Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap:  The Golden Knights were facing elimination and needed a road win in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals to extend their season.

Montreal captain Shea Weber opened the scoring with a power play slapshot but Vegas would quickly respond. Reilly Smith scored his first goal of the series :48 seconds later to even the game 1-1. The Golden Knights generated 10 1st period shots scoring on one. After the opening 20 minutes Game 6 was tied 1-1.

Both teams traded power plays in early minutes of the middle frame and both penalty kill units did their jobs again. Midway through the period, Montreal regained their lead on a stretch pass to young sharpshooter Cole Caufield. Vegas was awarded another man-advantage but failed to capitalize again. After 40 minutes the Canadiens held a 2-1 edge.

Alec Martinez came up big again for Vegas scoring the game-tying goal quickly into the third period. Both teams locked down and tightened up down the stretch. Regulation ended 2-2 and the game would head to overtime for third time this series.

Montreal ended the series 1:39 into overtime sending the Golden Knights home for the season.

After losing 3-2 in overtime to the Canadiens, the Golden Knights are eliminated in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals. For the second straight season, Vegas falls one series short of the Stanley Cup Finals. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Not enough changed quickly enough. And because of it, the game looked fairly similar to the last few, and the Golden Knights just couldn’t find that one extra goal to get them over the hump… a problem they are growing all too familiar with. (Analysis by Ken)

• Thanks from SinBin.vegas for following along with us during a crazy season. We’ll be here every single day until they drop the puck on Year 5.

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Alex Pietrangelo
** Reilly Smith
* Alec Martinez

Read More

Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap:  Coach Pete DeBoer went back to Marc-Andre Fleury at home for Game 5 after giving Robin Lehner the nod on Sunday. Midway through the first frame the Canadiens threaded the Golden Knights defense with a breakaway pass setting up a loose puck in front of Fleury. Montreal jumped on the rebound and scored the first goal of the game. Vegas was unsuccessful with their six shots on net and trailed 1-0 after the opening period.

The Golden Knights really struggled defensively in the 2nd period. Montreal found an open man twice in Vegas’ zone and scored twice taking a 3-0 advantage. The Golden Knights couldn’t generate offense again and went scoreless through 40 minutes.

Vegas began the 3rd period with desperation and urgency. Max Pacioretty broke through and scored the Golden Knights first goal of Game 5. Montreal continued to frustrate Vegas throughout the period and the offense dried up for the home team. The Canadiens flipped in an empty net goal and won 4-1 in Vegas.

After losing 4-1 to the Canadiens, the Golden Knights face elimination on Thursday night. The series goes back to Montreal in must-win Game 6 for Vegas. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Self-inflicted wounds haunted the Golden Knights in a big way in Game 5. They weren’t exactly playing well but they were doing enough to keep the game close. However, mistake after mistake after mistake took the game from close game to an insurmountable deficit. Vegas came back and started playing a lot better in the 3rd, but it was way too little way too late. These last six periods simply haven’t been good enough, and they’ve got six more periods to get it right. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena

• VGK beating themselves. How they can stop.

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Brayden McNabb
** Nic Roy
* Alex Pietrangelo

Read More

Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap: Robin Lehner looked sharp in net to start Game 4 in Montreal. Only his second appearance this postseason Lehner was peppered with shots but kept the Canadiens scoreless in the 1st period. The Golden Knights had trouble offensively only mustering up four shots in the opening 20 minutes.

The tight play continued but the Golden Knights were able to generate more shots in the 2nd period. Late in the frame Vegas was awarded a power play but struggled again to capitalize. With 65 seconds remaining the Canadiens took the lead and held a 1-0 advantage after 40 minutes of action. 

Lehner followed up his strong play in the 3rd period snuffing out several rushes from the Canadiens. Midway through the period, Brayden McNabb tied the game burying a pass behind the net from William Karlsson. The score held and Game 4 would need overtime to decide a winner.

Nic Roy won the game in overtime for the Golden Knights. Max Pacioretty flicked the puck on net and Roy picked up the rebound and beat Montreal goaltender Carey Price. 

The Golden Knights tied up the seven-game series 2-2 as it shifts to Las Vegas. A pivotal Game 5 is on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: It took the Golden Knights 40 excruciating minutes to really get going, but the dam finally broke just in time from an unlikely finisher in McNabb. In OT, the Golden Knights continued the much better style of play they got to in the 3rd and the first high-danger chance of the game finds its way past Price to win it and even the series. VGK can and must play a lot better to win this series, but 2-2 is so much better than down 3-1. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Game 4 at Bell Centre

• Series tied, VGK must be better to win 2 more.

