The surprising Golden Knights made expansion history once again last night in an 8-2 loss to the Oilers in Edmonton.
But this wasn't the kind of history that they were hoping to make:
Ferguson turned 19 less than two months ago #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/hb8IbsRw3j
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 15, 2017
Just 17 games into their inaugural campaign, Vegas has already tied the Atlanta Thrashers and San Jose Sharks for most goalies used in an expansion year.
It took Atlanta 33 games to get to keeper No.5 (Scott Fankhouser), while San Jose lasted 78 until Wade Flaherty debuted.
Maxime Lagace, who appeared to suffer a back injury when Deryk Engelland landed on him in the third period, will have a full day to rest up before the Knights' next game.
From the get-go, Edmonton was quicker on the puck. There may be no better example of this than the Patrick Maroon goal which gave the home team a 3-0 first period lead:
1st man in Caggiula doesn't allow Miller to move it forward, Miller gets another chance, but then Draisaitl is there. #LetsGoOilers simply faster on puck than #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/UvKIOg7YgQ
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 15, 2017
It's not all on Colin Miller. Both Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith appear a step behind, respectively, on both eventual setup-man Draisaitl and shooter Maroon.
Pluses
For Vegas, there weren't any positives. Well, except for this guy:
“It’s not the outcome we wanted. But my dream just came true.… —Dylan Ferguson pic.twitter.com/zXAgqBjcl6
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 15, 2017
For Edmonton, well, you name it.
Negatives
This was a competition which seemed finished after 20 minutes.
It was as ugly as it looked: By my count, #LetsGoOilers had 10-2 1st period quality scoring chances edge over #VegasBorn in all situations. Also EDM 14-7 5v5 Corsi
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 15, 2017
The Knights had no answer in the middle frame, as they were outchanced, by my count, 11-4 at even strength.
Anyway, how much tape can you go over when you give up four special teams goals, lose 8-2, and get outchanced 28-9 in all situations?
Vegas will look to forget this drubbing in Vancouver on Thursday night.
Who takes the crease is anybody's guess.
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