The Vegas Golden Knights have a problem: They don't play a full 60 minutes.
Throughout the season, they have struggled to get off to timely starts and only find their game when falling behind by several goals. However, they have managed to score points from most of those attempts. In the 62 games played this season, the Golden Knights have entered the third period trailing by at least one goal in exactly half of them. His record in those 31 games is 6-16-9.
These Golden Knights are nothing if not determined. This cardiac-return method is not a recipe for success; However, it is thoroughly entertaining.
History repeated itself on Wednesday when the Golden Knights played the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. They scored the first goal, but entered the second round trailing by two goals. After an ineffective second period, they were able to tie the game in the third period. And in overtime, Tomas Hertl scored on the power play to complete the comeback, snapping a three-game losing streak, and giving his team a 4–3 victory.
For the first time in three games, the Golden Knights scored first Wednesday, striking just 1:50 after puck drop. Pavel Dorofeyev forced a turnover behind the Red Wings' net, and Mitch Marner found Reilly Smith in the left circle for a short-side snipe.
His strong start could not last long. The Golden Knights did not manage another shot on goal for the next 8:24 of the game, and recorded only seven shots in the first period. The Red Wings tested Adin Hill 11 times and created seven scoring chances.
The Red Wings got the equalizing goal at 5:58 of the first period. Tomas Hertl lost his defensive assignment, and Emmitt Feeney fired a shot from just above the right circle. Marco Casper provided the screen, and Feeney's shot sailed home.
The Red Wings took the lead 15:15 of the first. Brayden Bowman picked off Andrew Copp's pocket to deny him a chance to score, but Simon Edvinsson became active from the point and got to the puck first. Edwinsson stepped into the spot unopposed and defeated Adin Hill with a sneaky wristlock.
The Red Wings increased their lead just 59 seconds later. The Golden Knights tried to break the puck, but Axel Sandin-Pellica forced a turnover at center ice. Lucas Raymond took it the other way, drove into the zone, and found Alex DeBrincat all alone in the high slot. DeBrincat fired a shot from distance that hit Adin Hill at wide receiver.
The Golden Knights fared better in the second period – but not by much. They missed their power play opportunities, but killed the two minor penalties they took. Despite spending a good portion of the period on the penalty kill, they managed to defeat the Red Wings 8–6.
If you looked at the box score, you would assume that the Golden Knights were dominant in the third period; You would be wrong. They defeated the Red Wings 8–7, but gave up 12 scoring chances and left Adin Hill out to dry on multiple occasions. However, Hill was up to the task and made one big save after another.
The Golden Knights got within one at 11:37 of the third. Rasmus Andersson tipped Noah Hanifin's blast from the point, and the puck found Ivan Barbashev next to the crease. Barbashev scored his second goal in a row and his seventh in ten games.
Barbashev's goal gave the Golden Knights some life and they finally started applying offensive pressure. They equalized with 3:24 remaining in regulation.
Mitch Marner forced a turnover, and Tomas Hertl got the loose puck first down. Hertl worked hard for Shea Theodore, who fired a wrist shot. Simon Edvinsson blocked Theodore's shot; Hertl moved the puck behind the net and delivered a centering pass to Marner across the crease. Hertl's pass was found and Marner shot over Cam Talbot.
In overtime, the Golden Knights were unquestionably the better team. They created three high-danger scoring chances, one of which led to a penalty for Noah Hanifin.
The Golden Knights completed the comeback just 19 seconds into the ensuing power play. Mitch Marner found Tomas Hertl next to the crease and Hertl headed in to give his team a 4–3 victory.
This Golden Knights team is far from perfect. They are inconsistent, their defensive positioning is prone to be poor, and they struggle to score in a way that such a talented team shouldn't. And yet, despite all their shortcomings, they have a 29-19-14 record and lead the Pacific Division with 72 points.
Just imagine where they could end up if they could reach their full potential.
