In Chicago, the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard scored 90 seconds into the game with the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead.
That wasn’t quite enough as the Knights took a 5-3 decision.
Vegas has won all six of its games this season.
“We just wanted to play a better third [period],” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We knew we weren’t at our best for the first two periods. We had pockets of good hockey, pockets where we were fighting the puck, lost our structure at times. So we just wanted to have a good period. Yes, it helps.”
Adin Hill made 21 saves in the win.
“It’s cool,” Hill said of the start. “We came in with the mentality of trying to repeat what we did last year. I think it’s carried over. The last couple of [preseason] games, we started getting a little smoother and a little more crisp with things, just to implement our system. I think we carried that through into the season, and it’s been pretty seamless. It’s been a good start, so yeah, keep building on it.”
Vegas tied the game, 1-1, at 4:05 of the first on a marker from William Karlsson .
The two teams traded goals in the middle frame with Jonathan Marchessault putting the Golden Knights up 2-1 at 7:30, and Reese Johnson scoring at 8:50 for a 2-2 tie that held into the third period.
“We just wanted to play a better third [period],” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We knew we weren’t at our best for the first two periods. We had pockets of good hockey, pockets where we were fighting the puck, lost our structure at times. So we just wanted to have a good period. Yes, it helps.”
With 13 seconds gone in the third, Nicolas Roy snapped the tie to help send Vegas to the win on a three-goal third.
“For sure, I think that was a bit of a killer for them,” Karlsson said. “If you let one in right off the bat, that’s going to give us momentum.”
Mark Stone scored the eventual game-winner at 13:47.
“I thought the end of the second period we had some really good opportunities there,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. “Unfortunately [they] didn’t go in. ‘AA’ (Andreas Athanasiou) had one on the back door, Tyler (Johnson) had one in the slot. I think we hit the post again tonight on that. So we’ve just got to keep shooting. I’d still like to see quicker movement, more shot mentality. I think at times we had it, and at times when it doesn’t go in, they want the perfect play which, you have to go with works.
“We’ll keep driving that home and hopefully they fall.”
Paul Cotter added insurance at 16:09 of the third with a power play goal for a 5-2 advantage.
Corey Perry s scored off a power play with 15 seconds left in the game for the 5-3 final.
Arvid Soderblom made 19 saves in the Chicago loss.
You must be logged in to post a comment.