Recap: The Golden Knights traveled to Colorado for their first game of 2023. It didn’t take long for the Avalanche to take an early lead. The home team took a 1-0 advantage 0:25 into the game. The Golden Knights fought off a penalty and eventually tied the game late in the opening period.
Both teams had early chances in the 2nd period but neither could snap the tie. Midway through the game Nic Roy ripped a shot off the outside post giving Vegas a 2-1 edge. Roy later extended the Golden Knights lead to 3-1 with his second of the game.
Colorado got within one in the final period but Vegas fought off several late chances to hold on to a 3-2 lead.
The Golden Knights’ record improves to 26-12-2 defeating the Avalanche 3-2 in Colorado. Vegas will head back home for a meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: Probably the best regular season game the Golden Knights have played against the Avalanche since the 7-0 Nevada Day whooping back in 2017. VGK were absolutely dominant at even-strength constantly generating chances while thwarting every Avalanche player not named MacKinnon. It got a little dicey at the end, but that’s about as good a game as you can ask for on the road against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
- Brayden McNabb steps forward in time of need
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Alex Pietrangelo
** Nic Roy
* Brayden McNabb
VGK have been the better team along the walls by a wide margin tonight.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 3, 2023
McNabb is so good at toeing the line of interference and legal contact on dump ins. Makes life so much easier on his D partner.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 3, 2023
Flood gates are open for Roy now!
Tremendous shift across the board for the 4th line. They had the Avs scrambling while in the zone, then caught em on the rush.
3-1 VGK
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 3, 2023
Sorvino
Great game. No concerns
Pistol Pete
Gotta like that road win against the defending champs and did it minus Eichel, Theo and Marchy not to mention Whitecloud, Martinez, Howden, Cotter, Miromanov and Dorofeyev. Michael Amadio my goodness—is it tempting when Eichel returns to keep him up and move Stephenson down to center a badly needed 3rd line? Amadio had a very good AHL career getting enough points as a young player to suggest he should be more successful in the NHL. Might he be a classic late bloomer?
knights fan in minny
huge win for a squad of fill-ins logan was solid the roy line as all over the ice with a couple of tallies good team effort
Emmanuel
When its said “this player needs to play in the top six to be effective” I usually take it with a grain of salt. It might apply to Amadio. Look at that turnaround!
Pistol Pete
I think probably most forwards you out them in the top six and they get more points, however due to his pre-NHL prowess Amadio might be a stronger case in point. Would not be surprised to see Cassidy leave him up and try something like Cotter/Stephenson/Dorofeyev which would involve scratching Kessel, Leschyshyn and moving Rondbjerg back down. I may be overvaluing Dorofeyev but for now I’ll stick with my presumption that he can score whereas Cotter, Leschyshyn and Rondbjerg basically can not. Note how Cassidy used Dorofeyev on the PP where he looked decent plus up with Stephenson and Stone for a stretch. Why? Because he knows he’s the best skating, stick handling , playmaking, shooting prospect they have and critically his checking and defending has improved.
Pistol Pete
Actually I’ll revise that to say Dorofeyev’s skating speed may not be exceptional compared to other prospects but his vision, playmaking, hockey IQ and ability to score (in the AHL) sets him apart.
Pistol Pete
HSK forwards (age 23 and under) AHL stats:
Cotter–drafted 2018 (#115)–age 23 (DOB 11/16/99):
153 games (28 G/31 A) 59 pts (-4) .39 pts/game
Leschyshyn–drafted 2017 (#62)–age 23 (DOB 3/10/99):
137 games (24 G/22 A) 46 pts (-3) .34 pts/game
Rondbjerg–drafted 2017 (#65)–age 23 (DOB 3/31/99):
101 games (28 G 27 A) 55 pts (+23) .55 pts/game
Dorofeyev–drafted 2019 (#79)–age 22 (DOB 10/26/2000):
108 games (42 G/31 A) 73 pts (+16) .68 pts/game
Highlights:
* Dorofeyev is a year to a year and a half younger than the other three.
* The stats of Cotter and Leschyshyn are pedestrian to say the least. Each
have a small minus +/- and are well under a half a point a game.
* Rondbjerg’s stats are significantly higher than Cotter and Leschyshyn
averaging more than a half a point a game with a decent +23.
* Dorofeyev has the highest pts/game (was .75 pts/game through last
season but got injured this year and got off to a slow start). A decent +16
and a noticeable more goals than assists (.58 of points are goals) indicates
above average ability to find the back of the net.
Though yet to earn a point in his first 5 NHL games, Dorofeyev has the look (to me) of being the most likely of the four to become a top six NHL forward. Goals = .58 of points is bullish imo.
Jailbird
Guts & Hustle ! One of the best full game efforts I’ve seen. Way to play boys!
