By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
In the last game in Las Vegas before the Golden Knights head north in Nevada for the NHL outdoor game, the Colorado Avalanche controlled most of the play in the first period Tuesday evening and led, 1-0, after the first 20 minutes.
The Avs’ superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon scored from the slot area to beat fellow number 29, VGK goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Golden Knights were back in their shiny, chrome gold helmets that they wore when they lost, 1-0, to the Anaheim Ducks on home ice five days ago.
The Knights were outshot, 9-7, by Colorado, which enjoyed three VGK penalties and six minutes of power play action in the first period.
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Meanwhile, the NHL has already started building the outdoor rink on the 18th hole of the golf course at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, where the Golden Knights will be the visiting team when they play the Avs in the third of four consecutive games. Here are some NHL photos from the scene.
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The Knights came out stronger in period two, applying more pressure on the Avs after Colorado dictated most of the flow in period one. Forwards Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch played well in the first period, but the Knights needed to step up the intensity to match Colorado’s.
Marc-Andre Fleury started again in goal for the Golden Knights, which were minus goalie Robin Lehner. Fleury just came off the NHL’s Second Star of the week award and has been playing all-star quality hockey this season.
In goal for Colorado was Philipp Grubauer, who played rock-solid through two periods.
VGK forward William Carrier drew a tripping penalty and Max Pacioretty made Colorado pay for that penalty with a PP goal (his eighth) off a nice feed from defenseman Shea Theodore, who returned to action after missing games with an injury.
But only 63 seconds later, Colorado’s Brandon Saad slipped a puck past Fleury and the Avs took a 2-1 lead into the intermission between the second and third periods.
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In period three, the Golden Knights nearly scored when William Karlsson swept in on Grubauer, but he was denied.
But soon later, Jonathan Marchessault flipped in a backhander from in front with assists from Karlsson and Smith.
Mid-way through the final stanza, it was Colorado and Vegas tied at two.
The game looked like it might be heading to overtime. But Colorado clogged the ice in front of Fleury and Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri chipped in a short goal over Fleury with less than 40 seconds left in period three and the Avalanche came away with a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.
VGK outshot the Avs, 29-24, for the game, which had a playoff-like feel.
The Golden Knights’ next home game will be Monday March 1. VGK is 10-3-1, while Colorado improved to 8-4-1.
And who knows, there might just be fans back here at T-Mobile Arena.
Tuesday’s NHL results:
And division leaders based on highest points percentage: