The Minnesota Wild created a fast-moving storm of goals in the 2nd period. Their first 2 goals came just 66 seconds apart and their 3rd and 4th goals just 19 seconds apart. Four goals in a period, especially the second, is a rarity for the Wild. Coming into the game Minnesota had a deficit of –12 goals in the second in their 18 games. Just two days ago, the Wild were leading the Kings 3-0 and allowed L.A. to tie the game up and force it to overtime. Fortunately for them, Matt Dumba scored with just 0.3 seconds in overtime to slip by with a 4-3 win.

But last night, Mark Stone was having none of that. He literally put the entire team on his back and willed the VGK to a thrilling 3rd period comeback that was sparked by Alex Tuch’s goal with just 42 seconds left in the game and Marc-André Fleury on the bench for the extra skater to send the game into overtime.

Stone also had the primary assist on all 5 VGK goals, setting a franchise record, a personal career record, and a league distinction. He’s now the second NHL player over the last 25 years with five primary assists in a game, following Artemi Panarin on Dec. 8, 2017 (with the Columbus Blue Jackets). Only five different players in NHL history have had a higher single-game total.

The last time Stone and Pacioretty teamed up in an overtime win, it only took them 7 seconds against Anaheim. Last night, it took them 2 minutes before Stone pushed the puck into the offensive zone past a fallen Jordan Greenway with Max Pacioretty trailing the play, Max had been on the ice for over 1 minute and was just about out of gas, but he sucked it up and wisely cut to the middle of the ice, seeing that Stone was going wide and drawing the last Minnesota player toward him. Stone waited until the very last chance he would have to get the puck past the sliding Wild player and put it precisely on the stick of Pacioretty, who slipped it by the Wild goaltender for a stunning come-from-behind 5-4 win.

This win gave the VGK 27 points (13-4-1) for sole possession of first place in the Honda West Division and pushed the VGK 2 points ahead of the Wild. The Wild only trailed Vegas by 1 point coming into the game. The Wild were riding a 6-game winning streak and over the last 4 seasons have dominated the VGK, winning 6 of their 8 games. Vegas has only beaten the Wild one time in regulation; their other win was also in overtime. With last night’s win, the VGK now have a 3-game winning streak, after dropping 2 in a row to the Avalanche.
Much like their last game in Anaheim, a former Wild player came back to haunt them. Alex Tuch was a 2014 draft pick for the Wild and was essentially gifted to the VGK, in return for George McPhee leaving Matt Dumba untouched in the expansion draft. Tuch’s goal with just 42 seconds left in the game created the beginning of the dramatic comeback.

Of course, if it wasn’t for the overtime specialists, Stone and Pacioretty, Tuch’s goal might have been worth 1 point instead of the 2 valuable points they earned by storming back. Stone put on a show last night and it wasn’t to an empty house; 2,600 fans were lucky enough to have deep pockets and a little bit of luck in being the first to see a game at T-Mobile in 363 days. The players really enjoy having the fans there and paid a tribute to them after the game, raising their sticks in appreciation. Mark Stone was close to giddy, waving and gesturing to the crowd post game. He wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to the VGK.

Pacioretty also had a whale of a game, though it may be overlooked, considering the performance of the team captain. Patches had 2 goals, one a PPG that tied the game at 2-2, plus 1 assist and the game-winning goal. Cody Glass opened the scoring with a PPG for himself, the only lead Vegas had until Pacioretty’s goal in overtime.

Since I mentioned a few players who had a good game last night, I should also mention a few who didn’t. Tomas Nosek was returning to the lineup for the first time since Feb 9 and was uncharacteristically out of sync, but that’s to be expected after a long time off the ice, plus a case of COVID and a newborn baby, so his –3 is forgiven. Marchessault was –3, Reaves –2, and Kolesar –2. The official scorer without a doubt left the arena multiple times to get more popcorn and had the VGK with only 1 giveaway for the entire game. He missed a very entertaining game and a lot of Vegas turnovers.

Finally, Marc-Andre Fleury gave up 4 goals and 3 of them were no more than 2 feet in front of him. This is Fleury’s strong suit as his legs are quick and he’s as flexible as Gumby. But last night all the goals but one were from close in. Funny, but the last time Fleury gave up 4 goals, he also won that game against Anaheim on Feb 9 by a score of 5-4.

DeBoer once again put the blender on in the 3rd period, trying to find a spark for his team, and his blender sure knows when to churn it up. It should be noted that the VGK didn’t register a shot on goal until the 11:35 mark of the third. They saved the best for last and you could sense that it was coming. The crowd was as loud as 2,600 could possibly be and I know they had nothing to do with actually scoring the last 3 goals to win the game, but the players were very aware of their presence and the energy that a T-Mobile crowd can create yes even just 2,600 of them

My 3 Stars of the Game: Mark Stone (an easy choice with 5 assists), Max Pacioretty (2 goals ,including the game-winner and a PPG and 1 assist), Alex Tuch (who seems to get faster every game and whose goal in the last 42 seconds set up the dramatic come-from-behind win).

Next game is against the same Minnesota Wild tomorrow at T-Mobile at 7 p.m.

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?

Hague’s goal off of his booming slapshot

Tuch’s goal with 42 seconds left

Winning goal in overtime by Pacioretty