Scoring Archives - SinBin.vegas

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

We are all aware that it has been a choppy start to the new year for the local hockey club. The Golden Knights are 27th in the league in points percentage (.441) and woefully score the 18th most goals per game (2.76) since January 1st. In that same span, current Pacific Division leader Edmonton Oilers are generating 3.31 goals per game while Winnipeg are posting 3.50 a night.

Vegas’ Lack Of Production Since January 1st

Wins: 6 (27th)
Points: 15 (24th)
Goals Scored: 47 (15th)
Goals Allowed: 48 (18th)
Goals Scored Per Game: 2.76 (18th)
Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.82 (17th)
Power Goals Scored: 13 (4th)
Even-Strength Goals: 34 (17th)

Sure, it’s only been two games into February’s very short schedule but it might as well feel like 20. Vegas’ lackluster offense continues to flounder in key moments as it did down the stretch on Long Island. No matter how many shots they throw at opposing goaltenders, if they’re not quality chances the puck won’t get past most NHL starters. For example, the Golden Knights took 64 shots in two games against the New York Islanders and successfully scored one. It doesn’t matter if they’re facing an elite stopper like Ilya Sorokin or an aging backup like Jonathan Quick, one or two missed opportunities can and have impacted results.

3 goals = 2 points (Photo by Brandon Andreasen)

There’s a common saying in hockey that says, “you can’t win in the NHL if you don’t score three times.” Obviously it’s not entirely true as you technically can win 1-0 or 2-1, however, the point of the sentiment is that if a team can’t score three goals consistently, they have little to no chance to be successful.

To start the year, the Golden Knights scored three or more just twice in the first 10 games and a measly eight times in the first 20. They also won only eight of those first 20 games. Since Game 20, when Nate Schmidt returned from suspension, Vegas has tallied three or more nine times in 13 games.

Rather than saying you can’t win if you don’t score three, Golden Knights fans should be thinking the team can’t lose if they score three. With the win in Brooklyn over the Islanders, Vegas pushed its record to 16-2-0 when scoring three or more goals.

One of the biggest reasons for the return to getting to three has been the production the Golden Knights have gotten from all four lines. It’s not just up to the 1st line or the 2nd line to contribute multiple goals a game, instead, the 3rd has had a goal scorer in each of the last three games and in 11 of the last 12 a goal has been scored from someone outside of the top six.

16-2-0 means winning 88% of the time. For Vegas, three is the total of goals the team aims for nightly. Call it Vegas’ lucky number.

Vegas Offensive Stats:
• 98 Total Goals (11th)
• 2.97 Goals For Per Game (17th)
• 18 Wins (6th)
• 37 Points (12th

One of the best ways for the Golden Knights to get to three goals is to score a power play goal. In their last 10 games, they’ve scored a PP goal in eight of them and won all eight; the two they didn’t score, they lost. Over the course of the year, the Golden Knights are 14-5-0 when they score a power play goal.

The offense has picked up significantly with the return of Nate to the lineup. They are now scoring at a 3.77 goals per game clip where during Schmidt’s suspension that number was just 2.50.

It’s not all that abnormal in the NHL, but for the Golden Knights, it’s very simple. Score three, add two to their record.

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Tag: Scoring

For The Second Straight Season VGK’s Poor January Carries Over

16-2-0 When Scoring At Least Three Goals