Recap: The Golden Knights blitzed the San Jose Sharks in the opening period of their holiday homestand. Brett Howden opened the scoring and then was followed by goals from Mitch Marner, Colton Sissons, Tomas Hertl, and Mark Stone. Vegas held a massive 5-0 advantage at the end of the 1st period.
San Jose broke the shutout with a goal by Macklin Celebrini. Vegas got it back though late in the frame with a Reilly Smith one-timer.
The teams skated the game out with Marner adding a second to give the Golden Knights their first 7-goal game of the season.
The Golden Knights’ record improves to 17-8-10 after beating the Sharks 7-2. Next up is a date with the best team in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche, on Saturday. Puck drop is at 7 PM. (Recap by Ken)
Analysis: When the Golden Knights need a get-right game, there’s no better opponent to come to T-Mobile Arena than the San Jose Sharks. San Jose put forth the worst defensive period in the history of the building and the Golden Knights capitalized on it over and over and over again with rush chances off careless turnovers. VGK scored 5 goals in the 1st period and the game was over after 20 minutes. (Analysis by Ken)
Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena.
- Happy Holidays
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Tomas Hertl
** Mitch Marner
* Mark Stone
https://twitter.com/SinBinVegas/status/2003675486745165943′
vgk21
Proof that the tough love approach is what they needed. You can be sure that someone from the front office delivered a stern message to the team, a verbal kick in the ass…… to go along with Cassidy’s “just frickin own it”.
and notice that the sleepwalk thru the first period bullshit came to an end too.
It was proof that they were not playing up to their capabilities, and needed a wake up call.
congrats Knights. now let’s play with that same 60 minute intensity and hockey smarts every night. cuz Avs and Minny are a tougher test.
Let’s go Knights
Pistol Pete
No slow start no problem no Eichel no Theodore. No lack of depth scoring against a much improved team.
Marner skeptics take notice worth every penny of 12 mil. Did anybody really doubt he would eventually record his first VGK multi-goal game? Can anybody say hat trick in the mail?
Back atop the division with two games in hand on ANA and three on EDM. Those rescue the game loser points really add up!
Great performance and result to carry into the holiday break.
Anybody ready to see what this team can do against two of the best teams in the league?
Pistol Pete
Did I forget to mention Marner landed 5 shots tied with Pav for most in the game? As I have pointed out many times his career shots/game is above average not surprising for a guy who is #9 among active players in points/game.
1731/692 =2.501 shots/game. This is higher than Hertl and Stone for example.
If I am not mistaken Mitch now leads the group +/- with +10 just above Korczak’s +9. Btw Korczak is why McCrimmon could let Hague walk helping him find the room for Marner.
Pistol Pete
Marner two games at center = two 5 on 5 goals
Line shuffle. Nice to see the chance for Holtz, Bowman gets two assists with Howden and Smith and might just might Saad-Sissons-Kolesar be the answer? Was tonight.
Barbashev-Marner-Stone
Dorofeyev-Hertl-Holtz
Smith-Howden-Bowman
Saad-Sissons-Kolesar
Nice juggling by Bruce.
Braeden Bowman the keeper:
20GP/5 G/8A
Pistol Pete
Waiting for a Marner skeptic to check in with “PP goal was lucky”. Fine we’ll take it. Stay in the play and good things happen.
38 pts in 35 games: 9G/29A(+10)
When Mitch Marner is on the ice good things tend to happen. Even when he plays center for about the first time in his career!
Jake
Marner is very smooth, crafty and unselfish.
Also takes pride in his defense.
Nice to have a less stressful game to watch!
Well done.
I have been listening to some Toronto podcasts and most touch on the subject but don’t say it much…that what Toronto is missing is Marner.
TS
Pp, ditto!!!! What a breakout game..FINALLY!! 1 st period Monkey off their backs at last!!
Pistol Pete
Actually TS one of the commentators noted this was his second multi-goal game so I stand corrected happily! Means four of his goals came in just two games. Only twice has he not made it to twenty goals, first his rookie season (19) and COVID (16). Doubt this will be another. Did you see when asked after the game what his Xmas wish is he said long postseason. I have been optimistic since we acquired him that he’ll play at or above his numbers in the playoffs.
Emmanuel
Sharks give up the most shots in the league but with Celebrini they are punching WAY above their weight. My guess is theyll miss the playoffs (but itll be close).
Larry
What a nice Christmas present the sharks graciously gift wrapped to the Golden Knights at the Fortress tonight.
We can all sleep a little better tonight, and enjoy the holiday festivities for a few days without a worry, enjoying the holiday with family and friends, as we here in Vegas will welcome much needed rain and our Spring Mountains will be glistening with scenic snowfall. no
Everyone please enjoy and be and stay safe!
TS
You too, larry!
TS
Just got word Fleury, at 41 yrs old, may be playing again. Several teams reportedly looking at his return, with the Oilers being one of them.
Btw, Rivers, 44 yrs old, just came out of retirement to try to save the Colts’ season–so many football injuries this season, it seems…
Emmanuel
I saw the articles, kinda shocked teams kicking the tires on Flower, theres tons of G in Europe.
TS
He wasn’t exactly at the pinnacle of his career when he retired, kinda surprised myself that teams are showing interest now.
.
JB
Nice win against the minnows. Enjoy for a few days. Big boys coming to town. Happy holidays everyone!
Jose
Have a great Christmas everyone!!!
Tim
Tuff losing Jack which looks like a long term injury which does’t bode well for the season. I think bringing up anyone from the Silver Knights that looks like a future player what better time to get them experience. With our management team and owner the future always bright. As Kenny Rodgers once song ( You Have To Know When To Hold Them And Know When To Fold Them )
Merry Christmas to everyone and to everyone a good night.
Vic
Throw out the stats from this game and don’t use this game as a measuring stick for anything. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Go VGK.
NAM
But sure is a feel good, reset my attitude to get thru the holidays, game. Merry Christmas!
knights fan in minny
Well that was a pleasant surprise Filling the net with Goals is really fun Riley Smith had a nice game Carter Hart picked up his 100th win He looks cool and calm back there in the net rarely caught out of position looks really focused Hill couldn’t make half the stops Carter makes It wouldn’t break my heart if we never see Hill in a Vegas uniform again Merry Christmas to all you Vegas hockey fans Stay positive I think Mcrimmy Has Something up his sleeve
Emmanuel
No loyalty! And this is coming from someone whos not a Hill fan……
TS
Kfim, i feel the same about Hill, at this point. He may end up playing again in Vegas, but he’ll also get HURT again, esp as long as he’s been idle, no play, no fitness. But who ELSE would want him, at this point? Would ANY team want the liability and big risk, let alone the huge contract??? We may be stuck with him, as with Lehner.
knights fan in minny
Somebody desperate might want him but Vegas will probably have to retain a whole bunch of salary