Tag: Carolina Hurricanes Page 2 of 4
Recap: It was Pete DeBoer’s first game in Vegas as the Golden Knights head coach. His team came out strong for him in the first. Max Pacioretty scored his 24th of the season, and Jon Merrill added his second for 2-0 edge. Carolina would get one on the board late in the period on a fluky goal passed Marc-Andre Fleury making it 2-1 Vegas.
Shea Theodore gave Vegas a two goal lead :59 seconds in to the 2nd period. The Golden Knights would hold a 3-1 lead for the rest of the 2nd period.
Sebastian Aho scored quickly to start the 3rd period getting his team within one. Chandler Stephenson gave his team a two goal lead again with a shorthanded tally. Carolina’s Erik Haula scored a power play goal two minutes later making it 4-3 Vegas. The Hurricanes wouldn’t go away and tied it up 4-4 halfway through the final period. Carolina would take the 5-4 lead six minutes later. However, Cody Eakin tied the game at six late in the period.
A wild OT period had the Hurricanes hitting multiple posts but the Golden Knights survived. In shootout, Vegas went 0 for 2 while Carolina went 2 for 3.
Vegas’ record drops to 28-21-8 sitting on 64 points on the season. Next up for the Golden Knights is the Minnesota Wild. The team will travel to play the Wild on Tuesday night. Game starts at 5P. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It was a game that had a bit of everything. Vegas jumped out to a solid 2-0 lead playing well but a weird goal cost them one near the end of the period. The 2nd was somewhat back and forth but the Golden Knights did well to extend the lead and keep the Canes at bay. That would not be the case in the 3rd as a rash of penalties helped Carolina take the game over and actually take a late lead. Eakin tied it due to some poor goaltending (which was a problem on both ends tonight) and then overtime and shootout weren’t pretty for VGK. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena
- Steve Carp’s Sunday column on Nate Schmidt’s resurgence
- Photo gallery from the game
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Nic Roy
** Chandler Stephenson
* Shea Theodore
DeBoer has made it clear they need to be better in OT and SO. They were not tonight. Cost them a point.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 9, 2020
Great tribute video to Erik Haula. pic.twitter.com/oHS4yLwaOI
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 9, 2020
Happy Year of the Rat! pic.twitter.com/YHN7YIFPB6
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 9, 2020
(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
It was the play of the game, if not one of the biggest plays of the season (feels like we’ve said that a lot, hopefully this one actually sticks). Having given up a 3-1 lead, Vegas could have easily skated out the period and secured at least a point in Carolina. However, the Hurricanes gave the Golden Knights one more chance to come away with a win. And that’s exactly what they did.
The late-game power play allowed Vegas to execute a perfectly set up game-winning goal. The beautifully designed tic-tac-toe sequence by Shea Theodore, Paul Statsny and Alex Tuch clinched a wild game for the Golden Knights. Not only was it a big goal for Tuch, but for the new coaching staff as well.
It was a good play by Theo and Stas, something we were kind of looking to do and we were able to execute. I just put my stick on the ice and made sure I hit the net. -Alex Tuch
The play began with a faceoff won by Stastny, purposely to his left, which Mark Stone jumped on and fed out to Theodore. Instead of taking his own shot, giving the puck back to Stone or Max Pacioretty to his right, the defenseman walked the blue line with the puck, opened up the seam and then used a little shot pass to feed the puck through an incredibly tight window to Stastny.
Theodore’s stutter-step/fake shot shifted the defense and goaltender just enough to find an open passing lane to Stastny who was waiting on one side of the net.
Knowing the puck was coming to him, he quickly directed the pass across the crease and on to the stick of Tuch, who tapped in the game-winner.
From the initial pass by Stone, to Theodore’s shot fake, to Stastny’s quick touch pass, each player knew exactly where the others would be. You’ll even notice Pacioretty charging in behind Tuch ready to scoop up any rebounds in case the puck was blocked. Or perhaps as a secondary option. Either way, all five players did their job and the execution paid off.
Recap: New coach Pete DeBoer couldn’t have asked for a better start from his team coming off the break. With William Karlsson still out of the lineup, Paul Stastny stepped up and immediately made a difference. With some nifty passing, Statsny scored his 15th of the season giving the Golden Knights an early 1-0 lead. The top line would double up the lead when Jonathan Marchessault made it 2-0 halfway through the period.
Carolina would get their first goal of the game midway through the 2nd period. However, Vegas did a good job killing off a big power play, and Malcolm Subban shut down the Hurricanes offense. After 40 minutes in the books, the Golden Knights held a 2-1 edge.
