After 7-2 Loss Thursday, Golden Knights Flip Script, Cruise By Columbus Blue Jackets, 7-2, During Sunday Matinee; Announced Attendance, 18,004
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
Only 16 hours earlier, Stevie Nicks was rocking T-Mobile Arena Saturday night.
Then the Vegas Golden Knights took care of business Sunday afternoon before another 18,000 or so fans to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets.
During the 1PM matinee, Phil Kessel scored his 12th on a power play goal in the first period and the Knights reeled off four straight goals in the second period after Columbus’ Kirill Marchenko tied the game only 37 seconds into the middle stanza.
The VGK took a 5-1 into the second intermission after second period goals by Jack Eichel (24). Pavel Dorofeyev (3), Zach Whitecloud (4) and Eichel (25).
Paul “Welcome Back” Cotter scored his 13th of the season on a nice assist by Chandler Stephenson early in period three and the VGK were cruising to the two points with a 6-1 lead.
Columbus, which entered the game with a 21-40-7 record for 49 points after 68 games, inserted former Vegas Golden Knights organization goalie Michael Hutchinson into the game after the Knights opened up the big lead in the second period.
Eichel also scored in the final period to complete the hat trick — his second of the season after his triple of goals in Buffalo earlier this season.
VGK goalie Jiri Patera, playing in his first home game start, was solid, stopping 35 of 37 shots for the W.
The Knights improved to 43-21-6 for 92 points as they stay ahead of the LA Kings, which have 90 points.
Johnny Gaudreau added his 18th goal with about two minutes left in the game to finalize the score: Golden Knights 7 Blue Jackets 2.
Alex Pietrangelo added four assists.
VGK coach Bruce Cassidy said as injured goalies like Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit recover, they will need games to get sharp for the playoffs that begin in April.
Cassidy acknowledged there might not be enough playing time to go around with veteran Jonathan Quick and Patera on the roster, too. And don’t forget Adin Hill, who was playing superbly when he was injured.
Even with all the goalies he has played with, defenseman Whitecloud said there is no difference with whoever is between the pipes.
