Golden Knights Win Wild Game Against Panthers in a Shootout Before 18,281
By ALAN SNEL
LVSportsBiz.com
LVSportsBiz.com photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
It was a back-and-forth rollercoaster win for the Golden Knights Thursday — much like most of the season.
Before another typical sellout of 18,281 fans, the Golden Knights squeezed out two points from a wild-and-wooly shootout win over the Florida Panthers, 6-5. The Knights have 73 points for third place in the Pacific Division, six points ahead of the hard-charging Arizona Coyotes.
Young 23-year-old defenseman Shea Theodore, putting on a skating clinic through most of the game, scored the sole shootout goal, flipping a backhander high into the goal behind 39-year-old Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo.
The Golden Knights received two goals from forward Reilly Smith, his 11th and 12th goals of season two.
And even VGK defensemen Jon Merrill and Colin Miller — paired together — each scored a goal.
An offsides call negated a Max Pacioretty goal, but new linemate Mark Stone had already given Pacioretty a hug and couldn’t believe the goal was called off.
Miller talked about the emergence of his defensive partner, Merrill, who is a selfless competitor who is chipping in with assists and even a few goals.
Check out Theodore’s postgame comments.
VGK forward Paul Stastny added these comments at his locker.
The Golden Knights play the Anaheim Ducks in Southern California Friday night before returning for a Sunday 1 p.m. game against the Canucks at T-Mobile Arena.
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