On Wednesday, the Vegas Golden Knights (16-6-10) returned home to host the New Jersey Devils (19-14-1). They allowed the first goal in the second period and spent the rest of the night chasing the game. Pavel Dorofeyev potted the equalizer on a late power play, but the Golden Knights fell 2-1 to the Devils in a shootout.
As the more-rested team, the Golden Knights were rusty in the first period. They outshot the Devils 10-8, but the Devils generated 11 scoring chances to Vegas’ seven. However, the VGK escaped unscathed and entered the first intermission tied at zero.
The Devils struck first, scoring 4:50 into the second period. Pressured by Connor Brown, Noah Hanifin turned the puck over deep in the defensive zone. Brown corralled the puck, drove the net, and stuffed the puck in around Carter Hart’s outstretched pad.
The Golden Knights responded well and controlled the remainder of the period. They outshot the Devils 15-12 in the second and generated eight high-danger chances to New Jersey’s five.
Despite being outshot and out-chanced in the third period, the Golden Knights played well. Finally, they solved Allen with 4:11 remaining in the third period on a late power play. After a scramble, Mark Stone got to a loose puck in front of the Devils’ net. He found Pavel Dorofeyev all alone in the right circle, and Dorofeyev slammed it home.
Immediately after tying the game, however, the Golden Knights fell asleep at the wheel. Their defensive zone coverage evaporated, and they forced Carter Hart to bail them out with a few Grade-A saves.
In overtime, both teams had their looks. Mark Stone drew a hooking penalty, but the Golden Knights failed to capitalize on their 4-on-3 power play.
In the shootout, Jake Allen stopped all three Golden Knights shooters. Jesper Bratt was the lone shooter to beat Carter Hart, and the Devils handed the Golden Knights a 2-1 overtime loss.
7 Golden Knights Observations
1. The Golden Knights allowed the first goal for the 17th time this season. After tonight’s overtime loss, they have a record of 6-5-7 when allowing the first goal.
2. The Golden Knights took the ice tonight without two key players: Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore. Per head coach Bruce Cassidy, Eichel has an illness; Theodore has an upper-body injury. Both are considered day-to-day.
3. This was a slow, sleepy game where both teams went through stretches of sloppy play. However, both goaltenders were fantastic. Jake Allen finished his night with 37 saves on 38 shots, a save percentage of .973, and a 3.71 GSAx. Carter Hart finished the game with 32 saves on 33 shots, a save percentage of .970, and a 2.51 GSAx.
4. William Karlsson’s absence was felt tonight, badly. With Karlsson and Jack Eichel both out, they had Reilly Smith and Mitch Marner playing center.
5. The Golden Knights should be thankful that Eichel is sick and not injured. If he misses any real time, it’s bad news for their 5-on-5 game and especially the power play. Braedan Bowman started the night on the first power play unit, but Bruce Cassidy swapped him for Noah Hanifin after two failed opportunities.
6. The record for the most overtime losses in a single season is 18, shared by the 2008-08 Florida Panthers, 2011-12 Tampa Bay Lightning, 2013-14 New Jersey Devils, and 2014-15 Philadelphia Flyers. The Golden Knights have gone past regulation 14 times in just 32 games. They’ve also lost 10 of them.
7. There’s no real reason to worry, because the Golden Knights are racking up OTL points like it’s nobody’s business. However, they have a record of 16-6-10. However, you slice it, they’ve won 16 games and lost 16. That’s probably not a sign of great things to come.
