Ryan Reaves, Malcolm Subban (USA Today Sports)
Now that was just what the doctor ordered. With the talented Nashville Predators in town, the Vegas Golden Knights may have played their best game since a road win in Tampa Bay, on February 5th. Vegas snapped their five-game home losing streak with a dominating 5-1 win, over a very good Nashville Predator team.
Heading into the game, Oscar Lindberg and Brandon Pirri were starting to look good, playing on a line together, with Cody Eakin. Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant rolled the dice and split them up for Saturday's game against the Predators, despite taking positive strides in the previous two games, the second of which Lindberg scored in. Pirri was reunited with Paul Stastny and Alex Tuch, while Lindberg and Eakin received Max Pacioretty as a linemate. In true Vegas fashion, the gamble paid off.
Max Pacioretty (USA Today Sports)
Pacioretty finished the night with two goals and both Lindberg and Pirri had one of their own. Juuse Saros was given all he could handle, facing a total of 50 shots on goal, in his first loss of the season to the Golden Knights. Coming into the game, Saros had the Knights' number, winning the first two matchups with Vegas this season. In those two games, Saros stopped 70 out of 72 Vegas shots. In their third matchup, Saros was hung out to dry, yet kept Nashville in the game despite a second period where Vegas put up a staggering Corsi For % of 72%. Through two periods, Saros faced 41 shots, holding Vegas to just two goals.
Juuse Saros (USA Today Sports)
All-in-all, the Predator team as a whole looked disinterested and not ready to play. Nashville wasn't playing as the aggressive, imposing team they have established themselves as. Nashville's reluctance, mixed with Vegas playing a strong, fast forecheck, created a pressure not even Saros could withstand, although he came close. Nashville's lone goal came on a Kevin Fiala breakaway, cutting the Vegas lead to 3-1, but it was soon erased by two quick Vegas goals, from Lindberg and Pacioretty.
Picking up the win for Vegas was backup netminder, Malcolm Subban. Subban picked up the loss in the first game against Nashville, with Marc-Andre Fleury starting the second meeting. Tonight, Subban played a great game, picking up the win in his first start since January 6th against the New Jersey Devils. Due to Subban's high level of play and Fleury's need for rest, Vegas should ride Subban's hot hand on President's Day in Colorado. If Subban is able to maintain this quality of play, it will only help ease the coaches' reluctance to start him. Vegas would be wise to ride Subban as long as possible; increasing his useage provides Fleury much-needed rest, for a playoff run.
Vegas hits the road for their next game, on President's Day against the Colorado Avalanche. Following the Avs game, the Golden Knights return home for a Wednesday matchup against the visiting Boston Bruins. Both games feature their own challenges, but are certainly winable games for the Golden Knights. In an earlier piece, I declared the Golden Knights as not elite, for now. More performances like Saturday's showing against Nashville, will help Vegas regain their swagger and the confidence to be the elite team they once were. Buckle up fam, this push to the playoffs is going to be an exciting ride!
Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@VGK_Buzz) for your Golden Knights news, analysis, and observations.
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»