Poor Execution Dooms Golden Knights in Loss to Avalanche

The Vegas Golden Knights (6-2-3) kicked off a six-game homestand on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche (7-1-4). For the ninth time this year, they allowed the first goal due to a poor start. This time, they couldn’t recover and lost 4-2.

The Golden Knights’ top line came out flat, and the Avalanche broke the ice 41 seconds into the game. The Golden Knights gave Cale Makar too much time and space, and it cost them. Makar threaded a cross-ice pass to Martin Nečas, who one-timed it past Carl Lindbom.

Unfortunately for the Golden Knights, their lack of execution followed them to the second. Not only did they squander two power-play opportunities, but they also gave the Avalanche momentum.

The Avalanche doubled their lead at 4:32 in the second period, just eight seconds after another failed Golden Knights power play. After a miscommunication between Ben Hutton and William Karlsson, Jack Drury sprung Brock Nelson, who scored on the breakaway. 

The Golden Knights didn’t improve much as the second period progressed. Despite getting three power plays, the Avalanche outshot them 10-7 and generated five high-danger scoring chances to the VGK’s two. 

After a slew of penalties to start the third period, the Golden Knights finally broke through at 4-on-3. Shea Theodore found Tomáš Hertl below the goal line, and Hertl took it to the net and stuffed the puck under Scott Wedgewood’s pad. 

The Avalanche regained their two-goal lead halfway through the third period. Martin Nečas gained the zone, spun past Tomáš Hertl, pulled up, and found a trailing Brent Burns.

Less than two minutes later, the Golden Knights pulled to within one. Mitch Marner sent a centering pass to Tomáš Hertl atop the crease, and Brent Burns accidentally put the puck into his own net.

The Golden Knights pushed, but never managed to find the equalizer. They pulled Lindbom for the extra attacker; however, their power play struggles carried over to 6-on-5. They failed to fully establish the zone and Cale Makar hit the empty net.

Three stars of the game: Martin Nečas, Brent Burns, Tomáš Hertl

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. The difference in the Golden Knights’ power play with and without Mark Stone is astounding. With Stone below the goal line, the Golden Knights went 9-for-24 on the man advantage for a league-leading 37.5%. Without their captain, that percentage has fallen to an abysmal 2-for-19, or a 10.5% success rate.

2. After three lackluster power plays, Bruce Cassidy changed up both units. On the top unit, William Karlsson took Mark Stone’s spot below the goal line. Mitch Marner returned to the top of the umbrella, which bumped Shea Theodore down to the second unit. Brayden McNabb also replaced Ben Hutton. 

3. Jack Eichel has been uncharacteristically sloppy with the puck this season. Jordan Martinook’s breakaway goal was the most glaring example, but it was far from a one-off. He leads the team in giveaways with 24. 

4. Bruce Cassidy wasn’t afraid to send his fourth line out against the MacKinnon line, and they did very well. Cole Reinhardt earned a flukey -1 after Pavel Dorofeyev was slow getting off the ice, but otherwise played well. Keegan Kolesar was rock solid defensively, and Brett Howden was one of the more noticeable players today.

5. Alex Holtz started the game on the top line with Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel. That experiment didn’t even last a fullgame. Although he’s been working on his defensive game, Holtz still struggles, and the fast-flying Avalanche exposed that. Brett Howden replaced Holtz on Eichel’s right halfway through the third period.

6. The Golden Knights have allowed the first goal in nine of eleven games this season. At this point, it’s more than a fluke.

“This is not the first time this year we haven’t started well. We’ve been behind in most games,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy postgame. “The coach has to prepare his team to play, but as players, you have to start on time. It’s almost November, and this is a recurring thing. So, veteran group, get yourself ready to play.”

7. There’s one silver lining to take away from today’s game. At the end of the day, the Golden Knights have a 6-2-3 record and lead the Pacific Division with 15 points. And despite their continuous slow starts, their +7 goal differential is first in the Division and fourth in the Western Conference. Imagine where this team might be if they started on time.