The team at Adam Kutner Cares gave away two tickets and a Zamboni ride to the Vegas Golden Knights’ game against the Los Angeles Kings last night. For more pics of our winner, head to our Facebook page.
It was New Year’s Day on the Las Vegas Strip and the Vegas Golden Knights welcomed in 2019 with a matchup against the LA Kings.
Vegas looked to add their first two points of the new year and continue their three-game win streak. LA came to town winning five of their last six.
“We caught a team in a back to back and we didn’t let off. We forechecked really hard. We played really hard. We took a lot of their time and space away. I loved the way we played tonight.” -Gerard Gallant, Vegas Coach
The first period was very slow and conservative. LA played their defensive style limiting Vegas’ space on the ice and chances on net. In total, the Golden Knights shot nine times in the first period, and none got past Kings goaltender Jack Campbell. The game was scoreless after twenty minutes of play.
In the second period, Vegas began to take control of the game, especially on the defensive side of the ice. The Golden Knights team defense shut down LA’s offense to just one shot on net in twenty-one minutes of ice time. Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t need to make a save from late first period until two minutes left in the second.
“It is not easy to play those games. I feel like sometimes when you get more shots you just play, it is just easier and you are more comfortable. It is just trying to stay sharp and trying to move around so when they get their first shot you can make the save.” -Marc Andre Fleury, Vegas goaltender
The game remained 0-0 into the third when Vegas’ hottest player Brandon Pirri snapped a top shelf shot to make it 1-0. The man with the golden stick has six goals in seven games this season, and netted his second game-winning goal for his NHL club. Alex Tuch added an insurance goal late in the third giving Vegas a 2-0 lead.
Marc-Andre Fleury secured the game for his sixth shutout of the season and the 54th of his career. Fleury is now tied for the 21st most shutouts in NHL history.
“Yes, absolutely. If someone doesn’t enjoy the journey, this wasn’t your dream to play in the NHL. A kid from Toronto, I’ve been dreaming since I was 2 years old. It’s a lot of fun right now but it just means more work tomorrow.” -Brandon Pirri, Vegas forward
Vegas improves their record to (24-15-4) and tied with Calgary and Nashville for the Western Conference lead with 52 points. The Golden Knights will take a short trip to Anaheim for a one-game road trip on Friday.