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Vegas Golden Knights: Lehner the real deal, other takeaways

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights puts on his mask before a game against the New Jersey Devils in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights puts on his mask before a game against the New Jersey Devils in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1. Lehner the real deal

The Vegas Golden Knights made a splash at the NHL Trade Deadline after pulling the trigger on a blockbuster trade for Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks.

It automatically upgraded the goalie position on the depth chart and it also gave the Golden Knights one of the best netminding tandems in the NHL.

And we saw on Tuesday the full benefit of having two elite goalies on the roster, with Lehner absolutely lights out against the New Jersey Devils to record his first shutout for the Golden Knights in what was his 300th career game in the NHL.

He absolutely robbed Travis Zajac with a sublime glove save in the opening minute of the game, before going on to stop all 27 shots he faced.

It was a real accomplished and confident outing for Lehner, who just instils confidence in his defence with his sheer size and ability to track the puck.

In two starts for the Golden Knights, Lehner is 2-0-0 with a .967 Save Percentage and a 1.00 Goals Against Average.

Although a small sample size, Lehner has been absolutely dominant and that bodes well for the coming weeks.

It must also fill General Manager Kelly McCrimmon and Head Coach Peter DeBoer with joy knowing that they can now rest Marc-Andre Fleury down the stretch, knowing that they’ve now got a more than capable backup in Lehner.

That is going to be huge come the postseason when the Golden Knights will have a rested Fleury in addition to an elite goalie in Lehner.

After all, you can’t win championships without elite goaltending and the Vegas Golden Knights look like they’ve got that particular box well and truly ticked.

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