Golden Knights stifle Jets’ power play in 5-2 win

By Jesse Granger

Published Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 | 4:08 p.m.

Updated Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 | 10:10 p.m.

William Karlsson win a sprint from center ice, getting behind the Winnipeg defenders for a breakaway chance. He deked Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck onto the ice and calmly lifted a backhand shot into the net for a shorthanded goal.

The Golden Knights contained the Winnipeg Jets’ vaunted power play, and scored a shorthanded goal in a dominating 5-2 win Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Jets entered the game with the No. 3 power play in the NHL, having scored on six of their last nine chances, but were held to 1-for-6 by the Golden Knights. The Golden Knights also got a power play goal of their own when James Neal scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season in the second period.

The win brings the Golden Knights record at T-Mobile Arena to 8-1-0 on the season.

Golden Knights lead Jets 5-2 after second period

The Golden Knights rode a wave of special teams goals to a commanding 5-2 lead after two periods Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The first came on a power play as a bouncing puck found James Neal, who shot it into an open net to extend Vegas’ lead over the Winnipeg Jets to 4-2.

Minutes later, the Golden Knights were killing a penalty when William Karlsson skated past the Jets’ defense for a breakaway. Karlsson deked Jets’ goalie Connor Hellebuyck onto the ice and put a backhand shot past him for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season.

Karlsson’s first goal came earlier in the second period, as he poked the puck into the net after a rebound on a shot from Deryk Engelland.

That goal made it 3-1 Golden Knights, but Winnipeg sharp shooter Patrik Laine put a one-timer into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2 with 6:03 left in the second period.

From that point it was all Vegas. The Golden Knights have outshot Winnipeg 21-16 and take a 5-2 lead into the third period.

Golden Knights lead Jets 2-1 after one period

Golden Knights forward David Perron softly pushed a puck pack to the point, and Luca Sbisa drilled it into the back of the Winnipeg Jets’ net.

It was Sbisa’s first goal of the season and gave Vegas an early 1-0 lead over Winnipeg.

Perron added to the Golden Knights lead minutes later, ripping a wrist shot past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck to make it 2-0 with 4:52 left in the first period.

A capacity crowd at T-Mobile Arena was rocking after the blazing start for Vegas, but Winnipeg quickly quieted the fans. Adam Lowry tipped Dmitry Kulikov’s shot past Maxime Lagace to cut the Golden Knights’ lead to 2-1.

Other than Perron, who had a part in both goals, William Carrier stood out in the first period for Vegas. The 22-year-old winger had two board-shaking hits on the Jets and created multiple chances in the offensive zone.

WInnipeg entered the game having scored on six of its last nine power plays, but were held scoreless with a man advantage in the first period. Vegas killed power play after a hooking call on Brayden McNabb, and will start the second period with 1:34 remaining on Sbisa’s delay of game call.

Pre game

After two weeks on the road, the Golden Knights finally return to the friendly confines of T-Mobile Arena tonight.

The return to Las Vegas is good for the team (6-1-0 at home), as are the two off days, but things aren’t getting any easier for the Golden Knights as they host the Winnipeg Jets.

“I think the guys feel good and refreshed and that’s good, because it’s going to be a battle,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “I’d like to see an early start. We’ve had early starts in most games, especially at home, so let’s have a good jump and get some good forechecking going early.”

The Jets are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, with only one regulation loss in their last 12 games. Winnipeg’s run has been largely fueled by a red-hot power play that has scored on 6 of 9 chances in the last three games.

“Their power play is on fire,” Gallant said. “They’re a big team that plays heavy, goes to the net hard, and they’ve got talented, young hockey players that play hard every shift and compete.”

Winger Blake Wheeler is third in the NHL in assists with 16, including eight in the last three games alone. He will be trying to set up scorers Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine. The Jets are equally talented on the defensive end, headlined by bruiser Dustin Byfuglien and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who comes in sporting an impressive 8-0-2 record.

Maxime Lagace will again get the start in goal for the Golden Knights. The rookie has lost five of the six games he’s played in, but all were on the road. Lagace’s play has improved with each game, and tonight will be his home debut for Vegas.

The Jets are hot, but if the Golden Knights can get the early success Gallant is asking for, the atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena should carry them. Home fans should be chomping at the bit after the two-week road trip, and the Golden Knights have still lost only one game in the building.

Prediction : Jets 5, Golden Knights 3

Season record for predictions: 8-6

Puck drops: 7:30 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM

TV: AT&T SportsNet (DirecTV 684, Cox 1313, CenturyLink Prism 1760, Dish Network 5414)

Betting line: Golden Knights plus-110, Total 6 minus-110 to the under

Golden Knights (9-5-1) (6-1-0 home)

Coach: Gerard Gallant

Goal leader: James Neal (8)

Assist leader: David Perron (8)

Expected goalie: Maxime Lagace (1-4-1, 3.87 goals against average)

Winnipeg Jets (8-3-3) (4-1-2 away)

Coach: Paul Maurice

Goal leader: Mark Scheifele (9)

Assist leader: Blake Wheeler (16)

Expected goalie: Connor Hellebuyck (8-0-2, 2.12 goals against average)

Golden Knights game day roster

Forwards (12): Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, William Carrier, Cody Eakin, Erik Haula, William Karlsson, Oscar Lindberg, Jonathan Marchessault, James Neal, Tomas Nosek, David Perron, Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch.

Defensemen (6): Deryk Engelland, Brad Hunt, Brayden McNabb, Colin Miller, Luca Sbisa and Nate Schmidt.

Goalies (2): Maxime Lagace and Dylan Ferguson