Tag: 2nd Period

Last night, after an excellent 1st period by the Golden Knights, the wheels fell off. Tampa Bay outscored Vegas 2-0 in the 2nd and then kept pushing to eventually win the game 6-3, scoring five of the game’s final six goals.

Everything we did in the 1st, they did in the 2nd. -Bruce Cassidy

Oddly, the offense drying up in the 2nd period has become a growing trend. In VGK’s last seven games, they have scored just one goal in the middle frame of a game. This has dropped the Golden Knights to 29th place in the NHL with just 11 goals in 13 2nd periods, better than only Calgary (10) and the New York Rangers (6).

We’re typically a good 2nd period team because we are good through the neutral zone on line changes. We can get pucks up and we recognize that. So that is odd to me. -Cassidy

Since Cassidy took over the team at the start of the 2022-23 season, the Golden Knights have scored 265 goals in 259 games in the middle frame. They’ve posted a +27 goal differential and are still +2 this season even despite the lack of production over the past few weeks.

Overall though, the 2nd period has been VGK’s worst in regards to goal differential in the Cassidy era, and it isn’t close.

1st Period: +54 (4th)
2nd Period: +27 (11th)
3rd Period: +46 (7th)

VGK rank in the Top 6 in goals scored in both the 1st and 3rd periods, but are 22nd in the 2nd. The good news, however, is that they don’t allow a ton of goals in the 2nd either. This year, they’ve given up just nine, tied for the fewest in the NHL with Seattle and New York. Only three teams (CAR, WPG, MIN) have allowed fewer than VGK’s 238 since 2022.

As for Cassidy, he doesn’t seem terribly worried about it, especially considering the recent 2nd periods against Detroit and Carolina were both excellent.

Sometimes the puck doesn’t go in. -Cassidy

Either way, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward. VGK have had a bit of a tough time getting off to slow starts. Now, that’s seeping into the 2nd period, and if they aren’t careful, they’ll run out of time to rescue games.

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.

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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