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Golden Knights Dominate the Blackhawks, 8-3

November 28, 2018, 5:04 PM ET [7 Comments]
Jeff Paul
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT

USA TODAY

Wow! That was something to behold. Vegas came into Chicago to start their three-game road trip and made a statement. Their current win streak is no fluke and shows no sign of slowing down. Last night's 8-3 domination of the Chicago Blackhawks certainly speaks volumes. Sporting a season- long four-game win streak, the Golden Knights now look like a team to watch out for in the Western Conference.

From the start of the game, Chicago showed some jump and threatened with some high- danger chances. Much to the chagrin of The Blackhawks, Marc-Andre Fleury simply refused to lose. Big save, after big save were made by Fleury throughout the contest.

It is truly remarkable seeing the bounce back of Fleury since being asked to waive his No Movement Clause, allowing Vegas to draft him. Between losing his job in Pittsburgh to the newcomer Matt Murray and his declining stats make his return to elite status in Vegas that much more impressive. Fleury is definitely celebrating his 34th birthday today with a smile on his face. If it weren't for the high level of play of forwards Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin, Fleury would be the unquestioned MVP so far this season for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Speaking of Tuch and Eakin, the second forward line for the Golden Knights has been electric. Eakin, Tuch, and Max Pacioretty have been putting up points at a great rate and have had a positive impact in each of the four wins in Vegas' current win streak.

Depth scoring has been an issue early on this season for Vegas, but since the emergence of the second line, it hasn't been as pressing of an issue. Coming into the game, the only real question marks regarded the third line. Everyone else was clicking for the Golden Knights.

Recent addition from the AHL and current third-liner, Daniel Carr opened the scoring, beating Corey Crawford just two minutes and ten seconds into the night, for his first goal of the season. Linemates Tomas Nosek and Ryan Carpenter picked up their respective second and fourth assists of the season. Third line production is a welcome addition to this team and it looks like replacing Tomas Hyka with Carr is reaping its benefits.

Vegas would go on to scare two more goals in the first period Courtesy of Tuch(8) and Eakin(9). Chicago had the edge in shots going into the first intermission, 11-9.

Chicago showed some life to start the second with an early goal from Gustav Forsling at :29. Willian Karlsson got that one back six minutes later on the power play, with Shea Theodore and Eakin picking up assists. Newly acquired Dylan Strome scored Chicago's second goal of the night at 11:16 of the second period to cut the Vegas lead to two goals, but the feeling of a comeback was very short-lived. Ryan Reaves (tip) and Theodore would each tally a goal by the time the period ended.

Vegas, heading into the third with a 6-2 lead, probably could have taken the period as an opportunity to get Malcolm Subban some much needed game time, but instead stuck with Fleury. Chicago was outshot 21-9 in the second and did not have the look of a team that could even the score up, with five goals in the last period.

Vegas would go on to utterly dominate the third, as evidenced by a 13-4 shot difference. Theodore and Eakin each scored their second goals of the evening, within the first ten minutes of the third period, putting the game out of reach. Chicago (Erik Gustafsson) eventually scored a meaningless third goal with 4:45 left on the clock, but the game was long gone by that time.

An 8-3 thumping of the Chicago Blackhawks was an ideal way to start the roadtrip for Vegas. All four lines scored for Vegas, displaying the scoring depth they despirately needed, during the rougher parts of this season. At the same time, they were able to chase Crawford from the game and limiting the Hawks' stars on the scoresheet (Toews/Kane - 1 assist each). They will look to carry this momentum into Vancouver on Thursday night and stretch their win streak to five games. It seems as if the 7-2 massacre in Calgary really got this team going and they are once again, a threat to win, night in and night out. They now look like the Vegas Golden Knights of 2017-18, a team capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.

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