Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins for their second game of 2023. Vegas got off to a really quick start receiving their first goal from Phil Kessel 1:53 into the opening period. After an 11-game absence, Jack Eichel doubled VGK’s lead to 2-0. It was Eichel’s 14th goal of the season and his first since December 3rd. Later in the period, Chandler Stephenson extended the Golden Knights lead 3-0 with a power play goal.
Pittsburgh outshot Vegas in the middle frame but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Golden Knights killed off a penalty mid-way through the period to hold the Penguins scoreless. Mark Stone tallied his 17th goal of the season with 0:11 left in the period. After 40 minutes the home team held a 4-1 advantage.
The Penguins finally got on the scoreboard early in the final period, but the Golden Knights continued to attack. Paul Cotter ripped a one-time pass from Kessel to register his 5th goal of the season.
The Golden Knights record improves to 27-12-2 drubbing the Penguins 5-2. Vegas will take the ice on Saturday for a divisional battle against the LA Kings. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The Golden Knights won this game with a dominant 1st period. They came out and were all Penguins from the opening faceoff. They scored quickly off a good forechecking play by William Karlsson, then got a pair more as they beat Pittsburgh in every facet. The 2nd was almost as bad as the 1st was good but Adin Hill came up big. They basically just protected their way to the win in the 3rd. (Analysis by Ken)
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 6, 2023
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at T-Mobile Arena.