Recap: The Golden Knights returned home for an out-of-conference matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus struck first 8:24 into the opening period and followed up with another goal two minutes later. However, Vegas answered right back off a Reilly Smith deflection. After 20 minutes, the Golden Knights trailed 2-1.
Smith scored his second goal of the game five minutes into the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Jack Eichel snapped the tie with his 13th goal of the season. Captain Mark Stone scored VGK’s fourth straight goal to take a 4-2
advantage into the final break.
Columbus battled in the final frame and got within one. However, Brett Howden scored down the stretch to regain VGK’s two-goal edge
The Golden Knights record improves to 19-11-12 defeating the Blue Jackets 5-3 at T-Mobile Arena. Next up, Vegas will host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It was another slow start that got compounded by a pretty nasty looking injury to Carter Hart. However, from the moment VGK went down two, they were dominant the rest of the game. Top-line looked brilliant all night and was highlighted by Mark Stone’s 6th straight game with a goal. Now, too keep playing like this… and preferably before they go down a couple goals. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Columbus Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena.
- Unbalanced schedule the rest of the way
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Jack Eichel
** Reilly Smith
* Mark Stone
vgk21
Stone is rolling, and Vgk fans can get some satisfaction.
Standard Stoney…..awesome!
keep it going. don’t gather any moss.
knights fan in minny
A solid squad win who lit the fire under Smitty Love it What can you say about the captain a man possessed Coughlin had a nice game too Can we have a miracle Hill comes back and plays lights out didn’t look good for hart
Pistol Pete
VGK got the upper hand tonight but I would not call this “bum slaying”. We came out firing with intensity good zone time definitely not a “slow start” but CBJ being the speedy skilled team they are went up 2-0 and got within one late. Dangerous team. If you don’t agree I suggest Google!
These new line combos worked well first time out and he stayed with them all game. Good coaching Bruce. Eichel scores ES his line, Smith scores twice ES on the Marner line, Howden an ES goal Kolesar assisted on the Hertl line, Dorfeyev-Sissons-Bowman we’ll see might work Pav a top scorer on the bottom line interesting idea.
Points pace 98 on the way back to 100+!
Pistol Pete
Meant to mention I attended the game. Saw the speed skill and intensity both teams all game. Saw it firsthand!
TS
Pp, you saw a good one!! Glad you got to be there for it!
NAM
Yep Pav got buried on the bottom line and the team got better as a result. He still managed to get a -1, but it at least elevated Hertl’s line to be useful again.
Walt
The passing and the forecheck were far better tonight. more like the old Vgk we used to see at home games.
and who would have thunk that Schmid would account for 29 points in the standings by the halfway mark?
hdbiker7851
Great win – what was interesting to see was they were having fun playing and not all tied up in their skate laces. They proved again what is possible when they come prepared to win. Going down two before they got going was a little concerning given that has been their play for some time. Great recovery – surprised no stoppage of play when Hart went down, couldn’t even pick up his stick. The challenge going forward is to keep it going – here’s to a win Saturday evening.
TS
Hdbiker, I could be wrong, but I think the rule is that if WE had puck posesssion, a TO would have been called. As long as your opponent controls the puck, play goes on… which makes no sense, if the Goalie is hurt, as Hart was…
.
larry
,,,,but yet when the goalie loses his mask there is an INSTANT stoppage of play because the goalie is at RISK according to the safety rules of the game….Hart showed his absolute courage by trying to fight for his team and teammates by still doing his utmost to protect the net….he apparently could not process the best thing he could have done was to simply flop to the ice which at that point i do believe play would have stopped due to the injury.
As i mentioned last night, seeing him being taken to the back it sure looks like a season ending injury for him, I just hope his career is not in jeopardy.
VGK fan
I would agree with the first part but the second part might be a little on the melodramatic side
Leonard Wise
I know I’m going to get people angry. But nothing good came out of this game except the 2 points. They beat 2 teams with the worst records in their conferences. We lost our goal tender for what looks to be a long time. The way state run media was describing things was like they won the division. Yes they play better but let’s see how they do against at least a mediocre team. Back to backs are now going to be tricky. Believe it or not until this year there would be no question we would bum slay this team. I hope I’m wrong I’m a big fan of this team my next home game is Toronto. Maybe I will drink some of the cool aid Pete’s drinking when I’m there. If we start bum slaying mediocre teams I’ll be convinced we turned a corner.
TS
State- run Media?? Say what??
Emmanuel
LW your prudence is justified. They appear to be punching down at times.
Scott
All the above comments are excellent! I will add one more thought:
Dylan Freaking Coughlan!!! (And he did it without even a morning skate!!)
Pistol Pete
Oilers managed a come from behind win over the Jets who are much better than their record imo anyways.
Emmanuel
Yes, they will surprise in the 2nd 1/2 (if healthy).
JB
Two in a row! Was tuff to watch hart trying to move while play was going on. Good game overall I thought.
Pistol Pete
In case anyone is interested I posted a bunch live from the game last article.
TS
The guys found some of that Mojo Magic they’ve been missing!! Great composure to comeback and KEEP the lead for the W– and it didn’t take OT to do.it!!
Pistol Pete
Couple good Dorofeyev to Bowman looks. Pav’s playmaking is improving too bad Bowman’s shots were off target. Want to see more of that line Saturday. Would be nifty to have one of your top scorers work on the bottom line. That would be depth.
Emmanuel
I too noticed his passing has improved, scary to think he could be more than a sniper, at that point hes at all-star level.
Jake
The team stupor seems to have lifted.
Keep it up!
larry
A few thoughts……
…..thought Coghlan was very noticeable during the game by being unnoticeable which means he was doing his job in whatever the total minutes he was allotted…however the 1 time he was noticeable was when he stick handled and carried the puck out of the defensive zone with speed….speed i tell ya!!!….to create a Grade A scoring chance.
……thought Schmid overall was excellent in relief….what he does and how he does what is required of him to enter a game cold and perform well is a testament to his internal and physical makeup….having said that he doesnt look quite as composed sometimes in net and rebound control needs to be better but overall kudos to him.
…..thought KEN’S 3 stars couldnt really be argued with….BUT….to me this was Marner’s most impactful game as a Golden Knight…his end to end rush and snap shot was something I hadnt seen and want to see more of…he was all over the ice and his passing was worthy of the assists he garnered…..THAT is the player that is needed!!!
Emmanuel
Even with a healthy Hill, Akira is my #1 , no knock on the other guys cause its a razor thin margin.
Walt
I completely agree. Schmid is the only Vgk goalie with more wins than losses.
and he has 29 points, while the other 3 have only 21 points combined.
Frank
Being down 2-0 to this team was a fluke…. especially with what happened on the first CBJ goal. In any event – that’s the speed and intensity that they need to play with every night! They were all over the puck. Just need to get a few more pieces back…. and hopefully soon!