The Golden Knights aren't just breaking records anymore, they're smashing them.
The previous expansion record was five straight wins; the Knights now have seven in a row, after chopping down the Maple Leafs 6-3 this afternoon. The previous expansion record was nine straight games with a point; Vegas is on a 11-0-1 run.
Just 27 seconds into the final frame, Auston Matthews made it 4-3.
Gerard Gallant admitted, "I got a little scared when [the Maple Leafs] scored that third goal."
Enter Shea Theodore, who swashbuckled through essentially the entire Toronto team, leading to Jonathan Marchessault's 5-3 dagger.
Jonathan Marchessault finishes, but look at this freakin' zone entry by Shea Theodore. pic.twitter.com/8oYiZEkJ3y
— Ryan Quigley (@RP_Quigs) December 31, 2017
"It has to do with the gap and where their dman is, where my speed is," observed the 22-year-old. "I felt like I made a good move to the outside. Threw it to the backdoor."
Marchessault was effusive in his praise:
Shea, from the moment he came in, you knew he was a special dman. When he skates, he's unbelievable. I think he knows that right now. Nobody can touch him.I always tell him, 'When you skate, you open up everything.' He reminds me of a guy like Nick Leddy.
He skates, doesn't get beat one-on-one, always has a good gap. He's been a treat to have on our team.
Pluses
The Golden Knights raced out to a 3-0 first period lead, only for the Leafs to claw back. But after Marchessault made it 5-3, the home team asserted themselves on the forecheck once again. A good forecheck can certainly close out games.
That's Marchessault ambushing no less than the great Matthews.
Erik Haula anticipates that William Nylander wants to go up the boards.
Here, Eakin seems to sneak behind Ron Hainsey to take away the stretch pass.
"I think we got more confidence after [the Marchessault goal]," offered Gallant.
The coach, who constantly preaches playing the same way regardless of score, seemed pleased with how his team finished Toronto's most desperate minutes.
The Leafs also had a ton of trouble in the opening frame. The Knights jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead because of some overaggressive pinches from Jake Gardiner, then Roman Polak.
It all starts with Gardiner's poor pinch and ends w/ Moore losing Bellemare from the blueline in. Subtle thing: Bellemare goes when Moore's back is turned, gives him split-second advantage pic.twitter.com/A2DLF6uy4S
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2017
"To be honest, it goes fast out there. I'm not the most talented guy," said Bellemare. "It's just [my linemates] doing the work. I just hid myself. They kind of forgot about me."
Once again, #VegasBorn transition takes advantage of overaggressive #TMLTalk pinch, Polak gets caught, Engelland beats Nylander in middle of ice, bam
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2017
That's 18 for Wild Bill. pic.twitter.com/cVmoY0op6J
— Ryan Quigley (@RP_Quigs) December 31, 2017
Minuses
Some poor Knights execution and misfortune allowed the Leafs back into the game.
Engelland does good job riding approaching Komarov into corber, but seems to lose edge. This gives Komarov advantage behind net when he passes to Brown in slot, who finds Marleau. Good job by Brown to find soft spot between Theodore and Marchessault, rare Karlsson mistake pic.twitter.com/rwcoNat9V4
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2017
Then, Matthews cut a 4-1 Vegas lead in half:
Tough one there: Nosek misses Lindberg in stride on breakout, Hyman picks it up, gives it to Matthews, who fires it past Subban. Big goal with under minute left in 2nd
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2017
Happy New Year, everybody!
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