Last night the Golden Knights scored twice in the second period giving them a two-goal lead, and eventually the win. The complete opposite of what occurred on Saturday in LA.
The win was very important. You don’t want to have a losing streak going, so to bounce back after a loss is huge and we’ll take this to New York. -William Karlsson
This season, Vegas has played so-so in second periods. After Sunday’s victory against Dallas, the Golden Knights moved to -6 in the 2nd (33 goals for, 39 goals against). It’s their worst period as they are +1 in the 1st, +8 in the 3rd, and +2 in overtime, but what’s more important is how often the results of the game mirror the 2nd period score.
Overall, the Golden Knights have been outscored 12 times this season in the second period. Their record is 2-10-0 in those games. Not good right?
But when Vegas outscores opponents in the 2nd period, their record is 12-1-0, and are unblemished at 12-0-0 when they lead heading into the second intermission.
It’s somewhat of a stark contrast from a year ago when the first goal was seemingly the most important number. This year, when the Golden Knights score first, they are just 11-6-1, while a year ago they went 34-5-2. However, they’ve actually been able to overcome the early deficit about the same as they did a year ago. This year they’ve gone 6-8-0 (0.429 Points %) when allowing the first goal as opposed to 17-19-5 (0.476 Points %)
It’s not by a lack of effort, the Golden Knights have outshot opponents 362 to 328 in the second period. Including, last night’s 12-7 edge over the Stars.
So it’s pretty clear scoring in the 2nd is essential to the Golden Knights future success. Which is why outscoring Dallas last night in the second period was a positive sign for Vegas. Especially, coming off a 5-1 clunker in LA, where the Kings scored two second period goals in their victory. At this point in the season, 2nd period success has directly translated into Golden Knights wins or loses.
It’s pretty simple, if Vegas wins the battle of the 2nd period they win the game (12-0-0). And when they lose the 2nd period, chances are they’ll lose the game (2-10). That’s real 2nd period magic.
Opponents Outscore VGK in Second Period (2-10-0)
10/04 vs Philadelphia (Loss)
Vegas allows three second period goals
10/08 @ Buffalo (Loss)
Sabres score three second period goals
10/11 @ Pittsburgh (Loss)
Penguins score three second period goals
10/26 vs Tampa (Loss)
Tampa scored one second period goal
10/30 @ Nashville (Loss)
Nashville scored two second period goals
11/01 @ St. Louis (Loss)
Blues score three second period goals
Vegas scored one second period goal
11/10 vs Montreal (Loss)
Canadiens scored three second period goals
Vegas scored one second period goals
11/16 vs St. Louis (Loss)
Blues scored three second period goals
11/19 @ Calgary (Loss)
Calgary scored two second period goals
12/04 vs Washington (Win)
Washington scored one second period goal
12/06 vs Chicago (Win)
Hawks scored two second period goals
12/08 @ LA (Loss)
Kings scored two second period goals
VGK Outscores Opponents in Second Period (12-1-0)
10/16 vs Buffalo (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
10/20 vs Anaheim (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
10/28 vs Ottawa (Win)
Vegas scored two second period goals
Ottawa score one second period goal
11/03 vs Carolina (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
11/14 vs Anaheim(Win)
Vegas scored three second period goals
11/18 vs Edmonton(Win)
Vegas scored three second period goals
11/21 @ Arizona (Win-OT)
Vegas scored two second period goals
11/23 vs Calgary (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
11/24 vs San Jose (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
11/27 @ Chicago (Win)
Vegas scored three second period goals
Hawks scored two second period goals
11/29 @ Vancouver (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goal
12/01 @ Edmonton (Loss)
Vegas scored one second period goal
12/09 vs Dallas (Win)
Vegas scored one second period goals
