Golden Knights Offense Still Dry As They Lose Sixth Of Last Seven

The Vegas Golden Knights (29-18-3, 61 points) played another strong game against the New York Rangers (27-14-8, 62 points) Friday night, but don't get points for trying as they lost the game 3-1. This marks three straight road losses for the VGK.

The Rangers capitalized off their chances, scoring two goals in both the first and third periods. The Golden Knight's only goal came from Phil Kessel below the goal line as they continue to struggle.

On a positive note, just one game after the Golden Knights got Brett Howden back from injury, both Shea Theodore and Will Carrier returned from injury as well. The VGK are now only without Mark Stone, Zach Whitecloud, and Daniil Miromanov on the injury front. Adin Hill got the start.

FIRST PERIOD

• With their first shift in the game, both William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault officially played in their 400th career game with the Golden Knights. Both are tied for the all-time lead in VGK games played.
• Artemi Panarin fired a quick shot glove side on Adin Hill, who made the save to get him into the game.
• William Karlsson broke with Reilly Smith on a 2-on-1, and Karlsson's shot was stopped by the right pad of Jaroslav Halak.
• Will Carrier and Phil Kessel then similarly had a 2-on-1. Jaroslav Halak made two big pad saves on Kessel to keep the game scoreless.
• Jack Eichel made a nice move to cut to the slot and get a shot on Jaroslav Halak, who just got a piece of it.
• Kappo Kakko made a centering pass to Filip Chytl right in front of the net, and Adin Hill came up with a big save.
• VGK PP- Jack Eichel was held up by Barclay Goodrow.
• Jonathan Marchessault tried the unique move of banking in a shot off Jaroslav Halak from below the goal line, but Halak was able to squeeze tight.
• 1-0 NYR GOAL- Chris Kreider reached the 20-goal plateau on the season as he tipped in a puck from Vincent Trocheck. The play came after Paul Cotter couldn't handle a breakout pass from Brayden McNabb.
• Alex Pietrangelo jumped into a play and fooled Jaroslav Halak, but not the post.
• Adin Hill made a huge save on Jimmy Vesey to keep the game 1-0 late in the first period.
• 2-0 NYR GOAL- Barclay Goodrow found Vincent Trocheck in front of the net with just 42 seconds left in the first period, who scored.

SECOND PERIOD

• FIGHT- Right off the faceoff in the second period, Keegan Kolesar fought Will Cuylle in a hard-nosed tilt.
• VGK PP- Artemi Panarin tripped up William Karlsson and sent the Golden Knights to the powerplay right after the Keegan Kolesar fight.
• Adin Hill was forced to make a big save on Barclay Goodrow shorthanded as the Golden Knights misplayed the puck on the powerplay.
• 2-1 VGK GOAL- The second attempt to score on Jaroslav Halak from below the goal line was successful as Phil Kessel banked one in.
• Vincent Trocheck found Chris Kreider in the slot for a grade-A chance, but Adin Hill made the save.

• Brett Howden made a nice cross-ice feed to Keegan Kolesar, but he was stoned by Jaroslav Halak.
• Both goaltenders, Adin Hill and Jaroslav Halak were very noticeable in the second period, keeping it a low-scoring game.

THIRD PERIOD

• Jack Eichel drew a bunch of Rangers' attention and got them distracted from covering Paul Cotter. Eichel fed Cotter for a chance right in front of Jaroslav Halak, but the save was made.
• NYR PP- Nicolas Hague took a hooking penalty.
• The Golden Knights put together a strong penalty kill, but in the process, continued to kill off the clock as the Rangers led.
• Bruce Cassidy shuffled up his line combinations as he benched Michael Amadio. Jonathan Marchessault double-shifted and played with Paul Cotter and Jack Eichel.
• William Carrier made a big drive to the net for a chance.
• 3-1 NYR GOAL- Filip Chytl made a drive to the net and scored off a last-ditch put-it-to-the-net effort which hit Shea Theodore's skate and went in. 
• The Golden Knights and Adin Hill then immediately turned the puck over to Artemi Panarin, who almost made it 4-1 by hitting the post.
• NYR PP- With just over four minutes left, Brayden McNabb took a holding penalty.
• Adin Hill was pulled with just under two minutes remaining in the game. 
• 4-1 NYR GOAL- Jimmy Vesey sealed things with an empty-net goal.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES

• The Golden Knights once again struggled in the first period, not scoring despite their collection of chances. They have scored just four first-period goals in their last nine games, which leaves them chasing down games in the second and third periods.
• Former Golden Knight Jake Leschyshyn played against his former team for the first time in his career after being claimed off waivers.
• Shea Theodore's presence was immediately felt in his return from injury, as the VGK had a much better time moving the puck Friday night.
• Now with seven healthy defensemen, head coach Bruce Cassidy opted to go with Ben Hutton in the lineup over Kaedan Korczak.
• There were two instances in the game where the Golden Knights tried to score on Jaroslav Halak below the goal line by banking in a puck off the goaltender's backside. Jonathan Marchessault attempted it in the first period, and Phil Kessel scored with this method in the second.
• Keegan Kolesar's fight to start the second period gave the Golden Knights some juice as they had a full powerplay opportunity not long after and then eventually scored later on in the second, thanks to a Phil Kessel goal.
• Chandler Stephenson has no goals in his last nine games, Reilly Smith none in his last eleven, and Jack Eichel none in his last six. The stars aren't producing.

VHN's Player of the Game: Keegan Kolesar

He did his part. 

Up Next: The Golden Knights will play the New York Islanders tomorrow at 4:30 in their final game before the All-Star Break.