Recap: The Penguins came out strong scoring first 2:53 into the opening period. Eventually Mallin netted his 12th of the year with a nifty backhand over Marc-Andre Fleury. Patric Hornqvist added another goal giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes played.
Pittsburgh took a 3-0 lead with 4:18 into the second period on a power play goal. Max Pacioretty would bury his 19th goal of the season keeping Vegas alive. Paul Stastny got his team even closer picking up a power play for the Golden Knights. After two periods the home team trailed 3-2.
The Penguins would extend their lead 4-2 early in the 3rd but Reilly Smith would later get Vegas back to within one. The Golden Knights had a late power play and pulled Fleury for an extra attacker but wouldn’t score the tying goal. After a strong effort, Vegas fell 4-3 to the Penguins.
Vegas’ record drops to 24-16-6 and fall into second place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights will next face off against the LA Kings on Thursday night. Puck drops at 7PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Yet again the Golden Knights found themselves in a 3-0 hole, however this time it was a bit different. A terrible turnover, a power play goal, and a quick play off a draw meant the Penguins capitalized on all three good chances. That’s about all they had, which can’t be said about the Blues game. Vegas took a bit to start creating dangerous chances, but the Stone, Stastny, Pacioretty line started to do so and did it in a big way. However, the Golden Knights didn’t get enough from everyone else. Overall there were three issues. First, the goalie simply wasn’t good enough. Vegas allowed 15 shots and four goals, two of which he absolutely could have stopped. Second, there wasn’t enough from the other three lines. All the offense had to come from the one line and you aren’t winning much that way. Third, careless mistakes from multiple players early. When they made them, Pittsburgh scored. In the end, it’s not the worst loss in the world, but it’s a frustrating one nonetheless. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Pittsburgh Penguins at T-Mobile Arena
- Unintended consequences of VGKD 2.0
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Max Pacioretty-Paul Stastny-Mark Stone
** Shea Theodore
* Max Pacioretty-Paul Stastny-Mark Stone
Moral of the story: Don't go down 3-0.
Vegas played a whale of a game (again) after falling in a deep hole. It may happen once in a blue moon, but 1st period defensive problems need to be fixed.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 8, 2020
Shea Theodore has been a man on a mission the last 10 minutes of this game. Absolutely incredible play all over the ice. Nearly set up 2 goals and now draws the penalty.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 8, 2020
The Golden Knights have allowed 10 1st period goals in the 5 games on this homestand.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 8, 2020
Corsi per @NatStatTrick
1st Line – 7 for, 3 against
2nd Line – 22 for 6 against
3rd Line – 6 for, 6 against
4th Line – 4 for, 3 against— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 8, 2020
