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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
Just the facts: New York Rangers 5 Vegas Golden Knights 1
Story line: Slow start for VGK in first game back after road trip. VGK goalie Logan Thompson did the best he could and played well in period one when the Rangers outshot VGK, 15-5. Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko, Mika Zibanejad (2), Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere scored New York’s five goals as Rangers blasted VGK with four goals in the third period.
VGK goal scorers: Jonathan Marchessault with his 11th off a gorgeous feed from Chandler Stephenson in period two that tied the game at 1-1.
Stat news: VGK dropped to 7-6 at the Big Ice House by the Strip, starting 5-1 at home but then going 2-5 since.
Attendance: 17,939
Key missing players: Top offensive player Jack Eichel (did not skate today) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, best puck-clearing player.
Quote of the game: “Not a mature team tonight,” VGK coach Bruce Cassidy said after the loss, noting his team specifically game planned to stop Zibanejad from blasting those shots from the circle and failed to execute on that.
Another return: Gerard Gallant, the Knights’ first coach, returned back for the second time to Vegas after the Knights won, 5-1, in January during last season.
Good news for Las Vegas: UNLV 77 Hawaii 62 and Runnin’ Rebels are 9-0 heading into Saturday’s game against Washington State at MGM Grand Garden Arena.