We continue with part two of this week’s Knightly Recap recapping the back-to-back series against the St. Louis Blues. Click here to go back to part one to catch up. With that said, let’s continue on with week 9 of the Knightly Recap.
March 12 at St. Louis Blues
Flower Has COVID-19? Is Lehner Here? The Latest on the Goalie “Drama”
Before the start of this game, Fleury was placed on the league’s COVID-19 Protocol List after he tested positive for the coronavirus. However, DeBoer mentioned that Fleury was able to play due to the result being a false positive during a pre-game media conference.
💻 Coach DeBoer provides updates on the team ahead of tonight’s game in St. Louis. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/5ogjA5fZL3
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 12, 2021
DeBoer also mentioned the status of Golden Knights goaltender, Robin Lehner. He says that Lehner didn’t make this road trip with the team but he’s rehabbing with the Silver Knights during their practices.
Another Highly Contested Game
If anyone knows the history of these games between both these teams, then it’s expected to know that this game will be contested from start to finish. The game was balanced with both teams shifting momentum from one side to another. However, the Golden Knights would get an early 2-0 goal advantage during the first period. Golden Knights forwards Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault were the goal scorers.
During the second period, both teams traded goals with the Blues scoring two goals to one. Golden Knights forward Tomas Nosek scored the team’s third goal. Blues forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko scored the two goals to cut the Golden Knights’ lead to one.
Third Period Chaos Part 2
Just like last game, the Golden Knights find themselves in another chaotic third period. But that’s to be expected whenever these two teams meet. The Blues took the lead in the third period after being down 3-2 at the end of the second period. Blues forwards Zach Sanford and David Perron both scored on a power play.
go to your home little puck pic.twitter.com/05qTdCOoUA
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 13, 2021
However, Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez tied the game 47 seconds after Perron’s PP goal. For the rest of the period, both teams were going head to head to try and break the tie.
Another Overtime Against the Blues
In the last four matches, both teams, once again, go into an overtime period. The Golden Knights dominate the Blues in that department with a record of 5-0-1. The last time both teams met was in Las Vegas, NV and Marchessault scored the OT game winner on a power play. This game ended in the same way except Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith scored on a power play 19 seconds before it ended.
Well hawt damn pic.twitter.com/orEA6rx6xF
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 13, 2021
March 14 at St. Louis Blues
Close Game? Not This Time.
Unlike the previous game, the Golden Knights dominated the entire game from the start. It started with Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore scoring just four minutes into the first period. Also, Marchessault recorded his 200th point as a Golden Knight as he made the assist for Theodore’s goal. He’s also the first player in Golden Knights history to reach that mark.
Marchessault’s assist on this goal marks his 200th point as a Golden Knight
FIRST player to reach that mark in franchise history#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/V3THpWUWTK
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 14, 2021
However, the Blues had their chances as the game went on especially in the final minutes of the second period. But it would be the play of Fleury that kept the Golden Knights’ lead making big saves.
Third Period Dominance
This game was pre-determined during the latter stages of the third period. Though Blues forward Sammy Blais scored the only Blues goal to make the game close with the score of 2-1. However, it would be Vegas’ second line consisting of Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Chandler Stephenson that put this game away.
Weird but it works 🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/Ut6MDfcbVs
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 14, 2021
Stone scored two goals in the period and Pacioretty scored once with Stephenson assisting on the Pacioretty goal. Tuch put the final touches scoring an empty net goal just 30 seconds before the end of the game.
Up Next on the Knightly Recap
On the next Knightly Recap, the Golden Knights go back home to an increased crowd capacity of 20 percent from the previous 15 percent. The Golden Knights will face San Jose in a two game homestand followed by a two game road trip facing the Los Angeles Kings.
The Golden Knights currently hold the top spot in the Honda West Division with 37 points. The Wild, Blues and Colorado Avalanche are just a few points behind Vegas. These next three games this week are crucial as the Golden Knights are reaching the halfway mark of their season.
Until then, stay tuned for the next Knightly Recap.
