7 Observations: Power Play Dooms Free-Falling Golden Knights Again

On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights (7-4-4) hosted the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers (8-7-1). They allowed the first goal and never recovered; despite a third-period comeback bid, they fell 3-2.

The Golden Knights had some jump at the start, and Jeremy Lauzon dropped the gloves with Donovan Sebrango less than three minutes into the game. However, their level of play quickly dipped. Despite being outshot 13-10 in the first, the Panthers improved as the period went along and took over the game.

The Panthers broke the ice at 14:47 in the first period. The Golden Knights turned the puck over in the defensive zone, and it ended up in the back of their net. Mackie Samoskevich stripped the puck from Zach Whitecloud, and Jeff Petry’s shot whistled wide of the net. The puck went to Donovan Sebrango, who set up Jesper Boqvist in the high slot for a one-timer. 

The Panthers dominated the second, adding to their lead 10:54 into the period. Donovan Sebrango stood Brett Howden up at the blue line, and Gustav Forsling cleared the zone. Brad Marchand collected the puck at center ice, galloped into the offensive zone, deked around Kaedan Korczak, and beat Carl Lindbom with a backhand beauty. 

The Golden Knights came to life in the third and got on the board 1:25 into the period. Shea Theodore stepped into the slot and fired a clapper on net, and Tomáš Hertl swept the rebound past Sergei Bobrovsky while falling. 

Just over a minute later, the Golden Knights drew a penalty but did nothing with the ensuing power play. The Panthers had no such struggles and restored their two-goal lead on a power play tally of their own. Seth Jones blasted a one-timer from the point, and Sam Reinhart redirected it home.

Undeterred, the Golden Knights doubled their offensive efforts; five minutes later, they again cut the Panthers’ lead to one. Brayden McNabb evaded Carter Verhaeghe and tried to find Ivan Barbashev, but Verhaeghe got his stick on the pass attempt. Ivan Barbashev gloved down the fluttering puck and slammed it past Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Golden Knights struggled to get Carl Lindbom off the ice, but eventually pulled him for the extra attacker. However, they couldn’t generate any real looks, and the Panthers held on for a 3-2 win.

Three stars of the game: Brad Marchand, Tomáš Hertl, Ivan Barbashev

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. Tonight was the 10th time that the Golden Knights allowed the game’s first goal. They have a record of 4-3-3 in those 10 games.

2. The Golden Knights’ power play is a net negative, and it has been for quite some time now. Since losing Mark Stone, they have gone 3-for-26 on the man advantage. 

3. The Golden Knights’ struggle to finish is becoming a trend. But credit where it’s due– Sergei Bobrovsky played well tonight. He came up big several times in the third period and saved 1.17 goals above expected.  

4. The Golden Knights outshot the Panthers 12-1 in the third period. Unfortunately for the home team, the Panthers’ lone shot went in and stood as the game-winning goal.

5. He’d only been held off the scoresheet in three straight games, but Tomáš Hertl desperately needed his goal tonight. You could just see how relieved he was when he scored.

6. When the Golden Knights pulled Carl Lindbom for the extra attacker, the Panthers had a seemingly clean shot at the empty net. Instead, Mitch Marner dove to block Eetu Luostarinen’s bid. The Golden Knights were unable to do anything with their new lease on life, but if not for Marner, the Panthers would have iced it with over a minute remaining.

7. The Golden Knights’ lack of depth scoring is officially a problem. With Mark Stone out of the lineup, they need players lower in the lineup to step up. So far, no one is answering the call.