Recap: The Golden Knights welcomed the Detroit Red Wings for their second game of their current six-game homestand. Vegas outshot Detroit 14 to 9 in the opening period, but neither team could find the back of the net.
The game remained scoreless through most of the middle frame until Ivan Barbashev gave Vegas the opening lead of the game. After 40 minutes, the home team held a 1-0 edge.
Detroit was awarded a crucial 3rd period power play but Vegas killed it off to hang on to their one-goal advantage. The Golden Knights had a goal called back in the final frame, but went on to finish off the Red Wings 1-0.
The Golden Knights’ record improves to 7-2-3 defeating the Red Wings 1-0 at T-Mobile Arena. Next up, Vegas will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It was a fairly even contest for most of the night. VGK’s chances were all coming in tight but in heavy traffic while DET’s were much further away but less contested. Eventually the closer shots won out and Vegas got a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena.
- 5-on-6 dominance
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Akira Schmid
** Ivan Barbashev
* Noah Hanifin
Pistol Pete
Nice to see Brandon Saad land six shots and score an assist. Nice shot by Lauzon alas Howden offsides on the entry similar to Kucherov. Back in first albeit tied with the surprising (or not so surprising) Ducks.
larry
Defensively almost perfect tonight, keeping things to the outside and clogging up the middle, on the very few breakdowns Shmid was there to protect the net and preserve the lead, sadly however the excellent defensive effort does not mask the continued offensive issues plaguing VGK.
Let us hope that what some call the Invisible Man (okay that is ME! haha) Brandon Saad found something tonight cause for sure he was very visible all night.
Pistol Pete
Thought they were really able to get the puck to the net and get in front of it just was not finding its way past Gibson. Believe Cassidy was happy with the effort. Increased O zone time is what he wants and he got it this game. Hertl line very good again. In one instance both Hertl and Dorofeyev were net front and Gibson caught some puck luck in that not being a goal.
Pistol Pete
Gibson was very good tonight. He’s always been stingy against us. It’s true he’s lost more to the VGK than any goalie over 3 GAA but .905! .905 is actually very good considering the beat down we have given him over the years.
Scott
I don’t think the offense struggled much tonight. We had high danger chances and solid looks all night long. Sometimes the puck doesn’t go in. Gibson was excellent for the Wings tonight.
Larry
I actually thought Gibson was kinda shaky, creating a lot of rebounds and chances, which contributed to my observation that the offense is still struggling to create chances and cash in on them.
On the bright side we got 2 points, and the $&7()( oilers blew another 2 goal lead tonight!
Leonard Wise
While I’m glad Saad played well for a game an interesting stat will illustrate this teams problems. Olofsson has more goals and points than our entire defense and our bottom two lines excluding Karly.
Pistol Pete
Tempting to think based on Olofsson’s start with the Avs that McCrimmon should have extended him and not say Saad however he had stretches like that here but in the end he just kind of churned with injuries and inconsistent production.
How does one like the figure skating moves Marner shows off in the warm-up showcasing his agility on a pair of skates? That agility manifests as more than a career point a game!
Pretty sure we see a maiden Dorofeyev fight he came fairly close tonight. He consistently goes to the front of the net where tempers can flare.
Larry
I’m not too sure we will ever see a Dorofeyev fight, but his current strength is noticeable in the corners fighting for the puck, retrieving and maintaining possession, a weakness that had been in his game is becoming a solid asset..
Jose
Larry, Let’s hope it carries over into playoffs.
TS
Pp, Marner’s pregame skating was Poetry in Motion! He enjoyed it, his smile giving him away— he’s a closet OLYMPIAN!! I like this young man’s spirit and attitude!!
TS
Re DORO: i think other teams see a very young, innocent barely- legal player, a newbee, easy mark, easy target. He looks, like 15 yrs old! But, I also think Doro is persistent, a never- give- up player, so when opponents challenge him he pushes back..and he WILL PUSH BACK.IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE!
Jose
Hello TS, agree on both of your comments.
Ghost of #29
Would it be crazy to suggest an argument to be made is that our “#1 Goalie” just may be our 4th best goalie?
And when factoring in value/pay/contract it’s looking like a far easier argument?
DocG
Don’t think he is actualy #4, more like #3 for now. I can’t put Carter Hart anywhere but last since he hasn’t played a game for 22 months
JB
A very good game by our boys. Don’t agree with comments on lack of offense. When Gibson gets hot he is as good as anyone. Now time for a little payback on Tampa Thursday!
Ghost of DeBoer
I know it’s early, but is anyone wondering if our #1 Goalie just might be our 4’th best goalie? Certainly could make the argument at this point. And if one considers value/contract, how do they stack up in that category? So if Carter Hart is real good, as is possible, where will that leave us? Getting interesting in net….
NAM
I think every goalie on the VGK since Hills acquisition , outside of Samsonov, has shown better than Hill. Perhaps you could say Quick wasn’t a good fit in the system and therefore worse than Hill, but really a better overall goalie in general. This is a friendly system for goalies or at least it is by design. It is not a surprise Schmid or Lindbom can come in and play pretty good. The reason I don’t want Hill in is because he never plays better than the defense. There are goalies that can keep their team in the game when their team D isn’t on point. Hill is not that guy. This team needs that guy. I really hope for a change going forward, post injury, but poor decisions got us here and I am not sure they can be easily fixed.
trade
The objective from the coach was to shoot more often, score greasy, and get the first goal. mission accomplished.
Schmiddy is the Vgk #1 goalie right now. He looks excellent, and his record proves it. when Theodore fell down and gave DeBrincat a breakaway, and Schmid made the key save of the game, he just added to his current elevated status.
Hanifin played well and his return allowed the other dmen to play their more established roles, in terms of minutes played and opposing lines faced.
Defense wins playoff games, and this type of game by the Vgk should be the model. when the opponent does not score, you never lose.
DruBlu
A shutout is a shutout is a shutout!
Marner is definitely getting more comfortable and it’s a joy to watch.
Hanny took no time to get into game form. We needed that.
Schmid’s double-save was gorgeous.
Bring on the Bolts! Time to shut off the electricity!