marchessault and Keegan Kolesar both took five-minute penalties for fighting in the final period. Marchessault even snapped the Canucks shutout, but the Golden Knights wouldn’t get any closer.
The Golden Knights record drops to (16-6-1) losing to the Canucks 5-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Next, Vegas will pack their suitcases for a four-game, ten-day road trip. Puck drop against the Columbus Blue Jackets is scheduled for 4P PT on Monday. (Recap by Jason)
Optimistic intern is making an appearance. I’ve never seen a 5 goal comeback in person so tonight would be a cool time to see it.
The Golden Knights hosted the Seattle Kraken for the first of a back-to-back set at T-Mobile Arena. The Kraken opened the scoring 2:38 into the game and took a 2-0 advantage six minutes later. Vegas worked their way back and evened the score at 2-2 before the 1st intermission.
Like the 1st period, Seattle came out strong and scored in the opening five minutes of the middle frame. The Kraken would later double their lead late in the 2nd period and held a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of action.
The offense dried up for both teams in the 3rd period. Vegas went scoreless over the final 40 minutes, mustering only six shots on net in the frame.
The Golden Knights record drops to (16-5-1) falling to the Kraken 4-2. It was Vegas’ first loss to Seattle in franchise history. The Golden Knights get right back to work tomorrow night against the Vancouver Canucks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7P PT. (Recap by Jason)
The Golden Knights returned home from Western Canada for a Thanksgiving eve matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Former Senator Mark Stone gave his current team a 1-0 advantage with a 1st period power play goal. Ottawa scored on the PP as well locking in a 1-1 tie after the opening twenty minutes.
This season’s most surprising player William Carrier weaved in and out through Ottawa’s defense to regain the lead for Vegas late in the middle frame. Carrier’s 7th goal of the season made it 2-1 Vegas after two periods.
William Karlsson didn’t wait long in the final period to add more offense. Karlsson roofed a backhanded shot past the Senators goalie, taking a two goal edge. In the final minutes, Jack Eichel scored a long-distance empty netter to seal Vegas’ victory.
The Golden Knights record improves to (16-4-1) defeating the senators 4-1. Vegas will next face Seattle on Friday evening from The Fortress. Puck drop against the Kraken is scheduled for 5P PT. (Recap by Jason)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Carrier-esque goal by Karlsson!!! Spinorama like Denis Savard!!! Yikes!! 3-1 Knights
The Golden Knights took a short trip from Alberta to British Columbia for a road matchup against the Canucks. Vancouver thought they had taken the first lead of the game but coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the goal and the officials ruled in his favor. The game was scoreless after the opening twenty minutes.
Vancouver officially took the lead midway through the middle frame waking up Vegas’ offense. Jack Eichel flung the puck on net and Mark Stone deflected in the game-tying goal. Less than a minute left, William Carrier scored the go ahead goal assisted again by Eichel. The Golden Knights carried a 2-1 advantage into the 2nd intermission.
The Canucks came out red hot in the final frame, scoring three straight goals in the opening 6:11 of the period. However, Vegas stormed back. Trailing 4-2, Carrier got his team within one, scoring his second of the game and Reilly Smith jammed in the equalizer. The Golden Knights believed they had taken the lead but Mark Stone’s goal was waived off. Minutes later Alex Pietrangelo scored cleanly for the game winning goal.
The Golden Knights record improves to (15-4-1) defeating the Canucks 5-4 in Vancouver. Vegas will next face the Ottawa Senators Wednesday night from the Fortress. Puck drop is scheduled for 7P PT. (Recap by Jason)
3 out of 4 points on the trip. Vancouver not a great team, and VGK not playing their best, but you have to like the offensive zone work in that 3rd period. If only 81 could have buried one of those empty netters!
Saturday’s game in Edmonton didn’t end like the Golden Knights had planned. In reality, when superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl score in the same game, picking up a point isn’t half bad. With a win tonight in Vancouver, Vegas will have a chance to return home with three of a possible four divisional points. Not bad for a two game set against Pacific teams scratching and clawing for wins.
At least a point on the road in Edmonton is good. But VGK should have won this game in regulation. Could've used one on the PP.
Okay, it’s not a five game, eleven day road trip to the East Coast but traveling to Western Canada can be a challenge. Rewind back to last season when the Golden Knights were chasing instead of leading the division. Edmonton and Vancouver pitched in by spoiling Vegas’ 2021-22 playoff dreams. In three crucial games in mid-April, Vegas left Western Canada with on win.
This season the tables have turned. At the moment, Vegas has a 96% chance to qualify for the playoffs, Vancouver has a bleak 21% chance. There’s no sugar-coating it, the Canucks have had a nightmare start to the season. Just picture the complete opposite of the Golden Knights first 19 games. Not only does losing suck but each Vancouver loss is followed with unpleasant questions about coach dismissals, player fire sales and underachieving personnel. From this point going forward Vancouver will have to outperform the entire division for a sniff of a playoff run.
We know who are next opponents are. You keep the shots to the outside. Most of them won’t go in.-Bruce Boudreau, Canucks coach
For the Golden Knights, it’s another opportunity to separate themselves from another club in the Pacific. So far, the Golden Knights have earned at least one point in five of six divisional matchups. If they pick up any more tonight, Vegas will have points against each Pacific team with the exception of Calgary. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until late February for a second battle with the Flames.
The Golden Knights traveled to Edmonton for a Saturday night matchup against the Oilers. Edmonton jumped out to a quick start, taking the 1-0 lead in the opening minutes of the 1st period. Vegas had multiple opportunities on the power play but couldn’t find the back of the net. Late in the period, depth forward Keegan Kolesar evened the score to take a 1-1 tie into the 1st intermission.
The middle period started out great for Vegas when Mark Stone scored the tie-breaking goal on a penalty shot. Unfortunately, six minutes later Leon Draisaitl beat Adin Hill on a goal that could have been stopped. Vegas’ penalty kill worked hard to keep the game tight and locked in a 2-2 tie after 40 minutes of action.
Edmonton began the penalty on the power play and took advantage of the opportunity. The Oilers took a 3-2 lead deep into the period when Stone tied the game once again with his second goal of the game. The contest needed to be decided in overtime. Connor McDavid skated through the defense and flipped one over Adin Hill for the two points.
The Golden Knights record drops to (14-4-1) losing to the Oilers 4-3 in OT. Vegas will take a short trip to Vancouver for a matchup against the Canucks on Monday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 730P PT. (Recap by Jason)
At least a point on the road in Edmonton is good. But VGK should have won this game in regulation. Could've used one on the PP.
Didn't like the first two goals against on Hill (Foegele, Draisaitl). But he made two huge saves in the third to get VGK a point. No fault on the last two goals (Hyman & McDavid).
It was clear that last night’s 7-4 victory in Buffalo was an emotional game not just for Jack Eichel but the entire Golden Knights locker room. Realistically, the team could have been caught looking forward to their flight home, but Vegas came out like it was the biggest game on the road trip. From the comments by the players after the game, it sure seemed like it.
He’s one of the more impressive teammates I’ve ever played with, if not the best player I’ve ever played with. It’s all about support in this locker room. Everybody supporting each other and I couldn’t be happier for the guy, he deserves it. -Mark Stone
We noted earlier this month that the long Eastern Conference road trip could help grow an already healthy team chemistry and it showed against the Sabres. Sure, OT winners in Washington and Toronto should be considered taxing victories but neither felt as important as the contest up in Northern New York. From the players to the coach, anyone in white and gold was emotionally invested in shutting up the heckling fans in Buffalo. Bench boss Bruce Cassidy made his declaration on the intense, revenge game when he spoke with ESPN in the 1st period.
The puck has found Jack a couple of times in great spots, hopefully he buries one. -Bruce Cassidy, on ESPN broadcast
Eichel’s retribution was important to him but possibly even more to his teammates. Leaving Buffalo with two points was the club’s only mission and they were well prepared for a passionate battle against the Sabres. Last night could have been the loudest confirmation of how strong the bond is in the 13-2-0 Golden Knights locker room. Unbeaten in nine straight games, five on an eleven-day road trip and finishing with a statement win in Buffalo is exactly how a tight group travels back home.
The Golden Knights are currently 10 points ahead of the 2021-22 team at this point in the regular season. More goals, more victories, more cheer. The word is out, the public is noticing VGK’s quick start and bounce back from last season. Thankfully for fans, the Golden Knights don’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon.
