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The Knightly Recap: Week 7

Andre ParaisoBy Updated:6 Mins Read

Last week on the Knightly Recap, the Vegas Golden Knights finished off the first three games of the four game set against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche won the last two games including the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe match. Last week’s Knightly Recap was also broken down into two parts: Part 1. Part 2.

This week on the Knightly Recap, the Golden Knights and Avalanche finish off their four game set in Colorado. Also, the Golden Knights will have one more road game against the Anaheim Ducks. Vegas was originally scheduled to play three road games this week but a San Jose Sharks player was put onto the league’s COVID-19 Protocol List. More about this news in a bit.

With that said, welcome to week seven of the Knightly Recap.

Feb. 22 at Colorado Avalanche

Changing Up the Lines

After the Lake Tahoe game, Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer decided to change up the lines for this game. He felt like he wasn’t getting the same production from the beginning of the season when the Golden Knights won their first four games. DeBoer changed up both the forward and defensive lines and this move helped this team win the game.

Defense Is the Name of the Game

The one detail that the Golden Knights did very well in this game was containing Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon’s speed. In the last two games, MacKinnon scored one goal and had many scoring chances. Also, MacKinnon was able to move the puck around to open teammates for opportunistic scoring chances.

However, it would be Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch that would be able to slow down MacKinnon every time both players were on the ice. Overall, the Golden Knights’ defense played a key role in this game forcing the Avalanche to play a much more physical game than they’re used to.

Taco Tuesday Became Taco Monday With a Side of Marchessauce

The Golden Knights usually have trouble scoring goals during the second period. However, this season proves that statement wrong as they continue to score goals at times during the second period. And this game proved that to be true.

Tuch and forward Jonathan Marchessault scored all three Vegas goals with Tuch scoring two of them. Tuch has now scored three goals in the last three games which brings good signs to this team in terms of Tuch’s confidence.

These are definitely two goal scorers that the Golden Knights want to get going heading into the halfway mark of the season. Also, all of the three goals came off of the rush which is a staple part of the Golden Knights’ game plan every game.

Fleury.

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury continues to shine as he recorded his 100th win with the team. Fleury also becomes the 15th goalie in NHL history to have at least 100 wins with two different franchises. There’s no doubt that Fleury has been the most consistent player for the Golden Knights this season as his fellow goaltender, Robin Lehner, continues to recover from an upper-body injury.

One save that kept the Avalanche from shifting the momentum in this game was against Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri during the first period. Before that save, the Avalanche were starting to build momentum going into the second period.

At the end of the game, Fleury recorded his 64th career shutout and his third of the season.

Feb. 25 at San Jose Sharks

COVID-19 Strikes Again

As mentioned earlier, a Sharks player entered into the league’s COVID-19 Protocol List and this game was postponed to a later date. The Sharks also closed down it’s facilities the day of. This gave Vegas time to make a quick stop home before going to Anaheim to face the Ducks for the fifth time in two months.

Feb. 27 at Anaheim Ducks

Another Close Battle

This game had everything from excitement to nervousness in a span of almost three hours. What makes this matchup interesting is how both teams are skilled defensively. The Ducks only held the Golden Knights to 27 total shots and single digit shot numbers in all three periods plus overtime.

Also, the scoring in this game was back and forth just the way any entertaining game should be. The Ducks scored first from forward Rickard Rakell followed by Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo during the first period. 

During the second period, Golden Knights forward William Karlsson scored a highlight reel goal as he pushed his way through three Ducks players. To finish, Ducks forward Adam Henrique scored his fourth goal of the season in the third to tie the game at two before heading into overtime.

Working Overtime Again Against the Ducks

If this game wasn’t entertaining enough, this overtime period was a must watch for any hockey fan. In just the first minute of overtime, the Ducks had four scoring chances with two of them being really close to winning the game. Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom was open on the low slot but Fleury made the save with his right pad. The puck was still loose and Lundestrom got to it before Fleury made yet another highlight reel save this season. Fleury was able to push to his right to make another right pad save to keep the Golden Knights in the game.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-36jTuZQJqw?start=428]

The Golden Knights would have scoring chances of their own from Tuch, forward Max Pacioretty and defenseman Shea Theodore before Ducks goaltender John Gibson made the saves. Fleury made one last save before Karlsson scored the game winning goal and his fifth of the season.

Up Next on the Knightly Recap

On the next Knightly Recap, the Golden Knights welcome back fans to the Fortress at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The Nevada government are now allowing big venues to hold 15% capacity. For T-Mobile Arena, that’s 2,600 people allowed in the stands. And with the fans coming back, the Golden Knights can now draw energy from the limited capacity crowd.

The Golden Knights will play two quick home games against the Minnesota Wild before heading back on the road. Also, the Golden Knights will have their first back-to-back games of the season while on the road against the San Jose Sharks.

Until then, stay tuned for the next Knightly Recap.

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