Golden Knights Gameday: VGK Look to Bounce Back in the Desert

The Vegas Golden Knights look to rebound from the team’s first loss of the season in Arizona today against the Coyotes Friday night. After dropping a 5-2 decision in the third of four straight games against the Coyotes, the Golden Knights must get in gear early for the 1 pm PT matinee.

Vegas Golden Knights 4-1-0 vs. Arizona Coyotes 2-2-1

Friday, Connor Garland led the charge for the Coyotes with a goal and two assists, while Shea Theodore and Cody Glass scored for Vegas. Once again the Golden Knights went with five defenseman to re-insert Glass into the lineup.

Robin Lehner struggled in taking his first loss of the season, making 21 saves. Darcy Kuemper was very good for Arizona, turning aside 29 shots in the victory.

It seems the Vegas Golden Knights have had a tough time getting things going at the drop of the puck. Once again Friday night the team gave up an early goal just 3:22 in when Christian Dvorak scored on the power play, marking the third time in five games the VGK allowed the first goal.

While falling behind 1-0 is not the end of the world, keep in mind these first five games have all been against non-playoff teams. The Golden Knights need to figure out a way to step on the gas much more quickly.

Keep An Eye On

VGK – Mark Stone gets the nod here for the second straight game. Stone extended his point streak to five games with an assist Friday night. Since being named the first captain in team history prior to the start of 2021, Stone has come out as if on a mission. He leads the team in points (8) and assists (6), while both of his goals have been game winners.

ARI – Connor Garland’s three point night was only the third of his career, but the scrappy forward has earned his spot on this Coyotes roster through hard work. Listed at 5-10 but likely less, Garland is one of the smallest players on the roster. He led the Coyotes in goals (22) and game-winning goals (5) last season. If he gets it going it means good things for the Coyotes.

Notes

Vegas Golden Knights

• As previously mentioned, Stone has extended his scoring streak to five games (2-6-8) to start the season. In all four of Vegas’ victories, Stone’s name has been attached to the game-winning goal. He’s scored two of them, and assisted on the other two.
• Shea Theodore scored for the second straight game on Friday and added an assist, giving him three goals and six points on the season.
• Cody Glass scored his first goal of the season on Friday, a power play goal at 11:04 of the third period. The goal was only the Vegas Golden Knights second power play goal of the season.

Arizona Coyotes

• Four Coyotes – Conor Garland (1-2-3), Nick Schmaltz (1-1-2), Christian Dvorak (1-1-2), Drake Cagguila (0-2-2) – posted multiple point games in Friday’s win.
• Derick Brassard scored his first goal as a member of the Coyotes.
• Oliver Ekman-Larsson (week-to-week) and Antti Raanta (day-to-day) remain out for Arizona
• Arizona has not lost a regulation game at home to a division opponent since December 10, 2019 to Calgary.