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Vegas Golden Knights: Stephenson’s crazy day, other takeaways

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) scores during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Vegas Golden Knights on December 3, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) scores during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Vegas Golden Knights on December 3, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 3: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate Chandler Stephenson’s second period goal as Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during the game at the Prudential Center on December 3, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 3: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate Chandler Stephenson’s second period goal as Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during the game at the Prudential Center on December 3, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Vegas find a way to get the job done

No team will be at the peak of their powers every single game, that’s just par for the course, but good teams and contending teams find a way to win when they aren’t at their best.

And that’s exactly what the Vegas Golden Knights did on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.

Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Golden Knights were sluggish in the first period, being outshot 17-7 by a Devils team who were out to impress Interim Head Coach Alain Nasreddine.

They even took a one-goal lead into the second period thanks to Kyle Palmieri, and they also bounced back to go ahead again thanks to Jesper Bratt after Chandler Stephenson made it a tied game.

But, quality always shines through in the end and the Golden Knights mustered up some extra energy to come out swinging in the third period, dishing out three knockout blows via a Jonathan Marchessault hat trick.

And the Knights also had the energy to keep New Jersey at bay for the final 10 minutes after Nico Hischier had made it a one-goal game, and that’s where character comes in.

The locker room is a sacred place, especially in Vegas, and the chemistry that exists between this group of players was evident throughout this game.

They rode the ups and downs and came together to overcome their tired legs that come with playing a back-to-back, and the Vegas Golden Knights had the killer instinct to get the job done and make it four straight wins.

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