TS
Awesome win! ! EVERYBODY was sharp, D was HUGE, esp. In front of our net— LT was a warrior after that 1st AV goal. The high altitude should have been a fatigue factor for us, but the guys hustled til the end. So many starters out, yet we STILL beat those guys. LOVED the effort by ALL. KK: pretty mean uppercut–maybe he got some boxing rink time during the Christmas break?? Glad Mcnabb wasn’t penalized for his head’hit last game…right call there. Really impressed with the team attitude and adaptability to ongoing roster deficits/ changes. HAPPY NEW YEAR, INDEED!!
stats
That is how you play when guys are out. tight checking. and opportunistic road win.
very good win to beat Colo in their barn.
However, the similarities to the nashville game were eerie. …….coaching blunder around the 8-9 min left mark in 3rd period, when the Henderson scrubs (forwards)were sent out there vs Forsberg and the 2 goal lead shrunk to one, and the game and momentum almost got away from the Vgk. then Smith with a dumb high stick penalty.
Last night vs Avs the same thing exactly. Henderson line vs Mackinnon at the 8-9 min mark, and lead shrinks to one goal, and then Smith with another dumb high stick penalty. and they had to hang on in a finish that should have been more comfy if henderson scrubs forwards were kept on bench in the late going of close games.
The Henderson dmen are playing well, but the henderson forwards are completely overmatched vs opponent top 6 forwards.
Pistol Pete
Imo Dorofeyev looked the best of the HSK forwards. Cassidy seemed to agree putting him on the PP where he nearly scored twice and up with Stephenson and Stone for a stretch. Fairly sure the skill evaluators like what they see in the improvement in his two way game and overall physicality. He can score and has been kept down there for a reason. Reason was to get bigger, stronger and more in the play.
Tim
You hear about no puck luck well Colorado had that in spades last night. The almighty was with the Knights last night. A great win on the road now home for a couple of weeks let’s reverse our home ice trend and win 5 out of 7 on this home stand.
THE hockey GOD
i agree with TIM, for once.
VGK had puck luck, but the big story line completed missed – or ignored- is turning point in game. The big fight in which Kolesar decked Englander (?spelling) with some big bombs. Up until that point in game the VGK weren’t showing much!.
OVerall a very good, but lucky win. Some people say you make your own luck. Like maybe all four of those metal clinks were due to players being rushed.
The call up AHLer was a non factor, expect demotion, and almost gave game away due to several bone headed plays.
no. 94 got crunched along the boards, for second there I thought Dr Howard, Dr Fine, and Dr Howard were going to be needed again.
THE hockey GOD
oh yeah, forgot to mention; the refs didn’t do VGK any favors in that game either. Missed several boarding calls.
Pistol Pete
Looks like there is some hope Eichel, Marchy, Martinez, Miromanov and Cotter will play Thursday. Could use them for sure, especially the first three (especially Eichel and Marchy).
Pistol Pete
Might we see Amadio stay up and Dorofeyev play?
Scratch Kessel and Lecshyshyn:
Cotter/Stephenson/ Dorofeyev?
knights fan in minny
chaNDLer needs to play with talent
Sorvino
Pistol Pete
How got know that Eichel, Marchy, Martinez, Miromanov and Cotter will play Thursday?
I did not read that anywhere.
Sorvino
*How do you know
hdbiker7851
Pistol Pete – you’re letting your Eichel fascination show up again. They are doing alright without him thankfully I, like some others, on this site would like to know where you come up with who will be ready to play Thursday and who won’t. I don’t disagree with you that Kessel should be a scratch but would be totally surprised if it happens – should it happen yes, will it happen doubtful at best. Here’s to winning Thursday night regardless of who plays or doesn’t.
Emmanuel
Kessel should be on the 4 th line with call ups and used 9-11 minutes, mostly on the 2 nd PP.
How about a Carrier/Roy/Stephenson 3 rd line? Not sure whoo would play RW….
Pistol Pete
Ken just reported Eichel has been removed from IR. Marchy, Martinez and Cotter, forget where I heard that but each including Cotter now is day to day which is generally bullish for returning to play. Scratching Kessel would only be if when Eichel is back and Cassidy keeps Amadio on the first and moves Chandler down to center the third with Cotter on LW. That would create the opportunity to replace Kessel with Dorofeyev assuming he’s healthy. Just a far fetched scenario on my part but Kessel is a defensive liability. We’ll find out soon if my hunch about Thursday’s roster plays out. Look for Ken’s update on Twitter following Wednesday’s or Thursday’s skate.
JV
Red Wings put Vrana on waivers. Stevie Y gambling on nobody taking on that 5.25 M cap hit for the rest of this season and next.