Two nights after pulling off the Christmas-like miracle in Motown, the Golden Knights couldn’t complete a comeback after once again allowing three unanswered goals, and lost 4-2 to the Minnesota Wild.
The loss comes two nights before a critical Pacific showdown with the Edmonton Oilers.
Advertisement
Minnesota scored three second-period goals in a three-minute span to take a 3-0 lead, delivering the same gut punch that has bothered the Golden Knights all season – falling behind early.
Pavel Dorofeyev scored a goal early in the third period to bring Vegas within two, but Vladimir Tarasenko extended the lead to 4-3 late in the third, putting the game out of reach despite Mitch Marner’s late goal, which provided the final margin.
“You can’t let the game slip away in those (three) minutes,” Jack Eichel said., “Listen, they’re a good team, they’re gonna get chances. Can’t let one trickle into three, but there was still a lot to like about our game.
“I thought we did a lot of good things in the second period, and the third as well, so, back to the drawing board I guess.”
Advertisement
Unfortunately for the Knights, it’s the same drawing board they’ve been sketching on after far too many losses they’ve had to chase games.
The Golden Knights are now in second place in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Anaheim Ducks, 73-72, with the third-place Oilers (68) on deck.
Michael McCarron’s goal at the 8:25 mark of the second period came just 18 seconds after Zach Bogosian’s goal made it 2-0. Though the Knights showed some life in the third period, McCarron’s goal was the knockout punch that seemingly sealed Vegas’ fate.
36.4% … The Golden Knights scored a power play goal on their only opportunity of the game, improving to 4 of 11 since their return from the break. Vegas’ power play ranks third in the league since the NHL resumed play after the Olympics.
Advertisement
Dorofeyev continued his post-Olympic offensive tear with an assist and a goal. He now has seven points in the six games out of the break, having scored four goals and dishing three assists. Dorofeyev became the first Golden Knight in franchise history to record consecutive 30-goal seasons.
UP NEXT: The Golden Knights continue their homestand with Sunday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
PHOTO CAPTION: Minnesota Wild defenseman Jake Middleton (5) fights Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) during the second period at T-Mobile Arena.
Read the full article here
