By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Vegas Golden Knights limped into St. Louis with three straight losses at T-Mobile Arena.
But a four-goal scoring outbreak in less than six minutes mid-way through the second period helped ignite the VGK to a x-x win over the Blues Monday night when most of the country was watching college basketball’s national championship game.
The VGK managed a lone goal during Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to Minnesota in Las Vegas.
But the Knights exploded for six goals during the first two periods as VGK grabbed a 6-1 lead over St. Louis.
VGK forward Tomas Nosek triggered the outburst in the first period with his sixth goal of the season at 6:25, while VGK defenseman Alec Martinez scored his first of two goals at 12:25 for a 2-0 Knights lead.
St. Louis cut into the lead when Tyler Bozak scored his second of the year with about three minutes to go in the period.
After one period: VGK 2 St. Louis 1.
*
The Golden Knights unleashed a four-goal second period as St. Louis broke down, especially in the turnover department.
In less than six minutes from 7:08 to 13:00, the Knights scored four times and assumed a commanding 6-1 lead.
Martinez scored his second, followed by goals by William Carrier, Jonathan Marchessault and Nic Hague.
The game was a homecoming for VGK defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who was a longtime defenseman for the Blues, leading St. Louis to a Stanley Cup title in 2019.
The Blues were slumping, too, with only four four wins at home this 56-game pandemic schedule.
After two periods, VGK 6 St. Louis 1
*
Knights goalie Robn Lehner, back between the pipes in his rotation with Marc-Andre Fleury, played solid.
It was his tenth game of the season as he was out of action with a concussion.
Final: Golden Knights 6 Blues 1.
The Golden Knights improved to 25-10-2. Lehner improved to 7-1-2.
The VGK victory flamingo was launched onto the ice to confirm the Golden Knights win.
Monday’s scores, including Colorado 5 Minnesota 4. The Avs are four points up on the VGK, but have played one more game.