Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Golden Knights take step back in 4-1 loss to Coyotes

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AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Arizona Coyotes right wing Dylan Guenther, second from right, celebrates with defenseman Patrik Nemeth (2), center Nick Bjugstad and left wing Michael Carcone (53) after his goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Tempe, Ariz., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.

Phil Kessel scored in his return to Arizona, but that was all the Golden Knights could muster on offense in a 4-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on Sunday.

Kessel scored a power-play goal at 9:03 of the second period to cut into a 2-0 Arizona lead. Playing in his 1,030th consecutive NHL game, Kessel spent the past three years with the Coyotes before signing a one-year deal with Vegas this offseason.

Logan Thompson made 20 saves as he made both starts in this weekend back-to-back. The Golden Knights were coming off a 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals at home on Saturday, but could not solve Arizona goalie Karel Vejmelka this time around. He made 34 saves.

Arizona forward Clayton Keller recorded a hat trick, the second of his career, to hand the Golden Knights (29-17-2) their fifth loss in the last seven games.

"We just have to be better," Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. 

All the progress the Golden Knights made 24 hours prior went away in the home of the Arizona State University hockey team. Considering the Coyotes were also playing the second night of a back-to-back with travel — they lost 4-0 to the Dallas Stars inside American Airlines Center on Saturday — the excuse of longer travel would've applied more to the home team.

But the Golden Knights have just three games remaining before the All-Star break, and it's not enough time to put forth some positivity before getting a week off.

Reinforcements may be on the way with Shea Theodore and Brett Howden traveling with the Golden Knights and possibly returning to the lineup this week. Theodore (lower body) skated with the team in Tempe on Sunday, while Howden was a non-contact participant Saturday.

Vegas will likely take anything at this rate.

Some observations from the game:

Golden Knights struggle to cover the slot

All three 5-on-5 goals saw the Coyotes get to the center of the offensive zone with no resistance from the road team.

The trend started 1:59 into the game when Dylan Guenther found a soft spot in the slot and beat Thompson for the game's first goal. Guenther was alone at the edge of the left circle when William Karlsson and Reilly Smith were committed to the walls, while defensemen Nic Hague and Ben Hutton had their backs turned below the goal line.

The second goal wasn't as egregious in terms of coverage, but the Coyotes kept it in the offensive zone long enough to let Keller get to the middle and beat Thompson for his first goal 1:39 in the second.

"We had chances, too," defenseman Brayden McNabb said. "They capitalized on their chances."

Keller's second goal was nearly similar to Guenther: He came from the blue line with nobody accounting for him and he had room to pick the corner for the 3-1 lead.

"Those are good shots," Cassidy said. "Logan, we hung him out to dry with our slot coverage. It could've easily been a 1-1, 2-1 game if we protected the slot.

Another strong game from the new fourth line

Card is obviously subject to change at any point, but the group involving Jonas Rondbjerg and Byron Froese put forth another strong outing on Sunday.

The trio of the two Henderson players and Kessel were on the ice for five shot attempts and only allowed one. That came one night after Froese scored his first goal with Vegas, with Rondbjerg collecting the assist.

Cassidy took Kessel away to try and capitalize on the veteran's goal and the jump he had against his former team. But even when putting Keegan Kolesar with the two, the line had an 11-3 edge in attempts and 7-2 advantage in scoring chances.

"We gave up one early, and it's tough to come back from those ones," Froese said.

Froese has played well since getting into the lineup and has earned the right for another look. The numbers game may catch up to him eventually once Howden returns, but Froese is playing to well to take him out now.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.