Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Blog: Golden Knights force overtime, but fall to Islanders

Marchessault

Kathy Willens / AP

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) and defensemen Shea Theodore (27) and Nicolas Hague (14) line up with New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) in front of them near the Islanders’ goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y.

Updated Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 | 6:39 p.m.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The Golden Knights will be disappointed in the loss of course, but they just completed a road trip that can only be considered a rousing success.

Vegas fell to the New York Islanders 3-2 in overtime at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, but they scored late to force the extra period and finish a three-game road trip with five of a possible six points.

Malcolm Subban turned in another terrific outing in goal, starting his fifth game in a row and third in four nights. He made 28 saves saves in a game where New York could have easily had more than three goals.

It was a tie game going into the third period, but Anthony Beauvillier found and open Brock Nelson in the slot, and Nelson whipped it by Malcolm Subban to give the Islanders the 2-1 lead 3:56 into the period.

But the Golden Knights weren't done. Nicolas Hague whiffed on a shot in the second period that led to a New York goal, and he missed again in the third, but this time it worked out. He toe-dragged around the New York checker, but the puck slipped off his stick. Jonathan Marchessault was there to pick it up and shoot to tie the game with 4:32 remaining.

Marchessault took a tripping call in overtime, and Ryan Pulock finished the game with the overtime winner for New York.

And when the Islanders have a late lead they're tough to beat. New York was 13-0-1 coming into the game when leading after two periods and though that wasn't the case, they scored early enough for it to be. The Islanders have one of the stingiest defenses in the league by allowed the fewest goals in the NHL.

The Golden Knights never had a lead in the game. New York started the scoring with a Cal Clutterbuck goal at 4:26 of the second and held it until Alex Tuch tied the game at 15:27. It was Tuch's fourth goal and seven points in the last four games. 

Vegas led in final shots on goal 33-31.

Golden Knights, Islanders head to 3rd period tied

After a physical first, things weren't going to stay scoreless forever. The Golden Knights and New York Islanders traded goals in the second period, and the third period will start in a 1-1 tie.

The Islanders drew first blood in the second period when Cal Clutterbuck finished a 3-on-1 on his own. Nicolas Hague pinched in to play a rebound at the New York and whiffed on the shot. Clutterbuck picked up the loose puck and Shea Theodore was left to defend three Islanders on his own. Theodore took away the pass so Clutterbuck took it on his own and sniped in the unassisted goal at 4:26.

After a scoreless Golden Knights power play, things started opening up. The Islanders bombarded the Vegas net to the tune of seven shot attempts in a 98-second span, including three saves in 36 seconds by Malcolm Subban. After he slip to one side of the net to make a save, Adam Peletch had a golden opportunity to shoot at an open net, but Chandler Stephenson jumped in the way to block it.

The puck somehow stayed out of the Vegas net. Then not long after, it ended up in the New York net. Alex Tuch collected the puck in the neutral zone and zoomed down the right wing side and into the zone. He had Jonathan Marchessault on his left but instead missiled over Semyon Varlamov's shoulder to even the game at 15:27.

The Islanders led in shots on goal after two periods 25-21.

Physical first period for Golden Knights, Islanders but no score

The Golden Knights and New York Islanders started the the first period Thursday like a boxing match, each side feeling each other out before they delivered a big a blow. As a result, there weren't too many scoring chances and the period ended 0-0.

Physicality overpowered scoring in the the first half of the period. Just 18 seconds in Deryk Engelland laid a hard check into Matt Martin, causing a delay as he was slow to get up. Martin made sure to return the favor with a big hit on Jon Merrill. There were eight total shots on goal in the first 10 minutes and 18 combined hits.

The Islanders had a power play thanks to a Jon Merrill tripping call, but couldn't get much on it, with just one shot attempt.

New York led in shots on goal 13-8, as well as as in hits 20-7.

Marc-Andre Fleury returns, won't start today against the Islanders

It was welcome sight this morning to see that familiar gold mask skate out from the tunnel and into the crease.

Marc-Andre Fleury hasn’t been with the Golden Knights since early last week, when he left to attend to family matters. He skated with the team for the first time ahead of today’s game against the New York Islanders.

"It was almost like in high school when you get that week off for the Christmas break and you see your friends back, it was kind of a similar feeling," forward Jonathan Marchessault said. "He brings a vibe in the room that no one brings in, so it's fun to have him back."

Last week, a French-language obituary posted that his father, Andre Fleury, had died. Fleury does not typically speak to the media on game days and declined to do so today.

“It’s more the thing that you want to be back with the boys,” forward William Carrier said. “He had stuff to do, obviously, but he just wants to get back to that routine of playing.”

Vegas is in the fortunate spot of not needing to rush back its star goaltender.

Malcolm Subban has started the last five games, and the team has won the last four. In those five games, Subban has posted a .926 save percentage, including allowing just one goal in back-to-back games against the Coyotes and Rangers.

Subban will start again tonight as the Golden Knights ease Fleury back into the lineup. Fleury is expected to dress and serve as the backup against the Islanders.

“He’s a great goaltender. He’s played great for us, so we want to give him some time and make sure he’s ready to go when he’s ready to go,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “You don’t win in the NHL unless you have two goaltenders, and right now, obviously, Subban has played great hockey for us.”

Vegas is off Friday and Saturday, with a home game Sunday against the New York Rangers.

Fleury rejoins the Golden Knights during their best stretch of the season. They have won four in a row, including the first two on the three-game swing through New York and New Jersey. Players said the team is playing with a new confidence, and they hope to take that into today’s game as they look to sweep the road trip.

“When you have that confidence and you do play the right way, you’re going to end up on top,” defenseman Shea Theodore said.

TV: AT&T Sports Net (DirecTV 684, Cox 1313, CenturyLink 1760)

Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM

Betting line: Golden Knights EVEN, Islanders minus-120; over/under: 5.5 (minus-105, minus-115)

Golden Knights (15-11-4, 32 points) (8-6-1 road), third place, Pacific Division

Coach: Gerard Gallant (third season)

Points leader: Max Pacioretty (26)

Goals leaders: Reilly Smith (12)

Assists leaders: William Karlsson (17)

Expected goalie: Malcolm Subban (2.86 GAA, .909 save percentage)

Islanders (18-6-2, 38 points) (11-2-1 home), second place, Metropolitan Division

Coach: Barry Trotz (second season)

Points leaders: Mathew Barzal (24)

Goals leaders: Mathew Barzal (11)

Assists leaders: Mathew Barzal (13)

Expected goalie: Semyon Varlomov (2.39 GAA, .922 save percentage)

Golden Knights projected lineup

Forwards

Jonathan Marchessault—William Karlsson—Reilly Smith

Max Pacioretty—Paul Stastny—Mark Stone

William Carrier—Cody Glass—Alex Tuch

Tomas Nosek—Chandler Stephenson—Ryan Reaves

Defensemen

Brayden McNabb—Nate Schmidt

Nicolas Hague—Shea Theodore

Jon Merrill—Deryk Engelland

Goalies

Malcolm Subban, Marc-Andre Fleury