Recap: The 2023 Stanley Cup champion hosted the 2022 Stanley Cup champion for an exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. The Avalanche quickly jumped on the board with a goal 1:57 into the game. Ten minutes later Colorado doubled their lead. Vegas trailed 2-0 after the opening twenty minutes.
Nathan MacKinnon added to the Avalanche’s lead in the second period but Nic Roy got one back minutes later. The Avalanche held a 3-1 advantage heading into the second intermission.
Pavel Dorofeyev snapped a quick shot off a faceoff to cut the deficit to one. Midway through the period Jonathan Marchessault tipped home a Shea Theodore shot to tie it. And then, Paul Cotter slammed the door shut to help VGK overcome a three-goal deficit and beat the Avalanche.
The Golden Knights wrap up their preseason on Saturday with an afternoon matchup against the LA Kings. Puck drop for the final exhibition game is scheduled for 1 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: VGK looked very sleepy for a good portion of the beginning of the game. They did start to get it going as the game went on, and then really turned it up in the 3rd and came back to win, which was nice. (Recap by Ken)
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Mark Stone
** Nic Roy
* Jack Eichel
I was writing entries for SinBingo cards today and one that I had in there was "VGK overcome a 3 goal deficit to win."
Thought to myself, that's a really tough one. Little did I know they might do it tonight.
SinBingo returns next week!
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 6, 2023
Hockey never looks better than when it's viewed through the lens of @BrandonGoalie31. pic.twitter.com/Sv6azz2ROk
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 6, 2023
Jonathan Drouin looks like Nic Roy. pic.twitter.com/UpvFKdjlCC
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 6, 2023
I'd like to see VGK integrate the 3-high look COL uses a lot in the offensive zone. Just feel like Eichel holding the puck in the high slot would be nearly impossible to defend (as it is when MacKinnon has it up there).
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 6, 2023
Henderson Knights
welcome back Cotter !!!
larry
Pavo and Cotter both helped their causes tonight….we have never in the regular season…exhibition or playoffs ever scored a goal off the faceoff llike he did..of course generally speaking we dont win a lot of faceoffs!!…if Cotter plays that kind of physical game straight out of the 1980’s he will be a major factor to invigorate his team and the crowd.
Mark
I was at the game, terrific environment. 2 different teams, we dominated the 3rd, looked more like our team. Very pleased, we didnt quit. Its going to be a fun ride this year, go Knights !!
Pistol Pete
The Dorofeyev/Cotter derby to succeed Reilly Smith continues. Kudos to each for scoring key goals. Personally I still think it will be Dorofeyev-Karlsson-Amadio and we could see Dorofeyev and Cotter alternating in that slot depending on who does better. Cotter plays hard and physical. Dorofeyev has improved a lot on the boards and is way harder on the puck than when he was under earlier development. To my eye he’s more of a celebral and finesse player than Cotter, the goal-scoring shot off the face off being an example, better puck control and at least as defensively responsible. Pav playing with Karlsson will be all the better for further development of his 200 ft. game as well.
Pistol Pete
Assuming Karlsson is unable to go vs. Seattle I should imagine the lines will be exactly as they were this game (Pav and Cotter both in). Doubt we’ll see Brisson and Comtois Saturday in LA as Cassidy probably wants another regular season lineup to finish the preseason.
TS
Nice comeback. The Boys are Back!
The Boys are back in Town! ( and some SCORING!…)
Pistol Pete
Nice to see Jack logging PK time. I knew Cassidy would do that. Only a matter of time before we start seeing shorties by him. Over/under this season anybody?
Anyone see the McPhee interview following the first period where he mentioned that Eichel is a good defensive center?
Richie-Rich
I have a #43 Gold Jersey. But, I have to say that Dorofeyev is faster and a better puck handler. Cotter is better along the boards fighting for pucks.
Brisson may be wearing #19, but I think it is going to be #16 taking Smith’s spot.
This leaves Pachal as low hanging fruit. I don’t think Pachal stood out last night.
Pistol Pete
Pachal has looked pretty solid to me. He’s played 12 regular season games and one playoff game. +2 with 2 A. He has not hurt us. Hutton has 468 games but is -75 lifetime regular season. With his experience he gets the nod over Pachal.
Richie-Rich
Interesting. I thought Hutton was a lock to make the team. I could be wrong! Good point PP!
Pistol Pete
R-R I don’t expect Pachal to displace Hutton at this time.
Jailbird
Glad to see the boys come back, but still waiting for the 10th. Going to be short handed a normal starter or two. Overall LT played well. I think Cotter looked good. It’s obvious Whitey will be out for awhile. If Marty is not ready then our d-men unit will be under the gun.
Pistol Pete
Petro-Hague
McNabb-Theodore
Pachal-Hutton
Still decent but not as strong as with Marty and Whitecloud.
Marty back:
Hague-Hutton or Pachal
hdbiker7851
Not what you would call a Stanley Cup champion performance for the first two periods but a very impressive showing in the third. In some regard being behind like they were and coming back to win could very well be a blessing in disguise. That is not suggesting in any way shape or form that it’s the way to win all the time, but it proved once again they don’t seem to panic when behind.
knights fan in minny
saw the 3rd period on nhl network today the boys played well lt looked good nice goal by pavel
THE hockey GOD
good thing you didn’t see the first two periods !!! SINKO