The Vancouver Canucks came roaring out of their locker room and scored the first 2 goals on just 4 shots in 5:56 of the first period for a quick 2-0 lead in last night’s game at T-Mobile. But the Vegas Golden Knights responded by scoring 7 of the next 9 goals for the 7-4 win.

With this win, Vegas has won 8 of their last 10 games, improving their record to 9-6-0, all while missing key players that make up almost 1/3 of their lineup to injuries. Alec Martinez was the newest addition to the infirmary list after suffering a facial cut that required in excess of 50 stitches to close.

Mark Stone, who has missed 12 of the previous 14 games, was a welcome sight on the ice for both his teammates and the crowd. Both seemed to be energized just by the sight of #61 at the start of the game. It wasn’t the kind of start Stone was looking for.

“Turned the puck over my first shift for a goal, then took a penalty on the second shift for a goal, so it couldn’t get any worse,” Stone said on his start. “I definitely felt better as the game went on. I haven’t even had a practice really yet. It’s been a long month for me, but I’m excited to get back out there with the guys.”

If you like high scoring and an up-and-down hockey game, you were thoroughly entertained. Robin Lehner called it “pond” hockey — which isn’t known for stellar defense play, evidenced by Vancouver’s 2 goals on just 4 shots. Meanwhile, Vancouver was tagged for 7 goals last night, after giving up 7 goals in their last game on Thursday vs. Colorado. They’ve given up 14 goals on the last 74 shots. The last time Vancouver gave up 7 goals in back-to-back games was Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1997.

After Vancouver scored their first 2, Vegas roared back with 3 to take a 3-2 lead.

It started with Evgenii Dadonov scoring the first of the VGK’s 2 power-play goals with just 14 seconds left in the first period on a 5-on-3. Dadonov’s late goal fired up the team; Reilly Smith scored his 5th goal of the season 5:50 into the 2nd period to tie the game up at 2-2.

Brayden McNabb, who for the 3rd game in a row had a monster hit along the right-wing boards, broke the 2-2 tie with his 3rd goal of the season at the 10:51 mark when Shea Theodore stole the puck just inside the Vancouver blue line and his cross-ice pass found McNabb at the top of the faceoff circle to the right of Vancouver netminder Thatcher Demko and we had our second lead change of the game. If you recall, Demko gave the VGK fits in the Edmonton playoff bubble in 2020, but last night that was not the case.

Nils Hoglander scored for Vancouver with 2:45 left in the second period, sending both teams to the locker room tied at 3-3.

The next lead change occurred early in the third when Jake Leschyshyn scored his first NHL goal on an incredible pass from Dadonov.

The pond hockey continued 52 seconds later, when Nils Hoglander scored his second goal of the game. Jonathan Marchessault scored the VGK’s 2nd PPG and his 100th goal as a VGK for the 3rd and final lead change; it was also Marchessault’s 6th goal in his last 6 games, but his wasn’t done for the night just yet.

In the meantime, Mark Stone finally found his vision on the ice, which he’s noted for. He waited patiently for defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to slide past him, creating an open lane to send the puck to Dadonov, who was gliding in toward Demko. The pass was perfect and so was Dadonov’s shot. Vegas wound up scoring 4 third-period goals. Marchessault scored his 2nd of the game and his 101st goal as a VGK 1:23 after Dadonov’s goal for the 7th VGK goal of the game. It was Marchessault’s 7th goal in his last 6 games. He has stepped up when needed so far early in the season.

Marchessault said something last night after the game that says a lot about how he sees himself as a VGK (Misfit): “Being a VGK is the pride of my career.” That’s a powerful statement coming from a five-foot-nine-inch and 184-pound guy who plays like he’s six-two and and weighs 225. One thing you have to admit is that he plays with everything he has, including the heart of a lion.

Other game notes and quotes. With last night’s win, Vegas is currently in a playoff spot as the wild card and trails Calgary by only 1 point for 2nd place in the Pacific Division.

Marchessault is the first player in VGK history to reach his goal-scaring milestones.

“Obviously, I’m pretty proud of that,” Marchessault said. “I take a lot of pride in playing for the Golden Knights and being here since Day 1. Working hard every night, trying to help my teammates win a hockey game. VGK is the pride of my career.”

“Tonight wasn’t the prettiest game for us,” Marchessault said. “I think we could’ve done a better job in the first two periods, but good teams find a way to win.”

The Golden Knights scored seven goals or more in a game for the eighth time in their history; the most they’ve scored is eight in their second season, Nov. 27, 2018, vs. the Blackhawks; the VGK won that game 8-3. William Karlsson scored the game-winning goal on the power play.

For the first time in 10 games, the Canucks scored first, as J.T. Miller scored on a breakaway, moments after Michael Amadio missed a wide-open net on a 2-on-1.

It was just the third time all season the Canucks had scored first in a game.

My 3 stars of the game: Evgenii Dadonov (2G, including a PPG and 1A), Jonathan Marchessault (2G, including a PPG and his 101st goal as a VGK), Jake Leschyshyn (1G, his first in the NHL, and 1A)

Next game is Tuesday November 16th vs. Carolina at T-Mobile 7 pm Pacific Time

Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you may contact me directly at [email protected] or on my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or on Twitter @TheRealJoePane

One other note: If you’re reading this blog from Facebook or Twitter and would like to access it earlier in the morning before I share it on social media, it’s usually published by 8 a.m. the morning after a game on LasVegasAdvisor.com. What better way is there to enjoy your morning coffee than reading my take on last night’s VGK game.

Dadonov 5-on-3 PPG

Dadonov’s second on a pretty pass from Stone

Leschyshyn’s first NHL goal

Marchessault’s 100th goal as a VGK and the GWG