Rough Night For VGK: Knights Blanked, 4-0, By Winnipeg Jets In Battle Of Division Leaders; Announced Crowd, 18,022; Coach Cassidy Concerned
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — With about two and a half minutes left in the second period, Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone slammed his stick to the ice after he failed to score a goal when he missed his second point-blank shot within a minute against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night.
That frustration summed up the VGK play after two periods.
It didn’t get better in the final period.
The Western Conference-leading Jets shut out the Golden Knights, 4-0, for the VGK’s second loss in three nights on home ice.
Coach Bruce Cassidy said at his postgame presser that it was not an isolated one-off loss and that he’s concerned.
“Our pace wasn’t good enough,” Cassidy said. “Tonight wasn’t good enough.”
The Winnipeg Jets, the coference’s top team with 106 points entering their game against the Knights, led, 3-0, after two periods and consistently outplayed Vegas through the first 40 minutes in a way fans have not seen in this building.
In the first period, Winnipeg top gun Mark Scheifele fired the puck past VGK netminder Adin Hill for his 37th goal. Adam Lowry scored the Jets’ second goal of the period.
And Winnipeg defenseman and former original Misfit Colin Miller blasted a power play goal on a red-hot slapshot and the Jets enjoyed a 3-0 lead.
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Winnipeg’s big-name goalie, Connor Hellebuyck did not play. Instead, backup Eric Comrie was superb during the first two periods, stopping all 13 of Vegas’ shots on goal, including those two shots from the frustrated Stone.
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For period three, VGK coach Bruce Cassidy pulled Hill and inserted backup Akira Schmid into the lineup.
He was hoping to spark the Knights before an announced crowd of 18,022.
The Knights pulled their goalie for a 6-on-5 with about three and a half minutes left in the final period.
The VGK had some chances, but could not get the puck past Comrie.
Cole Perfetti scored an empty-netter and Winnipeg skated off the T-Mobile Arena ice with the 4-0 win.
Vegas plays in Calgary Saturday, Vancouver Sunday and Colorado Tuesday before playing Seattle at home Thursday and Nashville at home Saturday. VGK are 45-22-8 for 98 points, while the Jets improved to 52-20-4 for 108 points. The LA Kings won in Utah, 4-2, tonight and trail Vegas by three points in the Pacific Division. Edmonton defeated San Jose, 3-2, and trail by five points.
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