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Nic Roy
** Brayden McNabb
* Robin Lehner

Read More

Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap: The Golden Knights came out attacking the Canadiens in Game 3. Vegas unloaded 17 shots on Montreal’s goaltender Carey Price but couldn’t hit the back of the net. The game was scoreless after the opening 20 minutes. 

Nic Roy gave Vegas the first lead of Game 3 with his third goal of the postseason 3:16 in the middle period. The Canadiens responded immediately scoring the tying goal 38 seconds later. The period would stay locked in a 1-1 tie. 

The Golden Knights regained their lead early in the final frame off a wrist shot by Alex Pietrangelo. The defenseman scored his fourth of the postseason and third of the series. With time winding down in the game Marc-Andre Fleury had a miscue trying to retrieve the puck and the Canadiens took advantage and tied the game 2-2. Montreal ended the game in overtime completing a late comeback victory. 

After losing 3-2 in overtime the Golden Knights now trail the seven game series 2-1. The series continues on Sunday evening in Montreal. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday evening at 5:00 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights had the game won. It really is as simple as that. Their d-zone coverage was brilliant all night. They had the neutral zone locked up for 99% of the game. They thwarted the Habs forecheck at every pass. But it comes down to the worst goal allowed by any goalie in the four-year history of the franchise. Sure, Vegas had a chance to win it after that, but they couldn’t pull it off and that error looms incredibly large heading into Game 4. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Game 3 at Bell Centre

• Carp’s Sunday column

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Alex Tuch
** Nic Roy
* Alex Pietrangelo

Read More

Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap: Montreal came out firing and took an early lead in Game 2. The Canadiens would add another in the period to take a 2-0 edge into the first intermission. 

Trailing by two the Golden Knights had much more energy and shot the puck early in the 2nd period. The Canadiens took a 3-0 lead but Alex Pietrangelo would respond 61 seconds later. Down 3-1, Vegas showed signs of life with twenty minutes remaining.

Pietrangelo scored again to close the gap to 3-2 in the final period. The Golden Knights made several late pushes but couldn’t capitalize. 

After losing 3-2 to the Canadiens the seven-game series is even after two games. The series shifts to Montreal for the next two games. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday evening at 5 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights allowed the Canadiens to skate around them in the 1st period once again in Game 2. This time the Habs made them pay capitalizing on multiple chances and giving them a lead. We saw a different Montreal team protecting a lead. VGK created a few dangerous chances but just weren’t opportunistic enough to get that third one past Price. Now, VGK have to head on the road where they need to get to their game a little earlier. Plus, they could really use some offensive contributions from forwards. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena

• Diving into some adjustments

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Mark Stone
** Keegan Kolesar
* Alex Pietrangelo

Read More

Game recaps and Periscopes are brought to you by Kondler and Associates CPAs. Free tax consultation for SinBin fans!

Recap:  For the first time in team history the Golden Knights hosted a Semi-Final Game 1. The local team took on original six franchise Montreal Canadiens for the right to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. Shea Theodore was held without a goal for the first two series but his timing couldn’t have come at a better time. Vegas’ top defenseman opened the scoring with his first goal of the playoffs 9:51 into the series. Marc-Andre Fleury was strong in net holding his team’s 1-0 lead.

Vegas began the 2nd period with extended power play time which they took advantage of. Moments after the man advantage expired Theodore found Alec Martinez to double the Golden Knights lead 2-0. Montreal would get on the board with a power play goal but Vegas answered back :53 seconds later. After 40 minutes of action, the Golden Knights held a 3-1 advantage.

Vegas continued to heavily pressure Montreal in the final 20 minutes. The Canadiens couldn’t sustain any offensive zone time throughout the entire game and it held that way. Defenseman Nick Holden gave Vegas a three-goal lead with his second goal of the postseason. Fleury finished off his dominant performance in the third period only giving up one goal in 29 shots on net.

With their 4-1 victory, the Golden Knights take Game 1 and a series lead. Vegas and Montreal take the ice again on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Game 2 is scheduled for 6:00 PM PT. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: It took 20 minutes for the Golden Knights to settle in, but once they did they turned up the heat on the Canadiens just like was to be expected. They lived in the MTL offensive zone and thwarted any offense before the Habs could even get through the neutral zone. 1 down, 3 to go, just like period two and on. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena

• Film study of VGK shredding the MTL D with the forecheck

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Marc-Andre Fleury
** Alex Tuch
* Shea Theodore

Read More