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Recap: It took forever but the 2021 Golden Knights season finally got underway against the Anaheim Ducks. Free agent star Alex Pietrangelo suited up for the first time, and newly signed Robin Lehner got the start in net.

The game got off to an incredibly fast start. Jonathan Marchessault scored his first goal just 1:07 into the season. A minute later Tomas Nosek added his first on a nifty between his legs assist from Ryan Reaves. With only 2:13 into their first game, the Golden Knights took an early 2-0 lead. Anaheim responded quickly after and cut Vegas’ lead in half. The Ducks kept pushing and tied the game 2-2 around the midway point of the period.

Both teams settled down in the middle frame. Shots on net were low with both goaltenders shutting down every scoring chance. After 40 minutes the contest was tied at two goals apiece.

The franchise’s first captain gave his team the 3-2 lead :49 seconds into the final period. Mark Stone scored his first of the season, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and new teammate Alex Pietrangelo. Feeling left out, Max Pacioretty joined the party and tallied his first of the season ten minutes later. Vegas took a 4-2 lead, regaining their two goal edge. Alex Tuch tapped in his first of the season with a late empty net goal.

With their 5-2 victory, Vegas wins the season opener for the third time in four seasons. Both teams will face off again on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. Game is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: It was a sloppy first two periods that certainly would have led to some concern had it continued into the 3rd. But, it didn’t at all as the Golden Knights came out and played exactly like they needed to in the final frame and took over the game. They need to clean up their breakouts moving forwards, but they did tonight what good teams do, win when you don’t play your best. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena

• How much did 13/5 matter and what was the effect on ice-time.
• Diving into the VGK PP units. (One has no center?!?)

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Jonathan Marchessault
** Shea Theodore
* Mark Stone

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Recap: The Golden Knights were on a back-to-back trying to extend their five game winning streak Vegas against the Anaheim Ducks. Vegas got on the board first on newly recalled Patrick Brown’s 1st goal as a Golden Knight. The Ducks tied the game on a redirection :02 left in the opening period to make it a 1-1.

The 2nd period featured multiple quality chances for both teams but neither could convert. Malcolm Subban and Anaheim’s John Gibson stood on their heads making some magnificent saves. The Ducks would eventually get one passed Subban to take a 2-1 edge. Mark Stone and Alec Martinez connected for a beautiful one-timer to tie the game 2-2. William Karlsson’s 11th of the year gave Vegas a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission.

Anaheim tied the game at three :21 seconds into the final period. The Golden Knights regained the lead 4-3 on Karlsson’s second of the game. The center would add a third goal registering his third career hat trick. The Ducks got desperate and heavily attacked the Golden Knights scoring two goals to tie the game 5-5. The game needed an overtime to decide a winner. Shea Theodore snapped a game winner late in overtime, beating the Ducks 6-5.

Vegas’ record improves to 34-22-8 and remain in first place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights get a couple of days off and hit the ice next on Wednesday night for a divisional battle against the Edmonton Oilers. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights did well to gut it out through a crazy game in a tough back-to-back and three in four situation on the road. Despite allowing five goals, Malcolm Subban was terrific making a number good saves to keep the game close. Mark Stone played one of his best games as a Golden Knight setting up goals on four different occasions including two of William Karlsson’s three. A nice win in a bad spot keeps the streak alive. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center

• Deadline special

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Shea Theodore
** William Karlsson
* Mark Stone

Bite the hand that feeds. Thank you Expansion Draft.

VGK has won 6 straight!

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2020

Coming in this game had all the makings of a massive letdown. It took 57 minutes for it to crop up, but the Golden Knights have done well to get even just the 1 point. Still with a chance to get the other.

Either way, it's at least 11 points in 6 games.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2020

"I was joking earlier with my buddy, he brought up the shooting percentage and I was like, ‘I only shoot when I score’ so hopefully I can keep it up." -Karlsson https://t.co/wKIbI3YHi6

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 24, 2020

Recap: It was New Years Eve on the Strip so the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Anaheim Ducks for an afternoon faceoff. The Ducks got on the board first, but their lead wouldn’t last long. Mark Stone tied the game 1-1 with his third goal in his last two games. Alex Tuch jammed one through with :20 seconds left in the 1st period to give his team the 2-1 lead.

