Recap: The Golden Knights traveled to Minnesota and for the second straight matchup against the Wild. Vegas scored the opening goal of the game after Keegan Kolesar tipped a puck into Minnesota’s net. The period ended with the visiting team leading 1-0.
The Wild’s offense woke up in the middle frame. Minnesota scored three times in the period to take a lead. Thankfully for Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev rifled a puck in the net to keep the Golden Knights within one. After 40 minutes of action, the Wild held a 3-2 advantage.
With seconds remaining in the final period, Dorofeyev tied the game 3-3 and forced overtime and eventually a shootout. Reilly Smith came through with a slick move to win the game for Vegas.
The Golden Knights’ record improves to 48-22-7 defeating the Wild 4-3 in shootout. Vegas will continue on the road with a visit to Nashville on Tuesday. Puck drop against the Predators is scheduled for 5 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: VGK started out great doing much of what they did in Vegas last game to slow down and frustrate the Wild. But, the execution fell apart a bit from Vegas and picked up from Minnesota in the 2nd and they turned the game around. The equalizer really didn’t look like it would come but with under a minute the hero, Pavel Dorofeyev, emerged. He then re-emerged in shootout. What a game for #16.(Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center.
- Why VGK have been able to hold the puck in the O-Zone better against MIN than others
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Pavel
** Pavel
* Pavel
Oh my goodness Pavel!
The burnt toast is setting the smoke alarm off now!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 4, 2023
May not have been his night for the first 59:30 of the game, but Eichel has come up big setting up the game tying goal and now the SO goal.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 4, 2023
Ok, I'm officially sold. You can't take this kid out of the lineup for the rest of the regular season.
VGK tie it up and it's an amazing late comeback.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 4, 2023
VGK's puck possession has been really good once again tonight. Cassidy gave a good explanation as to why it's been so good against MIN… which I'm writing about for tomorrow.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 4, 2023
Jailbird
Lemonade out of a lemon. Holy Cow! And, the kid is just fantastic. Finally we have a rookie with elite scoring skills! Just find a way to win baby! Yessssssss!
Rashaad
Jailbird, you called this win. Nice!
Jose
Pistol Pete, Dorofeyev is awesome!
Pistol Pete
Yeah buddy! 2019 #79. Can we say excellent amateur scouting?!
Pistol Pete
3-1-1 = 110 pts (record)
4-1-0 = 111 pts-52 wins: both records)
Can we say Pavel Dorofeyev?! Two goals including the game-tying 6 on 5 plus a shoot-out. Have I not been championing him all along?!
Pistol Pete
Pav’s NHL career:
7 G/2 A: 15 games. = .60 pts/game
That SO goal was unbelievable. What a stick, what athleticism. I predict he ends up with Eichel. Not this season probably but down the road.
Hdbiker7851
PP – does that mean you will finally get off the Eichel kick? Yes he is good player just not worth the money he’s getting. Great win by the Knights. On to Nashville.
Pistol Pete
Hi Hdbiker, I’m on the Eichel as the complete two way player bandwagon ala Patrice Bergeron, so no, as bullish as ever lol. We agree though $10m is steep but had to pay it. Only top line center in the marketplace.
Sorvino
HD Biker, this Eichel stuff needs to stop. It’s a bunch of crap. We need him. He set up the tying goal. If he doesn’t set up that tying goal we get zero points. They won yesterday and that’s what you had to mention? I think the hockey gods Bible thumping is more palatable and easier to listen to than Eichel bashing. At least the hockey god has an excuse as he is certifiably insane and a big-time loser. You are sane. 13 points in 8 games for Eichel who is coming up big when we need him most. He actually didn’t have a very strong game but then all of a sudden he set up the tying goal and scores in the shoot out. That’s what game breakers do, they come up big when you need it.
Pistol Pete
Plus he’s playing two way hockey. I’d rather have point a game Eichel who is defending vs. point and a half a game McDavid who is not.
JV
Keep Dorofeyev in the rest of the season. Put Kolesar or Howden in the press box eating hot dogs. I know Kolesar was standing in front and got lucky, but even the sun shines on a dog’s butt-hole once in a while.
