I know last night’s game caused you tohyperventilate a little, or in some cases, a lot. But if you know the historybetween these 2 teams, especially at T-Mobile, it’s never over till it’s over.Once again, a multi-goal lead disappeared and the VGK came storming back. Alate 2^nd-period goal byAlec Martinez trimmed the lead to 3-2. Then they added a 3^rd-periodgoal by Nicolas Roy to tie the game. And when it seemed we were headed for ashootout, they scored an overtime goal on a Jonathan Marchessault wrist shotwith just 18 seconds remaining for the 4-3 win. 

This is the 3^rd-period team weknow, rising to the occasion, even though Robin Lehner was a bit shaky ingiving up 3 goals in the first 2 periods, 2 of which he’d like to have backespecially the one from an almost impossible angle). But Lehnerwas spectacular in the OT period when St. Louis had more than afew grade-A chances to end the game.  

With the win, Vegasremains perfect in 5-minute OTs with a 9-0 record. They’ve won 13 of their last15 games, and because of this, Vegas remains on top of the Honda West Divisionby 4 points over Colorado, which has played 1 less game. Colorado wasvictorious last night in their game against the LA Kings. Minnesota also wonlast night. These 3 teams are separated by only 5 points. Vegas holds the questfor the Division Championship in their own hands. If they win 2 of their last 3games, no matter what Colorado or Minnesota do, they’ll clinch their 3^rd divisionchampionship in 4 years. Impressive to say the least and they’re doing it withtheir leading goal scorer, Max Pacioretty, missing his 3^rd gamein a row. Again last night, the VGK played the game with just 17 skatersinstead of the normal 18. Vegas, which was 0-4-1 in its prior gamesplaying without a full roster has now won the last 2. 

If you happened to be one of the lucky 7,567 whowere in attendance, you got to see 2 teams that may face each other in a 7-gameplayoff series that figures to be entertaining at the very least. Last night’scrowd was the largest to attend an NHL game this year. The city of Las Vegasalways finds a way to be a cut above everyplace else.  

Despite the overtime loss, St. Louis clinchedthe final playoff spot in the Honda West Division. That means that the 4 teamsin this division that everyone picked to make the playoffs in January have doneso.  

Robin Lehner may have saved his spot in thegoalie rotation with his play in the 3^rd period and overtime. He hadlost his 2 previous games and admitted that he has been struggling. AlecMartinez’s goal late in the 2^nd period may have squashed anythoughts of Pete Deboer sending Fleury out for the 3^rd periodjust to change the momentum. But with another game today, that may have beenjust a passing thought. What will be interesting is whether or not DeBoerbreaks the rotation on Monday and lets Fleury play the game vs. Colorado, whichwill have huge implications on who will finish on top. Fleury has earned theright to be in the nets on Monday based on his play, giving Robin the last gameof the season vs. San Jose. 

Robin Lehner made 22 saves for the Golden Knights after allowing6 goals in a 6-5 loss at the Wild on Monday. “It’s no secret that inthe last couple of games, Minnesota and today, I let in some goals that weren’treally good,” Lehner said. “I just took a breath in the second periodand tried to go out there and do my best. We have a special group here. We didwhat we needed to do.” The teams conclude their season seriestoday. Vegas is 5-1-1 against St. Louis so far this season 

My 3Stars Of theGame

1)Jonathan Marchessault (OT goal with time running out for the much-needed win) 

2)Nicolas Roy (3^rd-period goal setup Marchy’s OT winner) 

3) AlecMartinez (1G, which was a big momentum changer with just 10 seconds leftin the 2^nd period. Martinez continued his shot-blocking streakby having a game high 4 blocked shots, the most on both teams) 

Next game is today vs. St. Louis @ 7 PM Pacifictime at T-Mobile  

If you want to hear andsee more VGK content, please check out the podcast I do with Eddie Rivkin onYouTube it’s called “Hockey Knights in Vegas.” Here’s a link toour previous podcast. Enjoy.  

Hockey Knights in Vegas – YouTube 

Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you can 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 at LasVegasAdvisor.com. What better way is there to enjoy your morning coffee than reading my take on last night’s VGK game. 

Martinez’s goal that starts the comeback
Roy 3rd period goal that ties the game at 3-3
Marchessault winning goal in OT