Recap: The Golden Knights hosted the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins for their second game of 2023. Vegas got off to a really quick start receiving their first goal from Phil Kessel 1:53 into the opening period. After an 11-game absence, Jack Eichel doubled VGK’s lead to 2-0. It was Eichel’s 14th goal of the season and his first since December 3rd. Later in the period, Chandler Stephenson extended the Golden Knights lead 3-0 with a power play goal.
Pittsburgh outshot Vegas in the middle frame but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Golden Knights killed off a penalty mid-way through the period to hold the Penguins scoreless. Mark Stone tallied his 17th goal of the season with 0:11 left in the period. After 40 minutes the home team held a 4-1 advantage.
The Penguins finally got on the scoreboard early in the final period, but the Golden Knights continued to attack. Paul Cotter ripped a one-time pass from Kessel to register his 5th goal of the season.
The Golden Knights record improves to 27-12-2 drubbing the Penguins 5-2. Vegas will take the ice on Saturday for a divisional battle against the LA Kings. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The Golden Knights won this game with a dominant 1st period. They came out and were all Penguins from the opening faceoff. They scored quickly off a good forechecking play by William Karlsson, then got a pair more as they beat Pittsburgh in every facet. The 2nd was almost as bad as the 1st was good but Adin Hill came up big. They basically just protected their way to the win in the 3rd. (Analysis by Ken)
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 6, 2023
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at T-Mobile Arena.
- Cassidy’s preferred four centers
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** William Karlsson
** Phil Kessel
* Adin Hill
Maybe Phil just needs to play the Penguins every night. This has been his best game of the year without question.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 6, 2023
VGK got dominated for the first 14 minutes of this period.
Excellent shift from Karlsson turns it around, they build and build, and eventually one trickles through on a Stone tip.
Complimentary hockey starting with the goalie, followed by the depth. 4-0 VGK
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 6, 2023
10 out of 10 period. I don't hand those out very often but this one deserved it. Brilliant 1st period for VGK.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 6, 2023
vgk21
Big win. Jack is back…..and so is Cotter. Hill was good, he made up for his last outing. 9 and 43 with 5 pts, and the lines got way better with the reinforcements arriving.
Sat= beat LA
Pistol Pete
Bruins did us a favor tonight taking care of the Kings.
Pistol Pete
Jack Eichel first 28 games:
32 pts (14 G/18 A) +19
Emmanuel Docazal
I wonder if he will be better defensively in his 30’s.
Pistol Pete
Karlsson might just be the answer for the third. We’ll see if Cassidy thinks Amadio is sustainable on the first. Marchy likely back for Saturday.
Amadio/Stephenson/Stone
Marchy/Eichel/Smith
Cotter/Karlsson/Kessel
Carrier/Roy/Kolesar
Pretty deep and Kessel looked real good tonight. There’s a lot to like right nowincluding that the HSK D’s have been excellent all three of them. Dorofeyev is my choice over Leschyshyn in the pecking order. What’s up with the mystery injury to Doro?
Emmanuel Docazal
I’d go with:
Smith/Karlsson/Stone
Amadio/Eichel/March
Carrier/Roy/Stephenson
Kolesar/Cotter/Kessel
knights fan in minny
solid team win hill did his job can’t wait for the squad to get back to full strength then watch the points pile up
TS
CONGRATS TO LT, who was chosen for the ALLSTAR GAME!! THE HOCKEY WORLD IS READY TO SHOWCASE HIS TALENT FOR ALL TO SEE— FANTASTIC!!
THE hockey GOD
the old guy finally showed up !
Jailbird
Nice win, big divisional game with Kings Saturday.
Tim
I really like this Cotter kid the energizer bunny has nothing on him. Kessel had a nice game. Hague with Miromanov in his rear view mirror has been playing much better. Like Pistol Pete I like Pavel Dorofeyev I think he can become a good player. Lots to like last night minus the second period big game with LA tomorrow.
Emmanuel Docazal
Is Hague being overused?