Reilly Smith scores the only 2nd period goal, taking advantage of another Ducks mistake. Smith registered his 15th goal of the season, stretching Vegas’ lead to 3-1.

Jonathan Marchessault extended the lead to 4-1 with his first penalty shot of the season. The Ducks would get one back to get within two but Vegas would come away with a 5-2 victory.

Vegas’ record improves to 22-15-6 winning their last game of 2019. They’ll next take the ice on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. Game is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: A dominant 1st period looked like it was headed for a frustrating deficit but a couple fortunate plays helped get Vegas the lead they deserved. From there they controlled the game completely and were never really in any danger of losing it. An easy win that continues to remind us of how good this team can be when they are playing well. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena

• 1st place on New Year’s Day, what does it mean in terms of winning the division, the playoffs, and the Cup?

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Reilly Smith
** Mark Stone
* Jonathan Marchessault

A gold old fashioned VGK beatdown of a Pacific Division team. Thank goodness for geography.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 31, 2019

The Ducks' defense, in a word, sucks.

— Steve Carp (@stevecarp56) December 31, 2019

Grown. Ass. Man.

Mark Stone.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 31, 2019

Recap: Fresh off the Christmas break, the Golden Knights got back to business in Anaheim for the first game of a back-to-back. The 1st period was a slow, flat period for both teams. Not much action either way, as the players tried to shake off some holiday rust. With only 12 combined shots on net, the 1st period ended in a scoreless tie.

Jonathan Marchessault gave Vegas the first lead of the game on a nasty shot up high passed John Gibson. The game would quickly change as the Golden Knights committed multiple penalties resulting in three Anaheim power play goals. After 40 minutes, Vegas trailed 3-1.

Vegas began the period on the power play, and would pick up a second man-advantage early in the 3rd period. The Golden Knights couldn’t muster up enough quality shots to get one through. Anaheim gave themselves a three goal lead midway through the period, taking a 4-1 lead. Nate Schmidt added two late game goals scoring his third and fourth of the season but it would be too late. The Ducks held on to defeat Vegas 4-3.

Vegas’ record drops to 20-15-6 losing their first of a back-to-back. The Arizona Coyotes and Golden Knights will faceoff tomorrow night in a battle for the Pacific lead. Game time is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: A sloppy first period didn’t cost the Golden Knights where it could have, but an extended penalty did. They looked like a team that had three days off and traveled in the day of the game, and they couldn’t look like that. Missed opportunities, poor passing, too many guys not playing up to their ability, and no favors from the officiating. It was a bad mix that ends up costing the Golden Knights a game they really should not have lost. Tough loss that makes the next one a bit more important. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center

• An attempt to explain Paul Stastny’s down season

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Karlsson
** Jonathan Marchessault
* Nate Schmidt

2 goals aside, there's no excuse to lose that game.

They got the sloppy bad period out of the way without giving up a goal. Even despite the quick goals by ANA, there should have been a better quicker pushback against a bad team.

Didn't happen and it cost them 2 points.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019

Nothing clean about the way the Golden Knights have played tonight. Bad time for it considering the importance of the game tomorrow night.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019

Passing on the power play has been abysmal tonight.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 28, 2019

The Ducks got on the board first scoring 4 minutes into the 1st period. The Golden Knights quickly woke up and Mark Stone tied it up :34 seconds later. Ryan Reaves would add a second goal for Vegas, and Nicolas Roy tallied his first career NHL goal to give his team a 3-1 lead.

Vegas controlled the 2nd period shutting down every chance by Anaheim. William Karlsson gave Vegas a 4-1 lead on the power play with his 3rd goal of the season.

Paul Stastny would give the Golden Knights a commanding 5-1 lead early in the 3rd period on another VGK power play. Max Pacioretty fed Stastny with a beautiful pass to give the home team a four goal lead. The Ducks would get one back making the game 5-2 but the game wouldn’t get any closer.

Vegas’ improves their record to (8-5) with their victory over Anaheim. The team will take a short break and get back to action on Halloween Night. Vegas faces the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM. (Recap by Jason)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena

• Steve Carp’s Sunday column after the game. He’s talking about effort and its return against Anaheim.