Both teams would swap goals in the 3rd with the Golden Knights hanging on to a one goal lead. Carolina was awarded a penalty late in the period and took advantage. They tied the game 3-3 until Vegas got their own late game power play. Alex Tuch put the game away with a PP goal. Shea Theodore and Mark Stone made some brilliant passes to find the open Tuch. Vegas won 4-3 in an entertaining, back and forth contest.
Vegas’ record improves to 26-20-7 and jump Arizona for the first wild card spot. They get right back to business tomorrow in Nashville to take on the Predators. Faceoff is scheduled for 5PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: A strong 1st period that could have been even stronger if not for a pair of pipe hits had the Golden Knights protecting a lead for the first time in a while. They did need some strong goaltending early out of Malcolm Subban. The 2nd period was a bit closer but the Golden Knights still got a few odd-man rushes chances that they were unable to convert. A great play from Nate Schmidt starting by leading a rush and ending with a gorgeous finish gave Vegas a two goal lead, but they would squander it quickly. The new power play coach came through in his first game with a perfect set play that led to the tap-in game-winner from Alex Tuch. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena
- Ryan Reaves on navigating refs
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Malcolm Subban
** Paul Stastny
* Reilly Smith
Storm Surge: Cancelled pic.twitter.com/xKoYVr0uJo
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
That looked like the old Golden Knights. Schmidt jumps up into the rush and the transition finish is there. Big time goal. 3-1!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
Reilly Smith's dominance continues post-break. Undresses the Canes D to set up Stastny. Beautiful.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 1, 2020
**Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Famer, Steve Carp’s twice-weekly column publishes every Wednesday and Sunday during the Golden Knights season.**
It was Feb. 1. The Golden Knights had just dropped a 5-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes. And as the Knights trudged off the ice at the PNC Center in Raleigh, it was turn-the-page time and focus on the next game against the Florida Panthers the following night.
The Hurricanes, however, weren’t quite done.
They remained on the ice and celebrated the win. First, it started with a team clap of the hands that looked like something Iceland’s national soccer team does. But it morphed into a quick game of childhood favorite “Duck, Duck, Goose.”
They call it the “Storm Surge” in Carolina. Don Cherry calls it something else. Cherry, who is 85 and has had a bully pulpit for decades on the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada telecast, ripped the ‘Canes.
These guys to me are jerks. And I’ll tell you one thing, they better not do this in the playoffs.. . . This is a joke.
Young men expressing themselves for joy of winning. You don’t do this thing in professional hockey. What are these guys? Jerks or something?
I know what I’m talking about. You never do anything like that. They’re still not drawing. They’re a bunch of jerks as far as I’m concerned. Imagine Justin Williams doing stuff like that. -Don Cherry
The team obviously has a different point of view. Williams, the team’s captain, plays a major role in all this.
Hockey is our life and job…but it is still a game. Enjoy the good times and have fun with it…let’s celebrate more this year. Great win tonight #TakeWarning https://t.co/POvYY8z3qQ
— Justin Williams (@JustinWilliams) October 8, 2018
And the coach doesn’t have a problem with the postgame celebrations.
We want to have fun when we win. The game should be fun. That’s why we’re doing it. I want the players to enjoy winning and the fans to enjoy being here. -Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach
My first thought when I saw the initial celebration earlier this year was, “What the hell is that?” But as the cellys became more creative and elaborate, I started to enjoy them. I hadn’t played Duck, Duck, Goose since I was a tyke back in the late 1950s. So I have to admit seeing a bunch of grown men doing it was pretty funny.
And the others are funny too. The fans offer suggestions, the players take them under advisement and then figure out what they’ll ultimately do.
Understand these “Storm Surges” take place after victories at home, long after the opposing team has left the ice. So the night of Feb. 1, all of the Golden Knights were in their locker room when the frivolity began, so none of them saw it.
An early penalty put the Golden Knights on the power play which they cashed in on with a Shea Theodore goal eerily similar to the one he scored against Pittsburgh. Carolina came right back creating chances left and right before getting one to go on a great kick pass from Justin Williams to Nino Niederreiter. A miserable error by Max Lagace to start the period led to the Hurricanes first lead. Vegas battled through a poorly played period to tie it at two but less than a minute later Carolina retook the lead again. The Golden Knights couldn’t get anything going in the 3rd as they conceded an early goal to go down a pair. An empty netter late sealed it.
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena
- The Creator speaks about the possibility of losing AGM Kelly McCrimmon.
