Recap: Vegas hosted the Florida Panthers for Miracle Night at the T-Mobile Arena. 40 years ago, the United States hockey team beat the Soviets, and the Golden Knights welcomed in the Miracle on Ice roster.

Florida jumped out to quick start taking the 1-0 lead 3:28 into the game. Tomas Nosek tied the game later in the period scoring his 7th goal of the season. After the opening 20 minutes the game was locked up 1-1.

The Panthers regained the lead quickly into the 2nd period. On a carryover power play, Florida took advantage and took a 2-1 edge. William Carrier tied the game for Vegas with his 7th goal of the season. Max Pacioretty scored his 29th, giving his team the 3-2 lead right before the period expired.

Reilly Smith doubled Vegas’ lead just :19 seconds into the final period. Smith buried his 24th goal of the year stretching the lead 4-2. The Panthers got within one but Smith would score his second of the game on an empty-net goal. The Golden Knights closed out the game 5-3.

Vegas’ record improves to 33-22-8 and remain in 1st place in the Pacific with 74 points. The Golden Knights take a quick trip to Anaheim to play the Ducks tomorrow night. Game time is scheduled for 7p. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Like the Tampa game, it took the Golden Knights a minute to sort out their puck management issues early in the game. When they did, late in the 1st, they took over and started controlling a majority of the play. A few excellent plays by the Panthers kept them in the game, but the Golden Knights were the better team and wore the Panthers down. A 5-game win streak against some of the best teams in the league has the Golden Knights looking at an exciting end of the season and playoff run. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena

• Carp’s Sunday column on the deadline, Quinney, and Team USA

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Marc-Andre Fleury
** William Carrier
* Reilly Smith

5 games. 10 points. VGK gets them all.

As if it was ever in doubt, now it's really not, this is a playoff team. The only question is if they'll get the Division banner to go with it.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 23, 2020

The difference between Stephenson centering the 3rd line and Eakin is astounding.

They actually try to score now. It's nice.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 23, 2020

Excellent period from the Golden Knights in the 2nd after a so-so 1st. 18-6 in SOG and completely dominated Florida at even-strength.

20 minutes away from an incredible 5-game homestand.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 23, 2020

Recap: The Golden Knights were looking to finish off the road trip in Florida earning nine of a possible 16 points. Vegas did just that with a quick goal by Mark Stone 2:15 into the game. The Panthers would tie it up late in the 1st, and took a 1-1 tie into the intermission.

Stone would add his second early go ahead goal 1:41 into the 2nd period. Up 2-1 for most of the period, Florida tied the game 2-2 close to the midway point of the game. However, Vegas regained the lead :26 seconds later with Max Pacioretty’s 22nd goal of the season. After 40 minutes, the Golden Knights led the Panthers 3-2.

The Golden Knights took over the game quickly in the final 20 minutes. Nate Schmidt added Vegas’ 4th goal of the game :17 seconds into the 3rd period. Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault later added goals to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Pacioretty would add his second to finish off the Panthers 7-2.

Vegas’ record improves to 28-21-7 and head home after a long eight-game road trip. The team will hit the ice on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Game time is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights used early goals to take control of this game. However, they allowed the Panthers to claw back into the game after the 1st and 2nd goals. From the moment the game was tied at two though, Vegas took over and completely dominated the Panthers. An absolutely perfect 3rd period started with a goal from Nate Schmidt and snowballed on the Panthers as it appeared they gave up midway through. Excellent road win and a great night with the whole division taking L’s. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers at BB&T Center

• Survived, now time to thrive

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Everyone else was good too
** Mark Stone
* Mark Stone

Obviously the best game in the DeBoer era, definitely the best period of the year in the 3rd. Completely took it to the Panthers and made them quit. Excellent finish to a ridiculously long road trip.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 7, 2020

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the Golden Knights are now 21-0-0 when they score 6 or more goals.

