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The Knightly Recap: Week 10

Andre ParaisoBy Updated:6 Mins Read

Last week on the Knightly Recap, the Vegas Golden Knights faced off against the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues to finish off their six game road trip. They lost to the Wild in both meetings 2-0 and 4-3 but bounced back in a back-to-back series against the Blues 5-4 in overtime and 5-1.

This week on the Knightly Recap, the Golden Knights continue to hold their top position in the Honda West Division as they reach the midway mark of their season. They faced off against the San Jose Sharks in a two game homestand and Los Angeles Kings to start off a short two game road trip. With that said, welcome to week ten of the Knightly Recap.

March 15 vs. San Jose Sharks

Slow Start, Strong Finish

The Golden Knights weren’t able to find their legs throughout the first period as the Sharks outshot the Knights 11-8. Also, the Sharks were able to maintain momentum as the period went along. Even though the Golden Knights were struggling, Knights forward Max Pacioretty scored the game’s first goal 8:35 into the game on a power play.

After the first period, the Golden Knights were able to take control of the game from the second period onward. Though, the Sharks were able to hold their ground defensively with the help of goaltender Devan Dubnyk. 

Knights captain Mark Stone scored in the third period just over a minute into the period. Sharks forward Timo Meier scored after Dubnyk made two crucial saves on Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault on a power play.

Fleury’s Continuous Bloom

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury continues to prove why he’s one of the best goaltenders in the league. Also, Fleury continued to make huge saves just like Dubnyk on the other side of the ice. The 36-year-old veteran made 23 saves on 24 shots and a good amount of those saves came in the first period where the Sharks were striving.

Final score: 2-1 VGK

March 17 vs. San Jose Sharks

The 3-1 Comeback: Golden Knights Edition

Background

During the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Golden Knights and Sharks faced off against each other in a seven game series in the first round. The seventh game is one of the most infamous hockey games in league history as the Sharks came back to win the game 5-4 in overtime. 

It all started when former Golden Knight Cody Eakin committed a questionable five minute penalty and ejection. The Sharks would then score three unanswered goals during their five minute penalties to come back from a 3-1 deficit. Former Shark Barclay Goodrow then scored the overtime game winning goal to help move the Sharks to the second round.

Redemption

This game ended with the same result with the exceptions of a five minute penalty and overtime period. The Sharks had a strong second period outing leading 3-1 at the end of the period. However, the Golden Knights scored four unanswered goals during the third period within a six minute span. Golden Knights players Cody Glass, Nic Hague, Ryan Reaves and Alec Martinez all scored in that time span with Martinez scoring twice plus getting the game winning goal.

Final score: 5-4 VGK

March 19 at Los Angeles Kings

Another COVID-19 Scare For the VGK

Before puck drop, Golden Knights forward William Karlsson was tested positive for COVID-19 and therefore ineligible to play. He was then placed on the league’s COVID-19 Protocol List. However, additional testing was administered and Karlsson was deemed eligible to play after having a false positive result.

Panda is Back!

After five weeks of not seeing any play, Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner returned to the ice and helped lead the team to a 4-2 victory. Lehner made 23 saves on 25 Kings shots. Also, Lehner was the backup goaltender to Marc-Andre Fleury during the win against the Sharks on Wednesday. Also back in the lineup is Golden Knights forwards Alex Tuch and Chandler Stephenson. Both players missed one game due to an undisclosed injury.

Early Patch Work

The Golden Knights had a strong first period start with Pacioretty scoring his 15th and 16th goals of the season 2:36 apart. Pacioretty also leads the team in goals with 16. The 32-year-old forward’s second goal was a bit of a delay with the Situation Room in Toronto, ON, CA reviewing the goal. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick’s caught the puck with his glove hand but the webbing on his glove showed the puck completely crossed the goal line.

Kings Trying to Dethrone the Knights

Even though the Golden Knights had a strong outing in the first period, Kings forward Alex Iafallo scored a late goal before the period ended. From there, the Kings had to keep their ground as the Golden Knights brought more pressure on both ends of the ice.

Both teams were able to gain momentum in the first 10 minutes of the second period with Kings forward Trevor Moore scoring the game tying goal. However, Karlsson came back and scored almost nine minutes after the tying goal.

Third Period Dominance

The Golden Knights continue to show dominance in the third period. However, the Kings came out of the second intermission with pressure and aggressive defense to maintain momentum throughout the period.

But Golden Knights forward William Carrier scored an insurance goal to ensure the team’s victory despite being outshot 8-6 to the Kings.

Final score: 4-2 VGK

Up Next on the Knightly Recap

The Golden Knights will face off against the Kings in this mini two game road trip before heading back home to play against the Blues the day after. The team will then go on a much needed two day break before heading back on the road to face the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are steadily creeping up on the Golden Knights in the division standings for first place.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re officially at the point of the season where teams are either maintaining their playoff spot or making a playoff spot. Until then, stay tuned for the next Knightly Recap.

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