The first road trip of the 2024-25 season for the Vegas Golden Knights was…“one to forget” despite the obvious cliche. However, they are now at home. Home, sweet, home.
The road trip itself was fittingly one to forget, but for a litany of different reasons. There was the second period Tuesday night in Washington where they coughed up three goals in 3:07 on the way to a 4-2 loss to the Capitals. Then the road trip for the Golden Knights concluded with back-to-back late losses to two of the last four Stanley Cup champions the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Yes, the courtesy point from Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Panthers might prove helpful later on.
Late Game Troubles Loomed Again
It’s easy to overlook given that Vegas won 4-3. But after Nicolas Roy’s goal in that third period, the momentum clearly shifted in St. Louis’ direction that carried on through Robert Thomas’ goal to the final horn. With a little luck in the wrong direction, it’s easy to think that that game could’ve also resulted in dropped points.
Fast forward to Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ivan Barbashev started the second period with a brilliant goal to get it to 3-2, and going into the third seemed to have a fairly solid hold on the game. Then just as it hits the five-minute mark, momentum starts shifting toward Tampa. Followed shortly by Brandon Hagel’s tying and Nikita Kucherov’s game-winner. Goodbye points…!
In Sunrise, Florida on Saturday against the Florida Panthers, there were some differences. Namely, that it was tied by the time it got to under five minutes in the third. But once it got to overtime, the Panthers still registered seven of the eight shots, including the Gustav Forsling game-winner. Once again…goodbye points!
Ultimately, of course, this type of problem is something that the team can correct. Especially given the personnel on the blueline for the VGK. How long that takes will partly depend on Adin Hill finding the high quality game he’s had since joining Vegas. The sooner that happens, the sooner this worry gets settled and the team can get back to winning games at a consistent clip.
Brett Howden With a Glimmer in a Forgettable Road Trip
All wasn’t necessarily dark and gloomy the previous week for the VGK. There were a few bright spots on offence that are worth acclaim. Victor Olofsson, for example, who settling comfortably into a role as a power play sniper. There was the aforementioned Ivan Barbashev goal that seemed cut from a highlight reel of the 2023 Stanley Cup run. Then there’s Brett Howden who’s quietly scored three goals this season, including this little beaut from Saturday night.
Currently on the fourth line, he’s leading the team in shots on goal than Jack Eichel or Mark Stone. His shooting percentage (16.7%) isn’t as heavily inflated compared to play last season. So there’s hope Howden will be able to sustain this level of play deep into the season. One that may end with his first double-digit scoring season, which (if Tanner Pearson’s two-point night Saturday was an indicator) could turn into really great news for the Golden Knights come playoff time.
A Double Holiday Weekend of Fireworks on the Horizon
Looking at the games this week, two games that fall on unofficial holidays stand out as interesting watches. The first one, the 6-1 thrashing of the Los Angeles Kings at the tail end of the ESPN-branded hockey holiday that is the Frozen Frenzy, provided some balm to last week’s tough road trip. A big reason for that was Tomas Hertl‘s four-point effort, arguably his best game in a Golden Knights uniform. Though L.A.’s long road trip and their Jenga-like goaltending situation right now (see Monday’s 8-7 OT loss to Ottawa) had a hand in it.
The other big matchup is the big annual Nevada Day game against the pretty good (so far) Ottawa Senators. This has the potential to be a high scoring game, given the offensive firepower both teams can bring. Then there’s Saturday night against the San Jose Sharks, which sounded like a somewhat interesting game back in the Summer. Then #1 pick Macklin Celebrini suffered his lower-body injury on the season opener against St. Louis, which has kept him out of the lineup ever since. Now, given their 0-5-2 record, at least it should help keep the good holiday vibes going.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