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Paul Stastny
** Alex Tuch
* Shea Theodore
Bad stuff
VGK have lost 3 straight and 5 of 7
VGK are now 1-10-0 as underdogs
VGK have now lost 10 games when scoring 1st (17-10-3)
VGK are now -7 in the 2nd period— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 2, 2019
A mistake in his own end by Nick Holden led the Leafs to score their first goal in the first two periods of a home game in quite some time. The Golden Knights fell asleep in the first :09 of the 2nd, conceding again. Then, things turned around in a big way. Vegas completely dominated the remainder of the period but only got one goal from Cody Eakin in it. Through two periods the Golden Knights attempted 61 shots, only 30 made it to the goal and only one went in. The Golden Knights continued the pressure but couldn’t get the tying goal. Erik Haula was injured and taking off on a stretcher in the 3rd period. Yet another similar story to so many games this year.
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights at Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena
- Carp’s column on Haula
Three Stars
*** Connor Brown
** Mitchell Marner
* Frederik Andersen
Missed shot, missed shot, missed shot, missed shot, missed shot. Someone hit the damn net with a shot!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 7, 2018
A frantic 1st period with over 20 scoring chances total from both teams combined. Brad Hunt jumped up into a play and put a perfect pass from Erik Haula into the back of the net. Ryan Reaves tallied another goal, his fourth of the season, in the 2nd. Vegas scored the game’s third goal as well with William Carrier’s first in over a year. Marc-Andre Fleury was tremendous all night earning him the shutout. Great game through and through for VGK when they really needed it.
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena
- Steve Carp’s Sunday column
Three Stars
*** William Carrier
** Brad Hunt
* Marc-Andre Fleury
They did it. Awesome game, every single thing about it. https://t.co/SRvjtsv8Fu
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 4, 2018
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/4NUdwMPkNu
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 4, 2018
This guy… is good. pic.twitter.com/6W1H3K5LnE
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 4, 2018
Defensemen scoring!!!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 4, 2018
We know this term gets thrown around WAY too much, especially when it comes to Game 14 of an 82 game season, but if the emotional leader calls tonight’s game against the Hurricanes a must-win, it must be a must-win.
It’s a big game for us. We definitely need to win. -Jonathan Marchessault
Okay, fine, he didn’t say must-win, but “definitely need to win” is close enough for me. It’s kind of unimaginable, that on November 3rd we’re talking about important games for the Golden Knights, but this is reality when a team is already four points out of a playoff spot and have their bags packed for a four-game road trip to the other side of the continent.
This is a team with expectations. We set the bar high for us. We know it’s going to be harder, but it’s nothing we can’t handle as a group. -Marchessault
It’s not just the two points that the Golden Knights want, it’s more that this team is a franchise that’s experienced nothing but winning, and they are sick of losing.
If you’re ready for a game, they better be must wins. I hope guys think this is a must win game. Not because it is, but every game is a must win. -Gerard Gallant
He said “must-win!” Well, really, he said it is, then said it isn’t, then said it is again. So… I think I like what Marchy said better.
In Florida, Marchessault and Gallant faced a slow start which ultimately costed Gallant his job. While we’re nowhere near that situation here, the bigger point is that Panther team was never able to regain a playoff spot.
This is definitely a slow start. We’re not where we want to be. Nobody is going to feel bad for us. So we got to get out of this hole, keep battling and turn our luck around. -Marchessault
Tonight is the perfect spot for #81 and his teammates to turn things around. Carolina comes in with an acceptable 6-5-2 record, but have lost three straight including an overtime tilt in Arizona last night. Carolina fell into a 3-0 hole in the 1st, only to climb back to tie it, and then lose in OT.
We’ve been told there’s a locker room full of leaders. So I’m sure it’s eating at each and every one of them to come home from their road trip empty-handed. Tonight is a game that could help the Golden Knights set themselves straight. And I’m sure that’s the message Marchessault is spreading around the room.
The Golden Knights got off to a slow start including a gaffe behind the goal by Brayden McNabb leading to the Hurricanes first goal. Vegas picked the tempo back up in the 2nd and were able to tie the game at one and then again at two with goals from Deryk Engelland and Reilly Smith. Things got a bit chippy in the 3rd but no one could break through. It went to shootout where Vegas got the first one on shot number three from Smith, but Fleury couldn’t keep the Hurricanes out.
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena.
- Did the Hurricanes aggressive early shot selection play into Fleury’s easy transition back into action?
Three Stars
*** Reilly Smith
** Marc-Andre Fleury
* Phil Di Giuseppe