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Carrier
** Nicolas Roy
* Mark Stone

Just the game the Golden Knights needed. Let one up first, but then completely took over the game the rest of the way. Dominant effort to wash away the memory of the disaster that was Friday.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 28, 2019

Nic Roy: The only offseason upgrade you need

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 28, 2019

The message after the last game was clearly sent. After a pedestrian road trip and a miserable home game on Friday, VGK put in the best period of the season.

They were way more aggressive all over the ice, especially the 4th line and defense, and it showed up in a big way.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 28, 2019

Golden Knights look like a completely different team tonight defending the blue line on zone entries. All 6 guys actively challenging just about every entry.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 28, 2019

A choppy start with a bundle of whistles led to the game settling in before a pair of power play chances each way. Vegas did well to kill of Anaheim’s and then took advantage of their own creating an easy one for William Karlsson. A slick stretch pass from Jonathan Marchessault to Alex Tuch doubled Vegas’ lead in the 2nd. They would lock it down in the 3rd to seal a fairly easy road victory.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center

• Nikita Gusev’s team is down 0-2 in the KHL playoffs. Could he come as soon as mid-March? (This story is coming, I promise)

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Alex Tuch
** Marc-Andre Fleury
* William Karlsson

This is pretty much a home game. So… #MarcAndreDonuts… right @krispykreme.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2019

Ducks had an extended period of puck possession in VGK's zone, but the Golden Knights did a terrific job of keeping the puck out of the dangerous areas. May have been a shot or two but nothing that really troubled Fleury. Nice work.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2019

Oh my goodness. Shea Theodore just embarrased a dude by outskating him on a rush, then a pass is fired up to Alex Tuch and he embarrasses a guy with his skating. The Ducks are still slow compared to VGK.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 2, 2019

The Golden Knights absolutely dominated play in the first period. They scored a single goal in the period on an incredibly long delayed penalty goal. Then, in the 2nd both teams broke out offensively as four goals were scored. Both teams scored a pair inside of a minute, Vegas’ came from Tomas Nosek and Max Pacioretty. The Golden Knights squandered a lengthy 5-on-3 and then an extended power play but were able to hold on at the end to seal their fifth straight victory.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center

• A telling quote about Valentin Zykov
• SinBin Radio show at 10AM on CBS Spots Radio 1140

Ken’s Three Stars
*** Mac-Andre Fleury
** Max Pacioretty
* Tomas Nosek

Tonight's win pushes Vegas to 11-3-2 in the Pacific Division.

No other team has more than 7 wins in the division.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 5, 2019

Watch out NHL, the Western Conference Champs look like themselves again!

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 5, 2019

I've got that homerun hitter feeling when Stastny/Tuch/Pacioretty are on the ice. Always feels like something great is coming.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 5, 2019

Nosek has been everywhere today, well earned goal and a big one to settle this thing back in for VGK.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 5, 2019

The Golden Knights and Ducks skated to a sloppy start, but a big penalty kill play by Tomas Nosek completely unlocked the game for Vegas. It led to a Ducks penalty which Alex Tuch scored on. Then, in the 2nd, the Golden Knights tacked on three more. Vegas took advantage of every opportunity that was given to them and dominated another home game. Fleury held the Ducks out recording his second consecutive shutout at T-Mobile Arena.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena.

• VGK now 2-0-1 vs. Pacific Division. With the stretch of division games coming up, the poor start could become a thing of the past quickly.
• Photo gallery from Brandon Andreasen

Three Stars
*** Alex Tuch
** Marc-Andre Fleury
* Cody Eakin

Apparently a little home cookin' and a Pacific Division opponent go a long way. This looks like the team we remember. (I guess gold pads too)

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 15, 2018

Broken stick leads to a shorthanded goal for who else but Cody Eakin. Maybe @stevecarp56 was on to something! #21isGood 4-0 VGK

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 15, 2018

The 1st period tonight has pretty well cemented it, 19 games into the season, this is the best player on the team. Only guy close is Marchessault. (Stellar pics, as always, from @BrandonGoalie31) pic.twitter.com/2Z55uCxHLK

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 15, 2018

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Fleury going with the gold pads for the first time ever.

A post shared by SinBin.vegas (@sinbinvegas) on Nov 14, 2018 at 7:17pm PST