Ask and you shall receive! Both ahead Coach Pete DeBoer and the Vegas Golden Knights defensemen were hoping for more production from the blue line. Vegas got a total of zero goals out of their defensemen through their first three games. That’s not what they had in mind.
Another thing they didn’t have in mind was trailing each of the past two games. They really had to steal the second game against Anaheim and in Monday’s game against the Coyotes, they found themselves down two goals to start the game. The team wanted a better start and they got it in this one.
Vegas jumped out to a 3-0 lead, with two early goals by defensemen, more on the later. Up 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game was definitely a marked improvement over the last two starts and even better than their two goal explosion in the opener that the Ducks quickly matched. Mark Stone went on to add a third goal mid-way through the second period putting Vegas firmly in the driver’s seat.
With the acquisitions of Alec Martinez last season and Alex Pietrangelo this offseason, the Golden Knights shaped their defense into a formidable group in the offensive zone. When combined with the immensely talented Shea Theodore, Nic Hague and his booming shot, and Zach Whitecloud who is becoming a terrific two-way defenseman, the Golden Knights have a ton of scoring options on the back end.
Their three-game cold streak came to a screeching halt on Wednesday evening, as the defense erupted for three goals (2-Theodore, 1-Pietrangelo) and three assists. Pietrangelo and Theodore showed off exactly how dangerous they are, accounting for five of those six points (Hague had the other assist). Their contribution was a huge reason the Golden Knights were able to win the contest, by a score of 5-2.
Fans and Pietrangelo himself were hoping to see his offensive prowess sooner rather than later and they got just what they wanted in that regard. Petro wasted no time jumping on a loose puck and firing the angle drive through a a shockingly leaky Darcy Kuemper. His first goal came 1:15 after Theodore’s clapper, giving the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead.
Another achievement coming out of the Wednesday night tilt was the first NHL point recorded by Keegan Kolesar. Kolesar was pushed up to the third line with Alex Tuch and Nic Roy and the trio flourished. It took him four games this season - five total - to collect his first NHL point. Big moment for the big guy.
In addition to the quick lead, some added defensive production, Pietrangelo’s first goal, and Kolesar’s first NHL point, they also got a goal on the Power Play for the first time this season. Not only were they open about wanting the Power Play to connect, they were vocal about wanting more Power Play opportunities. A lack of calls going their way had the team concerned. They felt they weren’t getting their fair share. William Karlsson jokingly said they should “maybe do less chirping on the bench”.
Whatever they did, it worked, just like everything else they asked for.
Arizona was flagged for seven penalties, the most of any VGK opponent this season. Clearly, the improved play of the Knights contributed to this jump in PPs. They were faster, more determined, and decisive. Mark Stone called their effort “our most complete game of the season”.
Showing off his size and speed, Tuch worked his way through the Coyote defense before making a nice move on Kuemper and sliding the puck through him. In these first four games, Tuch has really asserted himself physically and spatially, causing havoc on the forecheck and getting all over the ice. His goal put the game out of reach at 5-1 and for good measure because the Coyotes quickly answered with a goal of their own.
A 5-2 final closed the Golden Knights’ season-opening, four-game home stand. They finished a perfect 4-0-0, giving them the first 4-0-0 start in team history. Makes sense, Year Four, four-in-a-row, destiny. They’ll have two more games against the Coyotes before their toughest test of the season, a two-game home set with the St. Louis Blues.
For now, they’ll celebrate the milestones and the win, but come Friday, it’s right back to work for Captain Stone and the Golden Misfits.
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