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Vegas Golden Knights: Takeaways from stunning win in Smashville

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: Mark Stone #61, William Karlsson #71 celebrate the game tying goal by Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: Mark Stone #61, William Karlsson #71 celebrate the game tying goal by Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: Mark Stone #61, William Karlsson #71 celebrate the game tying goal by Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: Mark Stone #61, William Karlsson #71 celebrate the game tying goal by Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

What a thrilling way to enter Thanksgiving! The Vegas Golden Knights saved their best until last after beating the Nashville Predators in stunning fashion on Wednesday.

Heading into a huge game at Bridgestone Arena with a three-game losing streak, the Vegas Golden Knights showed an abundance of heart and fight to hang on in there and find a way to win the game.

It all started so well for the Knights too as Mark Stone got his team on the board in the first period, a lead that was strengthened in the middle frame thanks to Reilly Smith‘s 11th goal of the year.

However, the Predators, who have also struggled this year, came roaring back and three unanswered goals from Mikael Granlund, Ryan Ellis and Matt Duchene put Nashville in the driving seat.

Vegas refused to give up, though, and Max Pacioretty came up big for the Golden Knights when the pressure was really on with the buzzer beater.

And the Knights rode that momentum into overtime as Paul Stastny delivered the game-winner to give Vegas what could be a season-defining win.

Let’s go through our biggest takeaways from the Vegas Golden Knights’ 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators…

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a goal against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a goal against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on November 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Never give up

A lot of criticism has been levelled at the Vegas Golden Knights so far this year, especially in November following a string of poor results.

But there is one thing you can’t accuse the Golden Knights of and that is lacking heart or fight, and they showed both in abundance against the Nashville Predators.

Because, after taking a two-goal lead, the Knights were on their way before being brought back to earth as the Preds scored three unanswered goals to take control of the contest.

You wouldn’t have been surprised if the Golden Knights went on to completely implode and lose the game but, and give credit where credit is due, they hung on in there, composed themselves and came back fighting.

Max Pacioretty came up clutch with a second left on the board to take the game to overtime, and then Paul Stastny delivered the game-winner to stun Nashville and give Vegas a huge, huge win.

Given what has happened this month, you can’t understate the importance of this victory and you hope that the Vegas Golden Knights can use this as a springboard.

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