Recap: The Golden Knights kicked off the franchise’s 10th NHL season with a home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Vegas warmed up their offense by drawing a couple of early power plays. Two-time Golden Knight Victor Olofsson opened the scoring to give Vegas the first lead of the season. A few shifts later, rookie Trevor Connelly scored his first career NHL goal to hand Vegas a 2-0 edge.
Chicago climbed within one deep into the middle period. Minutes later, Jack Eichel scored to give Vegas a 3-1 advantage. Eichel’s goal was his 700th career NHL point.
Quickly into the final frame, the Blackhawks cut into the Golden Knights’ lead. 39 seconds later, Noah Hanifin scored to make it a 4-2 VGK advantage. Vegas captain Mark Stone sealed the game with a late empty-net score.
The Golden Knights record improves to 1-0-0 by defeating the Blackhawks 5-2 on Opening Night. Next, Vegas will host Pacific Division rival Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: VGK came out flying to open the game, looking like the faster team by a mile in the 1st period. They were able to draw a few penalties and land a bunch of shots which led to a pair of goals. It wasn’t nearly as dominant in the next two periods but it certainly felt like any time Vegas needed to turn it up they were able to and Chicago had no answer. Much bigger test coming up on Friday. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena.
- SinBin Podcast
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Trevor Connelly
** Noah Hanifin
* Jack Eichel
Jose
Well done.
Pistol Pete
Nice debut for Trevor Connelly. We was -1 but along with Hertl and Marner lead in shots with four. Not bad.
Here is what McCrimmonn told be in March when I emailed him about Connelly (he did add maybe 10 lb. of muscle).
“An exciting player with tremendous upside, he was fantastic again last night.
As you say, a little more size and strength and we have a heckuva player.”
Vic
Period 2 was an everything you wanted to know about Bedard interview, and then a hockey game broke out.
Emmanuel
I know its only 1 game but the Blackhawks look like a mess.
Theyll get a top 3 pick in June.
Pistol Pete
Craig’s puck mover each pair 5×5 TOI:
Theodore 17:19
Andersson 17::26
Hanifin 16:50
That is way above average for a third pair. Good thinking by Craig this may just work. Hanifin scored on the rush.
Larry
Hanifin on the rush, I didn’t think I would see or hear that aspect again, I know last year he hardly ever joined a rush or really participated offensively , if he should add this element to his game going forward would be a major plus to VGK.
VGK fan
You are right that was good to see, he has the most speed among the defensemen and I think I even saw him throw a bodycheck, will wonders never cease??
JB
Hart looked good. Nice start!
Ice Warrior
I was there and I just want to say that Hockey Is Fun Again! (at least last night it sure was)
vgk21
good start. 1 down, 83 to go.
congrats to Connelly.
and Olofsson has the deadly shot that is a reasonable facsimile of Doro.
and Jack was dominant. a goal and 2 very nice primary assists
2 stats to look at, one good one bad—–
Hart had a .923 save % and both goalies MUST continue to have over .900 and allow 2 goals or less every damn game. the Vgk only allow about 25 shots per game.
the bad= Vgk 22 giveaways, WAY too many, not good in the 2nd period when they were weak on clearing the zone.
and a reminder that the Hawks are a poor team that only wins about 25 games per year. the competition will get a lot tougher.
Knights fan in minny
The Bedard interview was a joke It lasted way too long They didn’t need to Do the split screen shows you why ESPN Hockey is a joke The only good thing about it was Stormy was back TNT is much better
vgk21
I agree Minny.
although it was a nice tribute by Jack Eichel to Barry Melrose.
Knights fan in minny
I missed it I walked into the other room and came back and just caught the last two seconds Is there anywhere you can see that
Frank
Nice start by the VGK. New faces looked good. Hart was solid but unspectacular (this is what our goaltending needs to be – if we have over a .900 save percentage this year, we’ll win quite a few more games). Great start by Eichel. Team looks fast and hungry. That being said CHI is a cupcake. We’ll see what happens against better teams – but looks good so far!
Richie-Rich
Game 1 Analysis VGK 5, CHI-Bedard 2
Great debut for Coach Ryan Craig. Key take aways from a coaching perspective. Reduce time and space and don’t give the opposition time to think. Speed through the neutral zone worked extremely well. It was an end to trying to constantly push the puck up the ice along the boards.. A couple of breakdowns led to the two goals.
It was nice to see both Oloffson and Connelly producing as the team is going to need them to step it up. Connelly still has some growing to do. If he put on 10 pounds then he was only 167 last year. He held is own physically and I saw him get dumped only once.
Our neighbors in Section 11 the past few seasons didn’t renew their tickets this year. They never stayed past the 2nd period. Very wierd. We have partial season ticket holders next to us now and guess what? End of the 2nd period they get up and say good night and leave!!!
Classy giving Cole Smith some props here in Vegas!