Sunshine after a storm…hard to beat it!
In a game that was about as close to big as you can get for early February, the Vegas Golden Knights had one of their more complete games of the last month, beating the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at Prudential Center. It was almost four and a half minutes away from being the first Vegas shutout since December 3 against Edmonton. But a happy ending’s a happy ending. Here are my three takeaways from this “tres Snoogans” Thursday in Newark.
🎥 Hill: Kudos to our guys, I thought they had a great performance tonight. pic.twitter.com/46Y2B3Duuy
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 7, 2025
Roy and Theodore break scoring droughts
The first two-goal second period lead in two weeks is a big moment. But I’d argue not as big as two crucial pieces breaking long-scoring droughts. First, it was Nicolas Roy off a great fast break in the second period; his first goal in 15 games. Then it was Shea Theodore’s blast through a forest of bodies 7:12 later- his first goal in five games.
Given the issues with the team defensively (which tonight looked much better) and with the health of William Karlsson (which is a sizable question mark right now), a hot streak for either or both of these players would be most welcome. That and an adamantium mesh stitched inside Shea Theodore’s Team Canada jersey for the 4 Nations.
Hill shines in probable 4 Nations rehearsal
Speaking of the 4 Nations, Canada’s potential starter, Adin Hill, had a great bounce-back game after the chaotic-looking third period Sunday night at the Garden. Yeah, he didn’t face a lot of shots from the Devils (14 saves off 15 shots). But when he needed to, he stood strong and came out of New Jersey with his career-best 20th win of the season.
Is he at the level that we saw him in back in December? No, not yet. Tonight’s gonna go a long way to getting there, especially with Vancouver and L.A. coming out of the gates after the tournament. That and an adamantium mesh stitched inside his team Canada jersey…
Trouble on the Penalty Kill. Again.
If there was a part of the game for Vegas that was less than joyous, it’d be (to the shock of no one) the penalty kill. The lone reason why those last 4:24 were as nervy as they were was a Tripping call and an Ondrej Palat goal eight seconds into the power play. If it weren’t for a blatant high stick that disallowed Palat’s second goal, this easily could’ve turned into a redux of that Rangers game.
Of the last five power play goals the Golden Knights have given up, three have come within the first minute. Two of those goals came within the first 30 seconds. Somewhere Leon Draisatl is beaming ear to ear, though he doesn’t know why!
Next on the Marquee:
Next is just a nationally televised 12:30 P.M. Saturday matinee in Boston against the Bruins stands between the end of the road trip and the start of the 4 Nations break. The last time they played was a 5-4 Leap Day loss last year where Adin Hill got shelled early. He’s 0-3 with a 5.05 GAA all-time against Boston.
Samsonov, meanwhile, is 1-2-2 with a 2.77 GAA all-time against the Bruins. That would make you think he’ll get the start Saturday afternoon. Then again, I was wrong before, so…we shall see. Till then…