Vegas Golden Knights: Main Takeaways from Overtime loss to Sharks
It was yet another Overtime loss for the Vegas Golden Knights who fell to the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night.
In what was a tightly-contested game between two bitter rivals, the Vegas Golden Knights couldn’t quite get the job done in Overtime.
Timo Meier opened the scoring as he got the Sharks on the board in the second period following a scoreless first.
Vegas had heavily outshot San Jose in the first two periods but couldn’t quite find that finishing touch, until Brayden McNabb fired a wrister from the top of the circle past Aaron Dell.
That took the game to Overtime and, after plenty of back-and-forth action, it was the Sharks who came out on top thanks to Logan Couture.
Let’s go over some quick takeaways from the game…
1. Vegas’ Overtime Woes
The Vegas Golden Knights have now gone 11 straight Overtimes without scoring, dating back to last season, and they have dropped four games this year alone in Overtime which isn’t going to get the job done.
There is no clear answer as to why the Golden Knights can’t get the job done in Overtime, but there is enough of a sample size to be concerned now.
They certainly have the firepower to be able to dominate at 3-on-3 but they couldn’t quite get the puck past Aaron Dell, which led to Logan Couture embarking on a breakaway before finishing his own rebound.
2. Lack of a Killer Instinct
The Golden Knights absolutely dominated on the shot board, outshooting the Sharks 38-29 but yet they only scored one goal.
That is crazy when you think about it and it sums up the Knights’ struggle to find that killer instinct and get the job done this year.
They have generally created a plethora of chances this season but they just can’t seem to put the puck in the net and that was highlighted last night.
3. Reaves The Hit Machine
Ryan Reaves is an absolute monster. End of discussion.
We all know just how formidable the bottom six enforcer really is, but he’s taking it to a whole different level this year.
He has been doing the job that is expected of him to a tee, and he was at the peak of his powers against the Sharks.
Always a battle between these two franchises, Reaves rose to the occasion and laid on no less than 12 hits, yes 12, as he beat up on San Jose.
dark. Next. Toronto mess proves team construction is important
And Reaves now leads the National Hockey League in hits with 120 hits, some way above Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson who sits in second with 94.