Golden Knights Allow 4-1 Third Period Lead To Slip Away, Then Defeat Anaheim, 5-4, On Whitecloud Goal Before COVID Issues Cancel Postgame Media Availability Tuesday
By J. Tyge O’Donnell of LVSportsBiz.com
Well, there was good news for the Vegas Golden Knights. Then some bad news for the VGK. Then some good news for the Knights.
The Golden Knights built a 4-1 lead after two periods against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday. But the Knights blew the three-goal lead in the third period to the inferior-talented Anaheim Ducks, which scored three goals in the final stanza to knot the game at four.
But VGK defenseman Zach Whitecloud picked up a rebound in front of the Ducks net and fired home the game-winner late in period three to save the Golden Knights from potentially an embarrassing loss. Instead, it was a 5-4 win for VGK over the Ducks and another two points for the Knights, now 8-1-1 after 10 games.
More COVID issues: There was no post-game Zoom session. From the Knights PR staff — “Due to COVID-19 protocols, tonight’s Vegas Golden Knights postgame media availability is cancelled. We will provide additional updates when appropriate.” The Knights’ Tomas Nosek and Shea Theodore did not play in the third period, but the team did not say whether that was COVID-related.
The COVID protocol extended to Wednesday. This from the team: “The Golden Knights will not hold practice and will not hold a media availability on Wednesday, February 10.”
It started well for the Golden Knights with Chandler Stephenson and his speed. It’s a good combination.
The Vegas Golden Knights center, who is flanked by high-scoring wingers Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty on the Knights’ top line, opened the scoring for the Vegas Golden Knights against the visiting Anaheim Ducks to give the VGK a 1-0 lead. Tuesday evening at the Big Ice House by the Strip.
Later in period one, it was Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault credited with a goal after a puck bounced off his skate and into the goal for a 2-0 lead on a night dominated by chatter about the red VGK reverse retro sweaters.
Two goals and a fight. That’s where Ryan Reaves came in. Reaves fought Nicolas Deslauriers.
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VGK goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who dominated Anaheim, looked sharp in his red retro jersey and gold leg pads. He’s 5-0 so far to open this 56-game pandemic season.
With fans not generating income for the franchise because of no attendance at T-Mobile Arena, the Golden Knights hope to generate sales through the pitching of the new gold and reverse retro red jerseys.
“The highlight of my week has been coming in every morning and seeing what color tracksuit we’re wearing today,” VGK coach Pete DeBoer said earlier Tuesday.
DeBoer was in quarantine because of COVID protocol and, in other COVID news, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is off the NHL’s COVID protocol list. He’s expected to play Thursday when the Knights host Anaheim in the second game of the two game-set in Las Vegas.
Also on the power play: The Knights started slow on power play goal-scoring this season, but have registered power play goals in three consecutive games.
In period two, VGK forward Alex Tuch scored to give the Knights a 3-0 lead.
Anaheim answered 59 seconds later with a goal and it was 3-1 midway through the second period.
Nic Roy notched his first goal of the season late in the period to inflate the Knights’ edge to 4-1.
From the NHL:
