On Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights (17-8-11) played the second of a four-game homestead against the Colorado Avalanche (28-2-7). They scored the first, took a two-goal lead, then spent the rest of the night trading goals. The Avalanche roared back from two two-goal deficits, and the Golden Knights lost 6-5 in a shootout.
When the Golden Knights hosted the Avalanche in October, they were the second-best team on the ice for 60 minutes. Then, the Avalanche opened the scoring on the first shift of the game. So, by simply not allowing a goal in the opening 41 seconds of the first tonight, the Golden Knights were already off to a better start.
The Golden Knights scored at 2:43 in the first period. Tomáš Hertl won the offensive zone draw back to Noah Hanifin, who surveyed the ice and found Alexander Holtz streaking to the net for a back-door tap-in.
Holtz’s first goal of the season seemed to encourage the Golden Knights. They were outshot by the Avalanche in the first period, but managed to hold the best team in the league to just seven shots.
The Golden Knights struck again just 34 seconds into the second period. After Nathan MacKinnon’s pass didn’t connect with Devon Toews, Ivan Barbashev raced up ice on a 2-on-1 with Mitch Marner. Barbashev’s pass was slightly behind Marner, so the temporary center went skate-to-stick and found Barbashev for an easy tap-in.
The Avalanche responded with a stretch of sustained pressure. Their efforts resulted in two fluky goals.
The Avalanche got on the board at 5:19 in the second period. Sam Malinski found his defense partner at the left dot, and Sam Girard sent a centering pass to Arturi Lehkonen, who was wrestling with Jeremy Lauzon in front of the net. The puck deflected off Lauzon and fluttered past Carter Hart.
The Avalanche found the equalizer at 10:27 in the second. Martin Nečas fired a shot on net from above the right circle, and the puck bounced off Kaedan Korczak and into the net.
The Golden Knights responded well and dominated the rest of the period. They generated eight high-danger chances to Colorado’s four and controlled 55.75% of the expected goal share.
The Golden Knights regained the lead at 11:36 in the second. Noah Hanifin intercepted Joel Kiviranta’s clearing attempt and found Alexander Holtz, who shielded the puck and found Ben Hutton for a one-timer that beat Scott Wedgewood short-side.
The Golden Knights added another just 29 seconds later. Reilly Smith sent a centering pass to Brett Howden, who deflected the puck up and over Wedgewood’s blocker.
In the third period, the Golden Knights were badly outplayed. The Avalanche can pressure their opponents in waves, and they did just that. They outshot the Golden Knights 17-6 and generated 17 scoring chances against Vegas’ 7.
The Avalanche cut the Golden Knights’ lead to one at 3:52 in the third period. Nathan MacKinnon entered the zone and found Martin Nečas above the left circle. The winger ripped it past Carter Hart far-side for his second of the night.
The Avalanche found the equalizer at 8:21 in the third. Sam Malinski ripped a one-timer from distance that squeaked through Carter Hart, and Nathan MacKinnon was there to collect the change.
The Golden Knights took the lead once again with four minutes remaining in the third. Keegan Kolesar backhanded a pass to Colton Sissons, who blew past Martin Nečas and went forehand-backhand to finish off a power move to the net.
The Avalanche pulled Wedgewood for the extra attacker with over 2:30 remaining in regulation, and it paid off. Nathan MacKinnon found Arturi Lehkonen unguarded in the slot, who slammed it home.
The Golden Knights barely touched the puck in overtime. The Avalanche outshot them 3-0 and generated six scoring chances while allowing zero. However, Carter Hart made a few incredible saves to get his team to the shootout.
In the shootout, Mitch Marner scored for the Golden Knights; Martin Nečas responded. Nathan MacKinnon scored the eventual game-winner.
