Shesterkin and bad luck doom the Golden Knights in tight 2-1 loss

For the second time in as many games, the Vegas Golden Knights were stymied by a Russian goalie playing in New York. This time, it was Igor Shesterkin who had 29 saves to beat Vegas 2-1. Adam Edstrom scored the eventual game-winner for the Rangers early on in the third period.

Mark Stone scored for the fourth time in five games and Ilya Samsonov had 24 saves in a losing effort for Vegas. The loss marks the first time the Golden Knights had consecutive losses since November 17-20 against the Capitals and Maple Leafs, respectively.

The first period started off on an understandably energetic note for the Golden Knights, given the return of Ivan Barbashev from his upper-body injury. The first half of the period saw solid control (even if it didn’t translate into a lot of shots on Igor Shesterkin). Around the midway part though, the Rangers regained control till late in the period, outshooting Vegas 11-5 in the first. The only reason they weren’t down after one was the stellar work of Ilya Samsonov, especially on the chance in close by Reilly Smith.

The start of the second period looked similar in some respects to the first, with Samsonov continuing his stellar play. Vegas carried on the offensive momentum that permeated the latter part of the first. They got their first chance on the power play to cash. Thanks to the dynamic duo, they did…

…Unfortunately, it was followed a few minutes later by a Vincent Trocheck power play goal to tie things up again. One that seemed to do some damage, though it turned out to be a stinger as Trocheck came back for a faceoff a short time later.

The Vegas Golden Knights nearly grab the lead

It was nearly 2-1 going into the second courtesy of Noah Hanifin- if it didn’t squeeze past Shesterkin a half second too late. But the pattern going into the third period did point toward a successful end for the Golden Knights.

The third period started with a rare mix of lively and shotless for nearly six minutes. Then came an odd-man rush, followed by a deflection that beat Samsonov (and probably many other goaltenders in that situation).

Vegas didn't register their first shot till 2:45 after the Edstorm goal and proceeded to carry much of the play as well as the energy in the period. Unfortunately for the black and gold, Shesterkin matched the energy and kept the lead going through the power play to the bitter, anticlimactic end.

Next on the Marquee:

A quick rest and a mental flush of the night's festivities followed by welcoming in the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night at 5 P.M. The good news is we won't face an outstanding goaltender with a last name that starts with the letter S. Bad news? We're still taking on a team that's won five of their last six games, with one of the game's best wingers (Kirill Kaprizov) and one of the best young defensemen (Brock Faber) in the game. The last few minutes of this game though, I think, point to a hopefully good night on Sunday. And that's not just the optimist in me talking. Anyway, until then...