Shea Theodore scored Vegas' second goal of the night. (USA Today Sports)
The Vegas Golden Knights picked up a big win on Sunday evening in San Jose. Part two of the back-to-back comes in Vegas, against the Colorado Avalanche.
On Sunday evening, the Vegas Golden Knights (20-13-6) traveled into some familiar enemy territory and left victorious. A solid 3-1 win over the rival San Jose Sharks (16-20-2) is a good start to a challenging back-to-back set of games before the holidays.
Malcolm Subban and Aaron Dell respectively started in goal for the Golden Knights and Sharks. The Golden Knights reinserted defenseman Jon Merrill into the lineup for this one, in Nick Holden's stead. Other than the one change, it was business as usual for the Knights, who picked up their fourth win in five games (4-0-1).
Although it's typically testy rivalry, this meeting between the Sharks and Golden Knights lacked the usual fireworks. Despite that, it was an entertaining tilt and we learned a few things, with some new discoveries and additional reinforced thoughts.
What discoveries?
What thoughts?
Well, I'm glad you asked. Here are my takeaways from game No. 39/ win No. 20:
Malcolm Subban is an NHL Goalie:
A hotly contested topic, Subban continues to prove his doubters wrong, with each start he makes. Coming into the game, Subban led all NHL goaltenders (min. 10 starts) in winning percentage for the month of December. The win on Sunday night only further solidifies that.
SUUUUUB has been stellar this season (USA Today Sports)
Subban made 37 saves on 38 shots on net, thwarting multiple (17) high danger chances. He made a handful of timely saves that kept the Golden Knights in a game that was tight down to the wire. Although the Sharks are currently bottom-feeders in the Pacific Division, they possess a ton of offensive firepower and Subban's performance must not be written off.
With the win, Subban improves to 6-5-3 with a 2.81 GAA and .910 Sv%. His numbers don't scream "stud goalie", but they are very good considering his start and the hand he's dealt, working behind a workhorse in Marc-Andre Fleury. Games like these prove that Subban needs and deserves more consistent playing time. He maintains a rhythm, Fleury maintains his body.
Aaron Dell, Starter?:
It's no secret that the Sharks starter, Martin Jones, has been mostly snakebitten by the Golden Knights. His numbers are generally underwhelming, but in games against the Golden Knights, he's particularly bad. With Head Coach Pete DeBoer out, Dell got the start against Vegas and he did an admirable job amid heavy pressure.
Dell has been arguably better than Martin Jones, with less work (USA Today Sports)
The Golden Knights' forecheck was buzzing as the offense generated high danger chances left and right. Dell was up to the task, for the most part, until they finally broke through. Games like this make you wonder why Jones is considered the starter in San Jose.
Paul Stastny Still Has It:
Stuck in an 11-game goal-scoring drought, many began to wonder just how good Stastny is. Playing with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty should be a guarantee to score more than once every 12 games, but Stastny was goalless for quite some time.
Turns out, all he needed was a "demotion" and less proven wingers to snap out of his funk. Stastny opened the scoring off a great feed from Alex Tuch, with 2:29 left in the second period. His shot was so perfect, it went in and came right back out of the net, prompting the two-way center to tuck it back into the net for good measure. He and Tuch are building solid chemistry in the absence of Cody Eakin and Cody Glass.
All variations of the third line have been dicey for the Golden Knights over the past two seasons, but it's beginning to look as if Stastny and Tuch could carry a solid line of their own. If Chandler Stephenson can maintain his current level of play, the Golden Knights could be very deep up front, gearing up for a deep playoff run.
Nic Hague is Good:
Admittedly, Hague was nervous early on in games as he cracked the NHL roster. On numerous occasions, the young defenseman would talk about his nerves and trying to get comfortable at the highest level. Those nerves are either gone or incognito because this kid looks great.
The towering d-man has been great of late (USA Today Sports)
Hague has been showing great poise in his own end, playing the left side, alongside the dynamic Shea Theodore. His decision-making has been commendable, sans one bad pass against the Sharks. His vision has been a pleasant surprise to combine with a massive slapshot.
Doing his best Pacioretty impression, Hague hit multiple posts on Sunday, with two of them coming on the same shot. The 6-foot-6 21-year-old is on the cusp of that first NHL goal and everyone can sense it. It seems the Golden Knights staff made the correct choice out of camp, although Zach Whitecloud remains an intriguing option in the AHL.
Alex Tuch is Really Good:
Heading into the contest with 99 career points, Tuch was able to get to No. 100 before the end of the Golden Knights' Father's Trip. In front of 17,015 fans, including his dad, Tuch set up the first goal of the game for the Golden Knights.
Tuch will be very good, for a very long time (USA Today Sports)
Playing below the goal line, Tuch received a pass from Valentin Zykov and found Stastny open in the slot. The rest was history and the celebration commenced for one proud papa. Tuch is the perfect blend of size, speed, and finesse. He gives the Golden Knights an exciting top-six talent for the next seven years at just a $4.75 million cap hit.
After a great game in San Jose, the Golden Knights have a quick turnaround, returning home for a grudge match with the Colorado Avalanche (22-11-3). The Avs came into Vegas on October 25 and embarrassed the Golden Knights, with recently departed Pierre-Edouard Bellemare having a large hand in the Avalanche victory. That 6-1 loss was arguably their worst performance of the season and they'll be looking for revenge Monday night.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was loved in Vegas and Philly, for that matter. (USA Today Sports)
In that loss, the Avs were without superstar winger Mikko Rantanen, and Bellemare's line stepped up in a big way. Now at full strength, provided Cale Makar rejoins the lineup, the Avalanche look to be one of the best of the west. If their goaltending holds up, the sky's the limit for Nathan MacKinnon's crew. The Golden Knights will have to dig deep for a W, playing such a talented team on the wrong side of a back-to-back, despite the two-game losing streak the Avalanche are on.
Remember you can catch me daily on the Twitter. Don't forget to look up "The Vegas Hockey Buzz" on your favorite podcast apps. Be sure to rate/review and SUBSCRIBE!
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»