7 Observations: Golden Knights Blow Lead, Fall to Avs in Shootout

The Vegas Golden Knights (47-22-9) entered Tuesday’s game on a two-game win streak, looking to sweep their three-game road trip. They didn’t, but went to overtime for the second time in three games, securing a point in the standings and clinching home-ice advantage in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Golden Knights fell to the Colorado Avalanche (48-27-4) 3-2 in a shootout.

This matchup between the Golden Knights and the Avalanche, viewed as a potential Western Conference Final preview, was highly anticipated. Instead, these were two injured teams— the Avalanche were missing two of their top-six wingers, and the Golden Knights were down both of their top-six centers. Instead of two healthy juggernauts going at it, Tuesday’s game was the story of unlikely heroes and players answering the call.

The Golden Knights broke the ice at 11:10 in the first period with their sixth shorthanded goal of the season and first in 42 games. Reilly Smith stripped the puck from Cale Makar and drove up ice with William Karlsson in a 2-on-1. Smith threaded a cross-ice path to Karlsson, who beat Scott Wedgewood far side.

The Golden Knights added to their lead just 40 seconds into the second period. William Karlsson tried to set up Victor Olofsson from behind the net, but Joel Kiviranta got a stick on it. The puck bounced off Brock Nelson’s skate and trickled right to Brayden McNabb in the high slot, who floated a shot past Scott Wedgewood.  

The Avalanche finally solved Akira Schmid on the power play. Nathan MacKinnon fired a shot on goal. Schmid made the save, and Val Nichushkin chipped in the rebound. Initially, it looked like Schmid managed to keep that out as well; upon review, officials ruled that the puck– inside Schmid’s glove– fully crossed the goal line. 

The Avalanche tied the game at 17:08 in the second period. Miles Wood fired a shot wide, and Charlie Coyle backhanded a centering pass. Mark Stone couldn’t clear, and Jimmy Vesey snuck unnoticed to finish off Coyle’s feed back door. 

The Avalanche gained momentum from Vesey’s goal and pushed hard to end the second period. The Golden Knights were lucky to escape tied.

In the third period, the Avalanche were the better team; the Golden Knights were outskated and outworked. But Akira Schmid kept them in the game.

The Golden Knights held their own in overtime but ultimately fell in a shootout.

Three stars of the game: Charlie Coyle, Akira Schmid, Valeri Nichuskin

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. With one point on Tuesday against the Avalanche, the Golden Knights secured home ice in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their opponent is still unknown, but it’ll likely be either the St. Louis Blues or the Minnesota Wild.

2. The Golden Knights penalty kill had been gradually improving. Before Val Nichushkin’s power play goal, they had killed off eight straight power plays. The Avalanche were also shorthanded, down Jonathan Drouin and Martin Nečas, but the Golden Knights’ penalty kill came up big.

3. The power play, on the other hand, was a non-factor. Losing both Jack Eichel and Tomáš Hertl on the top unit rendered them incohesive and ineffective. They couldn’t get anything going and went 0-for-4.

4. Akira Schmid was incredible on Tuesday. In just his second start of the season, he saved 34 of 36 shots and was far and away the best Golden Knights player on the ice. He kept them in the game when the Avalanche overwhelmed the Golden Knights and saved 1.03 goals above expected. Most impressive, however, was Schmid’s performance against Nathan MacKinnon; MacKinnon registered six shots on goal, but not one got past Schmid.

5. Jack Eichel was a late scratch. He’s listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. It’s important to note that Eichel didn’t have a break this season, as he participated in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. This very well could be precautionary.

6. The Golden Knights secured five of six points on this three-game road trip. All things considered, that’s huge. Jack Eichel, Nic Hague, and Alex Pietrangelo were all absent from the lineup on Thursday in Denver– Hague and Pietrangelo for illness. And they took the Avalanche to a shootout. That’s not nothing.

7. William Karlsson answered the call on Tuesday. He and his line controlled play, and he broke a 24-game goalless streak shorthanded. He was on the ice for both Golden Knights’ goals and neither of the Avalanche goals. Karlsson went 17-of-29 in the dot and led all forwards in ice time with 22:01.