By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
With the COVID-19 virus sidelining the Colorado Avalanche until Thursday, the first place-chasing Vegas Golden Knights began cashing in on the Avs’ inactivity Friday night with a 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Golden Knights drew within two points of Colorado behind the shutout performance of VGK netminder Robin Lehner, who is playing every other game with fellow goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Knights took care of Southern California business in downtown Los Angeles with two wins against the LA Kings this week. Then tonight, the VGK traveled to the suburbs of Anaheim in Orange County, California and methodically took apart the Ducks for their fifth straight win. The Knights outshot the Ducks, 51-16.
After a scoreless first period, the Golden Knights scored a trio of goals to take a 3-0 lead after two periods.
VGK forward William Karlsson scored early in the middle stanza, cleaning up a rebound off line mate Reilly Smith’s drive to the Anaheim net and scoring an easy goal into an unguarded net.
Then it was speedy centerman Chandler Stephenson taking a gorgeous pass from line mate Mark Stone and zooming in to score to make it, 2-0, VGK.
VGK forward Nic Roy stole the puck a la Stone and scored his fourth of the season.
In period three, defenseman Brayden McNabb scored his second goal of the campaign and the Knights came away with the 4-0 win.
It was Lehner’s first shutout of the season as he improved to 10-1-2.
Here’s VGK coach Pete DeBoer on Lehner’s efforts:
The Golden Knights went to 30-11-2. Anaheim and the Knights play again Sunday at 1 PM.
Friday’s scores: