Another game, another win for the Vegas Golden Knights. On Wednesday evening, the Golden Knights were victorious over the New York Islanders, by a score of 3-2. Five different players scored goals in the back-and-forth contest. Vegas got a quick power play goal from Jonathan Marchessault, just :34 into the game, taking a 1-0 lead on Marchessault's 12th of the season. Anthony Beauvillier (9) tied the game for New York before the first period ended and Adam Pelech (3) connected on a big wrist shot in the second for a 2-1 lead. Both plays were driven by the young, dynamic, defending Rookie of the Year, Matthew Barzal. From that point, Vegas was able to keep New York off the scoreboard, eventually taking the lead and winning the game. Let's take a look at the good and the bad from the contest.
The Good:
* Vegas' 3rd Line Chipped In
Tomas Nosek, USA Today Sports
With the score tied 2-2 early in the third, a Ryan Carpenter forecheck helped force a turnover, deep in the Islander zone. Islander defenseman Ryan Pulock coughed up the puck and Carpenter slid a short pass to Oscar Lindberg at the circle. Lindberg's quick shot was stopped by Robin Lehner, but he left a rebound out front. The puck was then worked loose by an aggressive Tomas Nosek, as Nosek lifted the stick of defenseman Thomas Hickey and buried the put-back, for his third goal of the season. Vegas hasn't gotten much 5-on-5 production out of their third line and this game-winner was a welcome sight.
* William Karlsson is Heating Up
William Karlsson, USA Today Sports
Karlsson tied the game at two with 3:29 left in the second period. The goal was his 11th of the season, good for second on the team. He was given time and space in the offensive zone and he didn't waste the opportunity. Karlsson walked the puck down to the faceoff circle to Lehner's left and whipped a wrist shot past him, off the short-side post and in. Karlsson taking and subsequently burying those kinds of shots is pivotal for the Golden Knights. While he has been solid this season, the Golden Knights could use more of his 2017-18 goal scoring touch.
* VGK Has Won Nine of their last 11 Games
Following a 7-2 disaster against the Calgary Flames on November 19th, the Golden Knights have been white hot. Wednesday's win against the Islanders marked their ninth since the Flames game, which was quite possibly their worst overall performance of the season. Finding themselves in last place in the Pacific Division seemingly lit a fire under their collective ass.
The Bad:
* Vegas was Uncharacteristically Outplayed
The Golden Knights are advanced metrics darlings. They get a lot of pucks on net and generate a ton of shot attempts each game. Wednesday night in NY, the Golden Knights went back to playing on the perimeter far too often. A high percentage of their shots were from the outside and not awfully threatening. With a season Corsi For % of 54.8%, good for second in the NHL, Vegas is known for zone time and shot creation. That has not always resulted in big scoring totals, but shows how much zone time and pressure the Golden Knights generate. Vegas typically out-shoots and out-chances their opponents, even in losses, but on Wednesday, that was not the case. The Golden Knights were dominated by the Islanders in all metrics. Despite losing the numbers battle. the one spot Vegas reigned supreme was the place that matters most, the scoreboard. Below you will find the advanced stats from Wednesday's game.
Corsi For%: 51.2% - 48.8%
Scoring Chances For%: 54.8% - 45.2%
High Danger Chances For%: 80% - 20%
By all accounts, the Islanders generated the most chances and the most dangerous of the scoring chances, but Vegas was able to escape with the win. Marc-Andre Fleury made numerous big saves to keep the Golden Knights in the game. He is a big reason they won the game and a key to their recent hot streak.
* Marc-Andre Fleury Started.....Again
Malcolm Subban has not played since the Calgary disaster on November 18th. Fleury has started every one of Vegas' 11 games since then. Wednesday night's contest was his 766th career regular season game. He isn't getting any younger and probably shouldn't be given 11 straight starts, considering the mileage on his body and injury history.
Marc-Andre Fleury, USA Today Sports
Additionally, what does this mean for Subban? One could only imagine his thought process. His team hung him out to dry in Calgary and he allowed seven goals. Out of the seven, there MAY have been one he should have stopped. This guy has been sitting on the bench since then, so you'd have to wonder about his readiness and confidence once he does get a chance to play. If Gerard Gallant continues to ride Fleury this hard, an injury could come, and who knows if Subban will be sharp enough to win games at that point. I have serious concerns regarding goaltender management in Vegas. Multiple reports have suggested that Fleury has a big hand in deciding his own playing time, but there will soon come a point when Vegas needs to rest their prized jewel. For now, riding the hot hand of Fleury is beneficial, but at what cost?
Vegas' second game on their current, four-game road trip comes on Friday evening in New Jersey. Puck drop will be 4pm Pacific time. The Devils currently sit in last place in the Metropolitan Division. If there was ever a time to play your backup, it would be Friday.
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