On his 10th team in six years, the Golden Knights' fourth-string goalie won his first NHL game.
Maxime Lagacé also became the fourth Vegas netminder to win a game this year in just the club's 13th contest.
The 24-year-old stopped 24 shots in a 5-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre.
Nursing a 5-3 lead with three minutes left in the game, Jonathan Marchessault sprinted the length of the ice, beating Erik Karlsson to negate the icing.
This type of high-motor effort is exactly why Guy Boucher spoke so highly of Gerard Gallant's surprising 9-4 squad:
Hardest-working team in league may be exaggeration, but I think Boucher on the nose abt why #VegasBorn have been successful so far pic.twitter.com/YK7UNrAUUF
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2017
Pluses
Recently, William Karlsson has become the Knights' de facto number-one center:
For now, he's supplanted Cody Eakin, who was topping Vegas forwards in ice time earlier in the season. Karlsson was everywhere this afternoon, for plays big and small.
Good observation by @ShaneHnidy, this Karlsson stickcheck on Pyatt kept puck possession for #VegasBorn, leading to Tuch goal pic.twitter.com/9Sbf4gyu58
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2017
Key play on Karlsson goal: Smith harasses Brassard, then Karlsson swoops in to take the puck, keeps it in. Not much help from Stone pic.twitter.com/5PyIwaWlKl
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2017
Outstanding play by Karlsson, doesn't leave Stone to play Brassard, Brassard pass easily intercepted pic.twitter.com/fmEO2mxb5t
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2017
Even on Marchessault's "Winning Play," Karlsson made a beautiful backhand clear from the defensive zone which went far enough to kill time, but not far enough for icing.
Also, Vegas more-or-less popped in four power play goals -- Erik Haula's first of the night happened right after the penalty's expiration. The Nate Schmidt-quarterbacked unit, which I've been critical of, had little trouble gaining the zone, which resulted in more production.
The Golden Knights managed the puck smartly, limiting the Senators' neutral zone counterattacks off turnovers. Through two periods, they allowed just six even strength scoring chances to the home side, while amassing seven chances themselves.
Minuses
Much has been made of the Knights' third period struggles this season. Their 21 goals allowed in the final frame is second worst in the league.
On the flipside, Vegas has gone into the third with a lead in nine of their 13 games. Cumulatively, they've outscored opponents 32-16 after 40.
This afternoon looked like the same old story, as the visitors entered the third with a 4-2 lead, then ceded another two goals over the last 20.
There's probably something to be concerned about for Gallant, but this is also expected because of score effects. If you aren't familiar, here's some background:
Teams that are up a goal go into a defensive shell; teams that are down a goal play more aggressively and get more shots.It's standard strategy. (Arctic Ice Hockey)
Score effects are a significant presence in the National Hockey League and can cloud any performance analysis. Failing to account for them can lead to dangerous and faulty conclusions (i.e. to win, it helps to be outshot). A team's score-adjusted numbers provide much more insight into a team's calibre of play regardless of the situation. (TSN)
Score-adjusted numbers also better explain the Golden Knights' successful start: Their unadjusted 5v5 Corsi For of 47.2 % is 26th in the league, while their score-adjusted 48.4 % pulls them up to 20th.
So add average talent and four goalies in 13 games to score effects, and the Knights' lopsided goals against in the third period probably isn't as shocking.
Anyway, it's always a balancing act for any team with a late lead. On one hand, you want to get the puck in deep and not take significant risks. On the other hand, just getting the puck in deep becomes predictable -- you want to keep an aggressive mindset so you can take advantage of offensive opportunities which present themselves.
Clearly, Vegas hasn't found this balance yet, but it's not a red alarm concern.
The Golden Knights continue their road trip in Toronto this Monday.
***
and it's believed voluntary retirement from the NHL is how Shipachyov will formalize his exit...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 4, 2017
Once Shipachyov retires, his NHL rights will belong to Vegas up until he’s 35.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 4, 2017
I'll have more about Shipachyov in the coming days, including a shift-by-shift analysis of his NHL career (seriously). ***
Stats as of 11/4/17, courtesy of Corsica, Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick, NHL.com, and Sporting Charts. ++++I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in placing an ad here at HockeyBuzz, then send me a PM!++++