Jailbird
Don’t sit Howden, he’s a tuff kid who plays hard and physical! I think Kolesar just might see some healthy scratch time in playoffs? Especially if Carrier comes back.
JV
I actually like Howden, especially when he scored his 5th goal. But Cassidy seems to have a love affair with Kolesar. I guess he plays, ” the right way”.
Richie-Rich
I actually think VGK played better in the 1st period. The 2nd period was almost all Wild, but Pavel saved the game and 2 points with about 34 seconds left in regulation.
The last 3 minutes was excellent play by the VGK. They didn’t give it away in OT and got the extra point in the SO.
Nice victory!
When everyone is healthy there will be some tough lineup decisions to be made for sure. I think the goaltending is just good enough. I’d like to see more of Carrier, Dorofeyev and Barbashev.
There will be some tough decisions roster-wise come playoff time.
Sorvino
My dream Game 1 lineup
Barbashev – Eichel – Stone
Smith – Karlsson – Marchessault
Carrier – Roy – Dorofeyev
Howden – Blueger – Kessel
Amadio
Kolesar
Pistol Pete
I actually think Cassidy has considered putting Pav up with Eichel. So with Stone back I could see switching Pav and Barbashevin in your lineup, but I think you have it right.
Anyone think Patera should be called up for tomorrow? I mean it’s too late for this trip but if Quick blows the Preds Cassidy should call up Patera to back up Brossoit. Quick better do well tomorrow if he hopes to start for the Kings or otherwise keep his job. He’s 5-2-0 for VGK but only because of the scoring in front of him. His numbers are just awful: GAA 3.53-SV% .896
Blitz
Did Stephenson turn to shit and the hogs ate him?
rick schoen
Where do you see Cotter fitting in?
Rashaad
Trump Indicted
Mark
Marxists Democrats !
Pistol Pete
Cassidy should absolutely try putting Dorofeyev with Eichel and Marchy especially that this last game that line was cold. Eichel could use a guy like Dorofeyev to go with Marchy who can really shoot. True he’s not yet physical like Barbashev but that should be coming.
Also, practice the PP with Pav one timing from one of the circles. His first goal in the Wild game proves what I already knew that he has a good one-timer. The PP needs an answer and that could be one.
Pistol Pete
Fact is Pav brings something to the Karlsson line that’s not there without Marchy, however Cassidy could still try:
Dorofeyev-Eichel-Marchessault
Smith-Karlsson-Roy
Barbashev-Stephenson-Kessel
Amadio (Howden)-Blueger-Kolesar (Amadio)
Scratch Cotter and/or Howden, Amadio, Kolesar
Pistol Pete
Another option for moving Pav up is to keep Roy as 3C and put Stephenson as RW on the Karlsson line. I really like the idea of Barbashev on the 3rd line for the added depth. Eichel, Marchessault, Roy and Bleuger is excellent depth down the middle.
Dorofeyev-Eichel-Marchessault
Smith-Karlsson-Stephenson
Barbashev-Roy-Kessel
Amadio (Howden)-Blueger-Kolesar (Amadio)
Scratch Cotter and/or Howden, Amadio, Kolesar
This team is deep and that’s with Theodore and Carrier out. Three viable D-men in Henderson if needed. Brisson under development. Going to be tough for him to make this deep roster next season as I suspect they will extend Barbashev and Bleuger.
Ken Hates The FO
I don’t think I like Pav with Eichel; he fits perfectly with Smith and Karlsson, two very experienced and responsible 200-ft players. I think Eichel and Pav on the same line would have me at least a little bit concerned defensively, although Eichel’s defense has been a little better than anticipated.
Keep Pav with Smith and Karlsson; it works!
Pistol Pete
I see your point it’s just that Cassidy may determine Dorofeyev stands to be even better with Eichel and Marchy. He brings more O-zone time to the Karlsson line for sure but because the Eichel line is as much an O-zone line as a rush one that will suit Pav. I see him in the slot all the time waiting to be set up. As decent as Barbashev has been I don’t have him as a top line winger. Dorofeyev’s I do. As I said, if not this season, then next.
