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Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Injuries Are A Major Concern

By Ryan Hoff |
OTTAWA, ON - NOVEMBER 04: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Maxime Lagace (33) talks to referee Dean Morton (36) during third period National Hockey League action between the Vegas Golden Knights and Ottawa Senators on November 4, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - NOVEMBER 04: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Maxime Lagace (33) talks to referee Dean Morton (36) during third period National Hockey League action between the Vegas Golden Knights and Ottawa Senators on November 4, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With Marc-Andre Fleury, Oscar Dansk, and Malcolm Subban* still out with injuries; the Vegas Golden Knights still sit in second in their division. How long can they stay there with average goaltending?  Do the Knights give Dylan Ferguson get a shot in net?  Let’s try and figure out this mess.

*Note that Subban will travel with the Golden Knights on their road trip in Edmonton and Vancouver. 

AHL goaltending isn’t working

Maxine Lagace and Dylan Ferguson are the current tandem for the Golden Knights, and it is clear that it isn’t working. As soon as Dansk went down with that injury, I was scared for the Knights. I sat there and said to myself “Where do they go from here?”

Lagace’s current record with the Golden Knights is 2-5-1 in seven games played. And a 4.13 GAA and a .860 SV% isn’t a good to start to your NHL career. I would ease up on him if he were a younger goalie, but he is already 24 years old with minimal experience in the AHL. It is clear that he isn’t meant for the NHL.

Ferguson was given a chance in net the other night in Edmonton. He replaced Lagace after letting in seven goals. It might have been short, but it seems to me that the Golden Knights should start Ferguson next game.

Subban back sooner than later

It has been stated by the Vegas Golden Knights, that Malcolm Subban will join the team on their western road trip in Edmonton and Vancouver. It has not been reported if he will play, or even dress at this point. All signs point in the right direction with this news. If the Knights can get at least one of their two primary goalies back, they will be back winning more games.

Where is Flower?

Marc-Andre Fleury gets injured, and that initiated a code red for all fans of the Golden Knights. The player that this franchise revolves around is out, now what? The Golden Knights pick up a star goalie in Subban on waivers, and we hope for the best.

It seemed to work until Subban got injured a couple of games later. Now they turn to Oscar Dansk. Another star goalie in the Knights system, and again it seemed like it worked. That is until he got injured, can you see the pattern here?

Furthermore, this team reminds me a lot of the Montreal Canadiens from the 2015-16 season. Carey Price when down with an injury and the Canadiens went downhill. After starting the season looking like cup contenders, they ended up 6th in Atlantic Division

Now, I’m afraid that’s what going to happen with the Golden Knights. It seems like they can’t win without a starting goalie in net. My suggestion for the Knights is to fix the defense core, work on special teams, and stop relying on the goalie.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Goaltender Malcolm Subban Traveling On Road Trip.

Fleury is skating which is a good sign. Hopefully, he will be back soon, and the Golden Knights can finally get back in the win column.

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