Do not go on Twitter. Don't do it! Take my word for it, put your phone down, and step away slowly. Vegas social media circles exploded following the Golden Knights' 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday evening. It was truly discouraging seeing the comments and "analysis" from the VGK faithful.
With no regard to how the score became 5-2, many fans were quick to throw Lehner under the bus. When Fleury gets toasted, the defense is held accountable, but how about when the shoe is on the other foot? No way José.
Just as Fleury's agent depicted his goaltender getting stabbed in the back by Pete DeBoer, Lehner, the guy who outperformed Fleury, is being stabbed by many fans. By the numbers and the eye test, Lehner won the starting job. Despite the four goals he allowed, Lehner played an acceptable game.
Marc-Andre Fleury's agent posts image implying Knights coach Peter DeBoer stabbed his client in the back. https://t.co/08zvLl1fmR pic.twitter.com/JhqaIVwysg
Below you'll get to see all five goals scored and a breakdown of the play at hand. It's time to see if Lehner is truly at fault for the end result. This is extremely necessary in light of these types of Twitter bashings.
Terrible Attempt at Click Bait Humor:
Robin Lehner has an .813 save percentage in this game. That's how you get a new sword in Vegas.
Not Athletic Enough?
What is Lehner's body fat % at?
Analysis?
One thing I noticed is lehner just looks like a big fat gaolie with huge pads. Pucks just hit him so makes saves but isn't really a good goalie. He's the Goldberg of the nhl. Nucks should even challenge Chest protector size, no way it's legal.
Goal 1: Tyler Toffoli (1), 1:29 1st pd
https://t.co/zO5zF9gRXQ
The Real Culprits: Shea Theodore, the referee, and Alec Martinez.
The Rundown:
Elias Pettersson, the speedy 21-year-old center for the Vancouver Canucks used his wheels to create this goal. He was able to beat Theodore to the edge, heading behind the net. Inexplicably, a referee provided enough of a pick to slow Theodore, giving Pettersson even more separation.
With Theodore draped on Pettersson, Martinez got caught watching the puck and left his man alone on the back door. Pettersson fired a perfect pass to Toffoli, through Martinez, to open the scoring. It was Toffoli's first game AND shift back in the lineup.
Goal 2: Bo Horvat (7), PPG, 10:59 1st pd
https://t.co/EfBrYf7ZOJ
The Real Culprit: Brayden McNabb
The Rundown:
Vancouver has a strong Power Play unit and showed it off here. With Zach Whitecloud and McNabb on the ice, arguably Vegas' two best stay-at-home defensemen, the PP struck. McNabb drifted too high to watch the puck carrier Pettersson. He then lost track of Toffoli who set up below the goal line.
By the time McNabb reacted to a pass low to Toffoli, Horvat was getting lower in the slot, for the eventual centering pass. Toffoli hit him perfectly, just out of the reach of Whitecloud, who had to stand his ground, accounting for JT Miller on the side wall. It was a great passing play and Lehner had little time to react to the centering pass.
Goal 3: Elias Pettersson (5), 18:35 2nd pd
https://t.co/mk8r202wvj
The Real Culprits: Mark Stone, Brayden McNabb
The Rundown:
Surprisingly, Mark Stone is one of the players that can be looked at on the play. Toffoli had the puck near the blue line, spun away from Stone, and dished it off to Alex Edler. Stone then spun to Edler and didn't clock the passing lane to Pettersson in time.
Although there were four Golden Knights between Pettersson and Edler, the pass got through. Pettersson snuck behind McNabb and found himself one-on-one with Lehner. The dynamic phenom put a filthy deke on the goaltender and scored. Lehner may still be looking for his jock strap. He was completely hung out to dry.
Goal 4: Bo Horvat (8), :18 3rd pd
https://t.co/o0vy7ouzVW
The Real Culprits: Nate Schmidt, Brayden McNabb
The Rundown:
Another minus for McNabb. Down 3-1 and looking to get back in the game, the Golden Knights got a little too aggressive chasing the puck. Two Canucks were left behind the defense and easily scored when Edler chipped a shot through the whole VGK lineup, to them.
Brock Boeser received the bouncing puck, made a slick touch pass behind him to Horvat, and the Canucks had another goal just 18 seconds into the do-or-die period. This was a huge defensive breakdown and while a forward could have circled back to cover, both defensemen can't follow the puck out of position.
Goal 5: Tanner Pearson (4), 19:30 3rd pd
https://t.co/uR65PdfQEM
The Real Culprit: The first four goals.
The Rundown:
With no other option left, the Golden Knights had Lehner pulled for the extra attacker. With only one man high, Pearson was able to chase down a zone clear and seal the game with 30 seconds left on the clock. Theodore tried, but failed to disrupt the clearing attempt and when he was caught, Pearson was off to the races. Good on Stone for not getting a hack on Pearson or breaking his stick.
After being dominated in Game One, the Canucks showed why they're still around. They're a young, resilient, and skilled team that can be a tough out for anyone. The Vegas defense did not play well enough to win this game and the Canucks seemed to want it more. It also didn't help that the Lehner/Fleury saga was still fresh news.
A steamy goalie controversy could cripple a hockey club. Think of a QB controversy in football, they're never pretty. Unfortunately, since his arrival and especially during the playoffs, a large portion of the fan base was itching for an opportunity to roast Robin Lehner. Nobody should play in favor of their lord and savior, Marc-Andre Fleury.
Fleury was usurped by Lehner and due the three-year PR promotion of Fleury as the face of the franchise, the general fanbase spiraled into uproar. The fact that Lehner outperformed the fan favorite does not resonate with a large portion of this fan base. It's Fleury or bust, despite the obvious examples of Lehner having no shot at many of the goals in Game Two.
In Las Vegas, Fleury can do no wrong. If he went to rob a bank, eye witnesses in Golden Knights jerseys would probably blame Malcolm Subban. The man can do no wrong. He has earned an extent of this treatment by carrying the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup final, waiving his No Movement Clause to do so, and his general track record.
Let's not forget something very important, it's not the first time he's been surpassed due to declining production. Fleury was benched for Matt Murray in Pittsburgh and that may have something to do with his agent's need to stir up controversy this time around. What it means moving forward is a mystery, but for now Lehner is and should be the go-to goalie.
For as fun as Game One was, Game Two was the eraser. It was a long 60 minutes for the VGK and Game Three just became that much more important. It's clear to see that both teams can dominate on any given night. Who will come out faster in Game Three may very well decide the game and in turn, the series.
"We have to do a better job of being ready from the start.
- Robin Lehner
You catch me on Twitter to stay up-to-date on your VGK news. If any player come up "Unfit to Play" you'll find it there!
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
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