VGK Last Seven Games
7-0-0
+12 Goal Differential
3.86 Goals Scored Per Game
2.00 Goals Allowed Per Game
6 Power Play Goals
2 Shorthanded Goals
34.1 Shots Per Game
Tonight, in Toronto the Golden Knights will have a chance to win their eighth game in a row. The streak has stretched two weeks, beginning in Nevada and continuing in Eastern Canada. During their run, Vegas has defeated divisional rivals, conference contenders, Hart Trophy winners, a Vezina trophy winner, and several future Hall of Famers. Since October 24th, the Golden Knights’ offense per game is fifth-best (3.86) and third in goals allowed per game (2.00). Frankly, it’s been an impressive run for Bruce Cassidy’s club.
Noticeably, all seven victories have been won in different fashions. From toppling opponents, or squeaking by in overtime, to jumping out to a lead or playing from behind, Vegas has shown an array of ways to succeed. Here’s how each game was won.
Monday, October 24th: VGK 3-1 vs. TOR
Offense Jumps on Early Opportunities
The Golden Knights started their win streak by attacking the Maple Leafs from the moment the puck was dropped. After Toronto committed an early too many men on the ice penalty, Nic Roy gave Vegas a 1-0 lead on the expiring power play. Later, Chandler Stephenson scored the eventual game-winning goal 0:42 into the final frame. The Golden Knights controlled the game from the jump and won it within the first minute of the final period.
Tuesday, October 25th: VGK 4-2 @ SJ
Third Period Takeover
Through 40 minutes in San Jose, the Golden Knights looked flat. The Sharks offense, defense, and goaltending were outperforming a clearly more talented road team. Immediately after the second intermission the Golden Knights flipped a switch and exploded for three 3rd period goals. Shea Theodore scored 0:55 in, William Karlsson and Mark Stone capped off the 4-2 victory with goals of their own. Vegas came away with another two points where they weren’t the best team for most of the night. In the end, the better team took over in the most crucial moments.
Tonight, in Ottawa the Golden Knights continue a challenging five-game eastern conference road trip. This is the first extended journey for Vegas this season. Up until now, the Pacific Division leader’s longest road trip was a two-game trip to Seattle and Calgary. It’s possible the Golden Knights are fortunate to go on a cross-coast so early in the season. Normally, lengthy road trips allow a chance for players to bond and go through the grind together. Five cities in ten days against teams all with a .500 winning% or higher will help grow chemistry.
With the exception of the 2020-21 shortened season, the Golden Knights annually take an early season trek to the east coast for a handful of games. Here are the results from the previous five seasons.
VGK’s First Extended Road Trip Of The Season
2021-22: (2-2-0) – L 4-0 @TOR, W 5-1 @OTT, W 5-2 @MTL, L 5-2 @DET
2020-21: (2-1-0) – L 3-2 @COL, W 3-0 @COL, W 3-2 @ANA
2019-20: (1-2-1) – W 2-1 @CBJ, OTL 2-1 @TOR, L 5-2 @WAS, L 3-2 @DET
2018-19: (2-3-0) – W 2-1 @MIN, L 4-2 @BUF, L 5-2 @WAS, L 4-2 @PIT, W 1-0 @PHI
2017-18: (1-4-1) – L 6-3 @NYI, L 6-4 @NYR, L 2-1 @BOS, W 5-4 @OTT, SOL 3-2 @TOR, L 3-2 @MTL
Traditionally this road trip hasn’t been kind to the Golden Knights. Defeating the Capitals 3-2 in Washington was a good start for the Golden Knights, considering they’ve lost their opening matchup four out of five years. Since the opening season Vegas has combined for only 18 of 42 points on their early November trips. The 2017-18 club struggled to the point that former coach Gerard Gallant made his now infamous “we’re not an expansion team” speech after losing to the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Thanks to the one and only @marcsavard for acting as tonight’s guest tweeter. Marc deserves credit for bringing some necessary good luck, snapping the Golden Knights two game losing streak. Thanks for filling in Marc!
Thank you for spending your evening with me, and thanks to Qatari Qen for letting me have the keys to the Sin Bin Twitter account. I'm @marcsavard good night everyone!
