If the Vegas Golden Knights are to bounce again from a uncommon defeat, they need to discover a technique to win in Pittsburgh.
As they start a four-game jap journey, the Golden Knights search for their second all-time street victory in opposition to the lowly Penguins on Tuesday night time.
Pacific Division-leading Vegas had gained seven of eight earlier than falling 6-5 to Los Angeles Sunday at dwelling. Tomas Hertl notched a hat trick for the Golden Knights, who scored at the least 5 targets for the third time in 5 video games.
Nonetheless, Vegas additionally yielded at the least 5 targets for the third time within the final six contests.
“I simply assume for no matter motive, we weren’t attentive to element when the puck wasn’t there,” stated Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. “That is one thing that I imagine will probably be higher (this week). … Simply because we’re higher than that.
“Hopefully, we take it to coronary heart. It may be a humbling recreation.”
The Golden Knights actually have been humbled after they play in Pittsburgh. They have been outscored 21-14 whereas posting a 1-5-0 report. That lone victory got here 3-0 in October 2019.
Nonetheless, Vegas rolled to a 4-0 dwelling victory over Pittsburgh on Friday. Mark Stone had a aim with two assists, Tanner Pearson recorded one in every of every and Hertl, who has 11 factors within the final eight video games, added a helper.
In the meantime, Golden Knights backup Ilya Samsonov made 22 saves in opposition to the Penguins — his second shutout of the season — after permitting 5 targets in every of his earlier two begins. On the flip facet, teammate Adin Hill stopped 29 of 35 pictures Sunday – a uncommon off-night as he had given up a complete of 4 targets in profitable his earlier 4 outings for Vegas.
Destined to overlook the playoffs for a 3rd consecutive season, the Penguins are 2-6-2 at dwelling since Jan. 11. Pittsburgh has yielded 43 targets throughout that stretch, however returns dwelling after salvaging two factors on its three-game street journey with Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Minnesota.
Sidney Crosby had two third-period targets and Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring because the Penguins obtained the most effective of Wild netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, their former teammate with whom they gained three Stanley Cups. Crosby grew to become the fourth participant in NHL historical past to report 17 20-goal seasons with the identical franchise.
“You say it each time he hits a milestone,” teammate Bryan Rust stated. “It is his unimaginable work ethic 12 months in, 12 months out. … Nonetheless main this crew, and this league, by instance.”
Crosby, with 17 factors in his final 14 contests, has 5 assists, however no targets in these six dwelling video games versus Vegas.
In the meantime, it is unsure if Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry will get a second consecutive begin after making 29 saves at Minnesota in his first NHL begin since Jan. 14. Jarry was positioned on waivers the day after that begin and finally assigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the place he performed in 12 video games earlier than being recalled final week.
Penguins starter Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 23 of 27 pictures at Vegas on Friday and has a 4.43 goals-against common and .843 save proportion whereas going 0-5-0 throughout his final six begins.
–Area Degree Media
