Recap: The Stanley Cup champions began their quest to defend their title on Tuesday night against the Seattle Kraken. After raising the City of Las Vegas’ first Stanley Cup banner the Golden Knights started up right where they left off. After a few early rushes from Seattle, Vegas’ offense took control. Chandler Stephenson scored the first goal of 2023-24 in acrobatic fashion.
Vegas controlled the puck earlier on in the middle frame which lead to a successful breakaway for Ivan Barbashev. Brayden McNabb found Barbashev up the middle with a successful seam for VGK’s third goal of the game. The Golden Knights successfully killed off two penalties to hold on to their 3-1 edge.
Seattle put on the pressure early in the final period but Adin Hill stood tall in net. The Golden Knights fought off a crucial five minute penalty preserving their two-goal lead. With 1:15 remaining in the game Jack Eichel iced the game with an empty-net goal.
The Golden Knights win their first game of the season 4-1 over the Kraken. Vegas will try and remain undefeated on Thursday night in San Jose. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: After an absolutely wonderful banner-raising ceremony, the Golden Knights unsurprisingly started a bit slow. It didn’t take much to turn it around though as they scored on their first two great chances and then picked up the pace in the 2nd. They then made a 3rd period 5-minute penalty kill look insanely easy. Nice win as the champs start off on the right foot. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena.
- The best moments of the banner raising opening night.
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Brayden McNabb
** Ivan Barbashev
* Adin Hill
Defending champs start their defense in style. Excellent first outing of the year.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 11, 2023
VGK are elite at killing major penalties.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 11, 2023
Adin Hill remains a Mountain.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 11, 2023
One of the most beautiful sights in the world. pic.twitter.com/HJlDp2CYNR
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 11, 2023
Pistol Pete
Tending to his own end all night and not really having pucks follow him in the OZone it was nice to see Jack rewarded with an empty netter. He makes those look easy.
Trip
1st – Knock the rust and emotions off. Score 2 goals
2nd – Happy with the head and played like it
3rd – Knuckle Down and get the win.
McNabb pass to Barbie was elite
Marchy defensive tip in was magic!
Hill was in Cup form
5 min PK, awesomeness
Other than PP missing 2 easy goals tonight was great!
Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss! Cup Runs thru Vegas!
Pistol Pete
The tic-tac-toe opening goal to Stephenson was vintage VGK.
Sorvino
Could have two forwards join the lineup next game if Carrier is injured and Howden gets suspended.
Dorofeyev and who?
Jakub Demek?
Brendan Brisson?
Grigori Denisenko?
Sheldon Rempal?
THE hockey GOD
demek was listed on opening day roster, so likely no. 16 and demek.
THE hockey GOD
outstanding STANLEY CUP BANNER and TEAM PIC, in what otherwise was a pretty cheesy, typical over the top, opening ceremony.
My friends back east were all laughing, thinking it was a comedy show. Giant
slot machine ?? Come on folks. CHEESY.
TS
I have to agree with thg… The ” gambling” theme was over the top. TOO MUCH.
Emmanuel
No love for Roy? I thought he was the best player last night!
knights fan in minny
roy was real good
TS
Trip, great comment! Don’t be a stranger!
knights fan in minny
a good way to start the season hilly was solid.a hell of a shot by barber on his goal. got a good chuckle from the dishwasher commercial
Jailbird
Great Knight! Another injury. Hope not serious. Hilly was solid.
knights fan in minny
if carrier is out move pav up to wild bills line and cotter to the fourth cots had some nice plays threw his weight around
Danny Gallivan
Hill won that game.
the d is a bit less dominant without Marty and Whitecloud. they struggled to get the puck out of their own zone too often. and 27 looked like he was in the first day of training camp, repeatedly fanning on passes and fumbling the puck.
however, they have established a winning aura, a winning comeback attitude that carries them over the top in close games, and wears down the opponents.
losing Carrier, and possibly Howden, hurts the forecheck game they play so well
THE hockey GOD
VGK were lucky that the KRACKEN’s timing was way off, they could easily have netted 7 or 8 goals. The won’t miss so many later on in the season if VGK doesn’t pick up their game.
JV
Eichel had 3 Blocks, tied with McNabb.
knights fan in minny
2 games for howdy time for the depth to step up
hdbiker7851
Does no one have any feeling concerning the hit Howden put on the Seattle player? Maybe I wasn’t watching as close as I should have but it appeared to me the Seattle guy put his head to the side prior to Howden hit which didn’t appear to be anything other than a solid body check and no way targeting. I might be wrong but that is my two cents – apparently refs thought differently. Did the Seattle player come back I didn’t notice. It was a strong start to the season after a little slow start to begin with. Good win – Hill stood tall and kept them in the game.
knights fan in minny
good point but i think they’re going to call. Most of the time when the melon is involved. Time for the depth to show us a thing or two.
Frank
It was absolutely not an intentional head shot…. It was a hockey play turned bad as Tanev had his head down and turned into the check head first…. However, the way it turned out – they had to call it. The resulting suspension was inevitable…. NHL is very sensitive when it comes to hits around the head area…. Want to see a head shot – see the Scott Stevens hit on Paul Kariya of the ducks in 03 SCF…. hard to believe Paul actually came back in that game and scored! Different era of hockey…. But I digress
Jose
Brett Howden has been suspended for two games. Apparently Rondbjerg will draw into the lineup.