Recap: The Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres met up for a Friday night matchup on the Las Vegas Strip. The Sabres struck first 2:16 into the game, taking an early 1-0 lead. Vegas’ Nic Roy tied the game with his 4th goal of the season. New goaltender Robin Lehner saved 8 out of the first 9 shots he faced as a Golden Knight.
Both teams had several scoring chances in the 2nd but both goaltenders were perfect in the period. Each stopping six shots, keeping the game tied 1-1 after 40 minutes played.
The Golden Knights took over the game in the 3rd period. William Karlsson broke the tie with his 14th of the season, and Reilly Smith added his 26th to give Vegas a 3-1 lead. Smith broke his personal best in goals with 16 games remaining. The Golden Knights closed the door on Buffalo down the stretch winning 4-2.
Vegas’ record improves to 36-22-8 remaining in 1st place in the Pacific Division with 80 points. The team will get a day off and hit the ice again on Sunday night against the LA Kings. Puck drop is scheduled for 730p. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The game took a long time to get exciting, but it finally did as the Golden Knights mauled the Sabres in the 3rd. Robin Lehner allowed one on his first and last shots but was perfect in between. It ends up looking like an easy win but it was more of a “nobody wants to win” type game for the first 40. The win streak has stretched to eight with a chance to break the franchise record Sunday. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs Buffalo Sabres at T-Mobile Arena
- DeBoer’s commitment to experimenting with lines before the playoffs.
- The post trade deadline run
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Karlsson
** Nic Roy
* Robin Lehner
This is what you get when you search "eight" in the Twitter gif library. So, in honor of the franchise tying Golden Knights win streak of 8… eighters gonna eight? pic.twitter.com/zhmQ0tyaX0
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 29, 2020
Robin Lehner joins Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban, and Oscar Dansk with a win in their VGK debut.
Max Lagace is the only goalie to lose in his debut.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 29, 2020
Fleury moves more in making each one of his saves than Lehner does in a full game.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 29, 2020
I was just walking down the stairs in the arena and a security guard (who can't see the game at all) asked me how the game was going, I said "This hallway has been more exciting."
He was not amused.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 29, 2020
The scoreboard has been much more kind, but the Golden Knights haven't quite kicked this 1st period problem.
Tonight – Eh (1-1)
EDM – Brutal (1-0)
ANA – So So (1-1)
FLA – Not good (1-1)
TBL – Bad (1-1)
WSH – Great (2-0)
NYI – Boring (0-0)
STL – Disaster (2-3)— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 29, 2020
Vgk2020
it was a defensive slog game. They stayed patient and won it in the 3rd.
Lehner is as advertised, a good big goalie who blocks pucks without the acrobatics.
Some Knights had off nights, like Theodore, who was off kilter in that one. They miss Stone bigtime though. Pacioretty gets most of his scoring chances from Stone.
Now Nosek out too. They need to get Stone and Tuch back in there.
Tim
That fast things can change of coarse Mark Stone is the biggest loss but were going to miss Nosek and his high energy if he’s out for a while. I’d love to get Tuch and Glass back for more depth well as they say next man up.