Recap: The Golden Knights were looking to make it two wins in a row under new coach John Tortorella with a victory against the visiting Calgary Flames. Calgary struck first 7:41 into the game on their second shot on net. Vegas had 14 shots on net and two power play chances but trailed 1-0 after the opening 20 minutes.
Mitch Marner tied the game in the first two minutes of the second period with his 21st goal of the season. Calgary regained their lead a few shifts later, but Marner again evened the score with his second goal of the night. The Flames took a 3-2 lead on their 14th shot of the contest, but Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev answered back on the power play. After two periods the game was locked in a 3-3 score.
After a lengthy delay to start the third period, the Golden Knights took their first lead of the game. Brett Howden scored his 10th goal of the season to give Vegas a 4-3 advantage. Minutes later, Ivan Barbashev extended the lead with his 22nd goal. Marner completed the hat trick to seal the game for Vegas.
The Golden Knights record improves to 34-26-16, defeating the Flames 6-3 at T-Mobile Arena. Next, Vegas will travel to Edmonton for a potential playoff preview against the Oilers. Puck drop in Edmonton is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: VGK have unlocked their scoring, which is a massive part of finding wins at this time of year. With it, though, has come a new really big problem. They are having an extremely hard time limiting odd-man rushes, something they have been elite at under the previous regime. It led to all three CGY goals and it gave them a chance in a game they couldn’t generate much of anything in the offensive zone. Vegas hung with it and eventually the Flames cracked by making a few mistakes that fed right into VGK’s skill and they executed. It wasn’t quite a must-win, but considering the opponent, it was close, and they got it done despite falling behind three times. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena.
- Mitch Marner will remain as a center
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Shea Theodore
** Pavel Dorofeyev
* Mitch Marner
rb7
Marner !
Marner !
Marner !
that is all that needs to be said about that game.
Pistol Pete
Mitch Marner’s first VGK hat trick. That five pointer puts him back over a point a game on the season. Was sort of hoping he might have a four goal night. Him and Eichel have each done that once in their career both with their old team.
Maybe just maybe did Torts’ extra shooting drills help this game? I say keep practicing the sniping shoot shoot shoot. Keep working at the Torts play fast fast fast.
Sharks win, Kraken lose, Kings tied 4-4 with Preds in the third.
Biggie Saturday. We can still win this division.
Pistol Pete
NSH wins the SO. Kings 5 pts behind us they have one game in hand.
Actually, Sharks with their win also 5 pts behind us but they have two games in hand.
Leonard Wise
Went to the game Marner was dominant. I thought Hart did well considering he’s played a month in the last 2 plus years. Bad turnovers led to 3 2 on 1s need to work on it almost a must win game for Knights came through well. I also notice Howden and Barbie are thriving so far. Eichel wasn’t special tonight has to adjust.
Pistol Pete
McPhee on Marner as center:
https://x.com/craftintact/status/2039847237011009795?s=46
I was wrong about him playing center in the juniors. KM recently informed me on that as well. On the London Knights he played RW.
Pistol Pete
Here’s the entire interview starting a few minutes in. Firing Cassidy a main topic obviously.
https://x.com/craftintact/status/2039847412811157650?s=46
FG
Marner was maniacal.
Jack needs to get going, perhaps hypnotize him into thinking he is still at the Olympics.
That third D pair is a playoff series killer.
JB
Yea Jack just doesn’t seem to have much juice? Just skates around aimlessly much of the time. I really think the Olympics were his whole goal this season. He needs to kick it in for us to have a chance the rest of this season!
Larry
JB, I wasn’t able to watch the game last night cause was working, but yes have noticed the same thing about Eichel.
His heart sadly doesn’t seem to be in it, gets frustrated too easily and it affects his game, he’s not fully hustling like before, and even more noticeable he doesn’t seem to fully relish or share emotion when a teammate scores a goal and the ensuing hugs. I guarantee if I notice it while watching, the team does as well.
JB
That is correct Larry ! Have see the Sam things and I imagine many more and players have noticed. It ducks!
vgk21
good win.
some items need attention though.
Eichel, Stone, and Hertl all need to get going again in the goal scoring dept
and the d corps need to stop with the high risk, low percentage pinches that cause 2 on 1 breaks and goals against.
and the faceoffs were a problem for Vgk in that game.
gotta balance the good with need improvement issues to play top teams.
vgk21
and also a btw.
Vgk 7-16 in OT and SO
just reverse that dismal record, and the Vgk would have 93 pts and be cruising in first place.
or just an 11-12 record would put them in first place.
a very important factor in the coaching change, as the losses in OT and SO to Edm and Wash directly preceded his firing.
Rrale
Watching Jack play seems to look like he thinks the season ended at the Olympics. He needs to pick it back up if VGK want to have a chance in the playoffs. Maybe he is playing hurt? Either mentally or physically or maybe both. It was a good win last night. As a win is a win.
knights fan in minny
Good win for the boys filled the net finally with goals Mitch the one man wrecking crew get ready for a physical one Saturday night Maybe the boy should put a little extra padding on their back playing against that cross checking to the back excessively punk nurse
JB
I don’t know if we have anyone that could beat Nurse in a fight, but, I think just taking him on would serve a bid purpose. The guy is a dirty prick and thinks everyone is scared of him. If somebody doesn’t stand up to him, then we would have no chance in a series!
Larry
We actually do have someone that would stand up to him and fight him in an instant, the only problem is he is too old and doesn’t lace up skates….. George McPhee!
SHS
Lauzon without a doubt.
Tim
Well unless a miracle happens and this being holy week maybe J C can give us little push otherwise we take third in the Pacific. I guess it’s what we deserve after a shitty season . As the saying goes you keep what you sow and now it bites us in the ass.
Canada
Pete thanks for the clip great insights
Richie-Rich
Game 76 Analysis VGK 6, CGY 3
Had to chase the scoreboard for 40 minutes, but unlike what we’ve seen in other games this season the VGK stepped on the gas and took the victory in grand fashion.
Dowd, C. Smith are growing on me and look to be fitting in well on the roster. Bowman back to Henderson for more seasoning! Carter Hart looked good in his first game back.
Pistol Pete
Blues crush the Ducks in Anaheim 6-2. ANA, EDM, VGK no games in hand. All three play tomorrow. The Flames are in Anaheim.
Pistol Pete
HSK beats Tucson 4-3. Toppish D prospect Viliam Kmec scores, Connelly gets another assist extending his point streak to 17 games, Bowman gets an assist, Lindbom 27/30. Pretty sure they would have to waive Saad to call anybody up not that it would happen this late in the season.