The Vegas Golden Knights fell to the Winnipeg Jets in overtime by a score of 5-4 after a shot from Kyle Connor managed to beat Laurent Brossoit. The Golden Knights sent the game to overtime with a goal from Mattias Janmark with only eight seconds left in the third period. It was Janmark’s second goal of the period as he singlehandedly erased a two-goal deficit.
The Golden Knights got out to a hot start as they led this game 2-0 after the first twenty minutes. However, the Jets would come storming back to tie the game with two second period goals that were scored just 20 seconds apart. This game featured plenty of lead changes in what was a very entertaining battle.
The Jets hadn’t played a hockey game since December 19th because of postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite that, they didn’t look rusty as they still managed to score five goals and fought their way back into this game.
Vegas Golden Knights suffer from lapses in focus
The Vegas Golden Knights shot themselves in the foot a bit in this contest with a few lapses in focus that led to goals against. Despite allowing five goals, Laurent Brossoit didn’t have too bad of a game. In fact, he made several key saves that helped the Golden Knights secure one point.
However, there were defensive breakdowns that were out of character for the Golden Knights. Usually they do a much better job at shutting things down, especially when they have a lead, but today they fell apart. The two goals allowed in 20 seconds was especially bad.
“If you get four on [Connor] Hellybuyck you should find a way to win the game.” said head coach Peter DeBoer after the game.
Vegas Golden Knights depth shines through
The Golden Knights depth really shown through this game. Janmark had two crucial goals late in the game that helped the Golden Knights secure the overtime point. That line has been the team’s best through these past few games where they’ve been without their stars.
“Janny [Janmark] and Nic Roy have really played well for long stretches here,” said DeBoer, “and I think Koley [Keegan Kolesar] is starting to find his game again.”
Those three players are being forced into outsized roles right now with the Golden Knights injuries and they’ve done a solid job at providing more scoring that usual.
Golden Knights magical streak comes to an end
The Golden Knights had one of the most impressive streaks as they hadn’t lost an overtime game since December of 2019. That game was against the Vancouver Canucks and was over two years ago, when both teams had different rosters than today.
In those two years, the Golden Knights showed an inability to lose games that went to overtime. They were the only team this season that hadn’t lost a game past regulation before the result today. This crazy streak finally comes to an end for the Golden Knights.
The Vegas Golden Knights play their next game on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The puck drops for that game at 7 PM Pacific Time.