TS
Way to come from behind!! NEVER GIVE UP!! The guys have handled the injuries in stride this season, and the line shuffling as a result. Last year caught us off- guard, with the goalie situation, and it affected their confidence, even with LT doing a great job. The team didn’t seem to get rattled this season, as our goalie situation was again a question mark. We’ve survived, we’ve thrived, and we’re in the Playoffs!!!
Rashaad
Trump arraigned
Pistol Pete
That SO goal by Pav. My goodness, that is a top line winger for sure, if not this season then next. The kid can find the back of the net and his play in the D-zone has been fine, better than fine even.
TS
Pp, he has nerves of steel! There’s no CHOKE in his vocabulary..really impressive to watch!
THE hockey GOD
down 3-2 , going into third period, against THE best third period team in league AND leading in their division. BING
BANG
BOOM
4-3 winner
this team needs a designated song, so many times the Wild could have put them away, but they didn’t.
I nominate
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
And to non prayer, non religious putz’s on this board
JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING !!
it’s passover week, tread carefully. Easter and resurrection Sunday is right around the corner.
Ts
Great advice, thg!! We should ALL tread carefully! PERFECT!
Let there be PEACE in the valley!
TS
Btw: I approve of your theme song. See? We CAN agree on something!
Jailbird
Be careful of a trap game Tuesday vs Nashville? Probably Quick in net. He’s been giving up 3+ goals, he needs to do better. Will boys be looking toward showdown game vs Kings Thursday?
THE hockey GOD
youtube this
watch?v=SYhPvYMbVso
Mark
That was some of the sweetest passing I’ve ever seen to tie the game at the end. Karlsson’s tip to Doro was absolutely magical. Think about it, Doro had a point blank sniper shot because of that passing. Every tell guys like McKinnon, the whiner,he is that this is a team sport, not a McDavid Sport. How many Cups has that guy won ? That team, is not going anywhere. Their not the Oilers, their the Coilers for God sake. What a bunch of sackless crybabies and floppers those bums are, I want em bad, really bad !!Doro, he could be the best player from that draft, time will tell but the 4th round, the kid plays like a top 5 pick as far as I can tell !!
Sorvino
It’s good to have the best front office in the entire league. That’s how you find gems like Dorofeyeb. Shrewd front office
Mark
They definitely have an eye for talent.
Pistol Pete
Actually he was #79 (#17 in the 3rd round). But agreed excellent scouting as I have said before (at least once lol).
Tim
Like I told you all before Dorofeyev when drafted went to rookie camp and shined. Everyone’s on his bandwagon now but if you’ve followed the Knights from the beginning you would know this. He’s coming into his own and does have a nice shot. When and if Stone and Carrier come back they’ll be a logjam and we’ll see if Cassidy will favor experience or youth.
Pistol Pete
Tim for the record I was with you on Dorofeyev from the beginning. It’s obvious to me he’s a top line winger. He’ll be with Eichel. For the third time today, I predict if not this season, the next.
TS
Mark, love it! Floppers. Soccer Floppers, only on skates!!
Mark
True TS, it also reminded me of WWE, Ultimate Warrior, The Rock, Rowdy Roddy Piper, etc.. Top heavy teams never win. Balance, depth and defense wins Cups, not phony superstars who run around crying to the refs all night, those teams never win. Does any know McDavid stats on the PP, it’s absolutely jaded, off kilt, not balanced and their in 3rd or 4th place. I just can’t stomach posers, whiner’s. I would pay good money to see his ass get kicked, like McKinnon did for what, 10 years before he got a Cup. Anyway, that game tying goal was absolutely magical.
VGK fan
FYI to all season ticket holders read your contract, my contract reads VGK can not increase first round tickets over 50% above your season ticket price in the first round of the playoffs. However, they did charged over 50%, in my case, so please review your contract. Its important to note because the second and third round can go up 75% per round and the finals 100%.