17-18: 6-0-0
18-19: 8-0-0
19-20: 4-0-0
Playoffs: 3-0

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 7, 2020

Mark Stone was the 1st player in franchise history to register a 5 point game when he did it in the playoffs last year (hat trick game against SJS).

He now becomes the 1st to do it in a regular-season game.

It's the 4th time he's done it in his career.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 7, 2020

Mark Stone, Mark Stone, and more Mark Stone!

Great play through the NZ and then he will not be denied. Great start again.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 7, 2020

A great start for the Golden Knights got them on the board first with a Paul Stastny draw win and goal. Then, Vegas found itself in the box a few times and ended up allowing three straight. They would go on to dominate the first 18 minutes of the 2nd period scoring three unanswered of their own including a pair from defensemen Colin Miller and Jon Merrill. But once again, a late period goal by the Panthers tied it up heading into the 3rd. Florida struck again and was starting to get late when Vegas tied it back up to go into OT. A few chances each way including one off the pipe for Pacioretty but no one could put one home. Subban stones them all in shootout and Shea Theodore hits the game-winner.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena.

• Nikita Gusev’s team is down 0-2 in the KHL playoffs. Could he come as soon as mid-March?

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Paul Stastny
** Jon Merrill
* Reilly Smith

NO ONE SCORES ON SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUB IN SHOOTOUT.

EVER!!!

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 1, 2019

Yes, he's a defenseman. Yes, Shea Theodore is one of the best SO guys VGK has.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 1, 2019

The dam has broken for Reilly Smith!!! We're tied again on the delayed penalty goal.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 1, 2019

This is the type of game this team needs to get. Cannot roll over and die here.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 1, 2019

Florida scored just 12 seconds into the game on a break started by a collision from Paul Stastny and Shea Theodore. An individual effort by Max Pacioretty tied the game up in the 1st. A fast-paced 2nd period came and went without any goals. A turnover in the offensive zone by Jonathan Marchessault led to a bad pinch from Shea Theodore and a poor defensive effort from William Karlsson to allow the game-winning goal.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers at BB&T Center.

• Steve Carp’s Sunday column
• A case to split up the only working line

Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Paul Stastny
** Alex Tuch
* Max Pacioretty

Let's talk about the first regular season four game losing streak in franchise history. https://t.co/xPvouG18so

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 3, 2019

The Golden Knights fall into three holes by scores of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but they were able to tie the score each time. An incredible goal by James Neal with less than three to go sent the game to overtime, but a quick 3-on-3 session ended with a Florida goal.

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers at BB&T Center.

• Perron’s ability to control the puck is unmatched and irreplaceable for the Golden Knights.

Three Stars
*** James Neal
** Aleksander Barkov
* Aaron Ekblad

It was better when the Golden Knights were invincible in 3-on-3. Went 37:43 without allowing a goal in OT, now they've allowed two in 1:23 of OT time in the last two games.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 20, 2018

Florida scored the first two but Vegas was able to get both back in the 1st period. A lackluster scoreless 2nd period left the game tied with 20 minutes to go. Erik Haula tipped one home about midway through the 3rd to give the Golden Knights the lead. Two empty netters later, the Golden Knights are back in first place!

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena.

• Golden Knights hold Florida to their lowest shot total of the year. What are they doing so well defensively. Have allowed just six goals in the past three games.
• The Subban/Fleury balancing act has begun, and it worked. (Possibly)
• Back-to-back opposing goalies have said the Golden Knights “don’t do anything special.”

Three Stars
*** Erik Haula
** Colin Miller
* Jonathan Marchessault

Goalie out. Marchy scores. 4-2 VGK!!! DON'T LEAVE OUR COACH ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. #Jerks

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 18, 2017

AND THAT ONE IS BECAUSE HE HAD TO CALL A CAB!!! #RevengeServed

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 18, 2017

Guess who's back in 1st place? #VegasBorn

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 18, 2017