Golden Knights suffer second shutout loss of season, 3-0 to Blue Jackets

By Justin Emerson

Published Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 | 4 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 | 9:27 p.m.

The Golden Knights allowed on goal in each period Saturday, and suffered their second shutout defeat of the year, a 3-0 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena.

They lost 5-0 to the New York Rangers on Dec. 8, the only other time they have failed to score this season.

Down 2-0, Vegas had a great look in the first minute of the third period, as Reilly Smith picked up an Alex Tuch redirect pass and streaked down the right wing. He shot high and the goal horn went off, but the shot hit the crossbar and play continued. No goal.

The first time the lamp was lit in the period came on the other end of the ice. Moments after a terrific glove save by Marc-Andre Fleury to help keep Vegas in it, Alexander Wennberg wristed one by him to make it 3-0 at 8:26. It was the fourth game in a row that Vegas carried a 3-0 deficit in the game.

This compounded a 2-0 deficit after two periods for the Golden Knights. Columbus jumped on the board courtesy of an Emil Bemstrom power-play rocket at 16:38 of the first. That put Vegas in a one-goal hole going to the second, where Columbus was held to just two shots on goal. One of those shots went in though, as Pierre-Luc Dubois tipped the puck by Fleury at 2:06.

The Golden Knights started the seven-game home stand with four wins in a row, including a thriller come-from-behind victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. They the lost the next three to finish 4-3 before heading on the road for eight in a row.

The Golden Knights led in total shots on goal 27-22.

Golden Knights head to third chasing 2 vs. Blue Jackets

The Golden Knights not only allowed the first goal of the game, but the second as well. A home stand that started with four wins in a row is in danger of ending with a three-game losing streak after the Golden Knights fell behind the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 after two periods at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

Vegas entered the second period trailing 1-0 and at 2:06 Columbus extended its lead. Scott Harrington had the initial shot, aiming low at the net. Pierre-Luc Dubois was there for the redirect, sneaking it around Marc-Andre Fleury's pad to make it 2-0.

And the Golden Knights didn't do much offensively. Their best chance came at the end of a power play, but Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins went full starfish to deny Cody Eakin and keep the puck out of the net.

The Golden Knights had one more power play near the end of the period, and aside from a good look from Paul Stastny, they couldn't generate much offense.

Vegas held Columbus to two shots in the period, but one of them was a goal. The Golden Knights led 18-15 in shots on goal after two periods.

Golden Knights fall behind Blue Jackets after 1 period

The Golden Knights' sluggish starts continued again Saturday night, coughing up the first period's only goal and trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 after 20 minutes.

The Golden Knights played most of the period in the Columbus zone, not allowing the Blue Jackets to get their second shot on goal until past the midpoint of the first. Vegas had a two-shot power play of its own, but no grade-A chances.

Two Vegas penalties flipped the momentum to the other side of the ice. The Blue Jackets moved the puck around well on the first one, which set up the fireworks for the second. It took about 75 seconds, but once Columbus settled the puck down they played catch in the offensive before Emil Bemstrom ripped a one-timer from the left circle into the net at 16:38 for a 1-0 lead.

It was the sixth game in a row, all at home, that the Golden Knights allowed the first goal of the game. They came back to win two of those, but are 8-13-5 when the opponent scores first and 5-11-1 when trailing after one period.

Columbus led in shots on goal 13-7.

Keegan Kolesar to make NHL debut when Golden Knights host Blue Jackets

Keegan Kolesar scored two goals last night for AHL Chicago and came off the ice to a text, followed by a phone call. He needed to get on a plane to Las Vegas, because the Golden Knights were calling him up.

The Golden Knights' 22-year-old forward arrived early this morning and did not participate in the team's optional morning skate at City National Arena. But he'll be in the lineup tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets ready to make his NHL debut. Puck drops at T-Mobile Arena at 7 p.m.

"Maybe in that first lap when I go out and take warmups knowing that I'm going to be playing my first game, but after that it's just hockey," Kolesar said of his nerves. "

Kolesar will be the fourth Golden Knight to make his NHL debut this season, joining forward Cody Glass and defensemen Nicolas Hague and Jake Bischoff. Adding to the excitement of the night, it's against the team that drafted him — Columbus in 2015 selected Kolesar in the third round. The Golden Knights acquired him for a second-round pick in 2015. Kolesar was recalled on Dec. 28 and warmed up before that night's game, but did not play.

Kolesar had a strong season at AHL Chicago last season with 20 goals and 36 points, but has struggled to get on the board this year. His two goals last night were his first two of the season, though he says points aren't the best way to define his game.

"Whenever I'm playing good I'm playing a fast, heavy game and I think I have the offensive skill to back that up as well," Kolesar said. "Last night it finally went my way. I was confident before the game and I'm still confident now in my play."

The Golden Knights have struggled recently, falling behind 3-0 in each of their last three games. Kolesar hasn't bee here for those of course, and Vegas is hoping his arrival could be a spark that helps bust its slump.

"It's his first game in the NHL and he deserves it," Gallant said. "He worked hard down there, big strong guy that can skate and put the puck in the net. He's getting an opportunity."

Outside of Kolesar, Jon Merrill is expected to draw back into the lineup on defense in place of Nicolas Hague. Marc-Andre Fleury will return to the net after Malcolm Subban started on Thursday.

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

Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM

Betting line: Golden Knights minus-240, Blue Jackets plus-190; over/under: 5.5 (minus-115, minus-105)

Golden Knights (24-17-6, 54 points) (14-9-3 home), first place, Pacific Division

Coach: Gerard Gallant (third season)

Points leader: Max Pacioretty (45)

Goals leader: Max Pacioretty (20)

Assists leader: Mark Stone (27)

Expected goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (2.84 GAA, .908 save percentage)

Blue Jackets (21-16-8, 50 points) (9-7-6 road), sixth place, Metropolitan Division; fourth place, Wild Card

Coach: John Tortorella (fifth season)

Points leader: OPierre-Luc Dubois (33)

Goals leader: Zach Werenski (15)

Assists leader: Gustav Nyquist (21)

Expected goalie: Elvis Merzlikins (2.89 GAA, .910 save percentage)

Golden Knights projected lineup

Forwards

Chandler Stephenson—William Karlsson—Reilly Smith

Max Pacioretty—Paul Stastny—Mark Stone

William Carrier—Cody Eakin—Alex Tuch

Keegan Kolesar—Tomas Nosek—Ryan Reaves

Defensemen

Brayden McNabb—Nate Schmidt

Nick Holden—Shea Theodore

Jon Merrill—Deryk Engelland

Goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban