The Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes wrapped up their season series on Saturday night in Glendale. The Coyotes beat the Knights the night prior in a game that did not have many positive outcomes for Vegas, so the Golden Knights looked to flip the script tonight.
They did so in the first two periods. The Golden Knights blew a two-goal lead in the third period but were able to fight back in overtime for a much-needed win.
Jonathan Marchessault, who missed last night’s game, scored the game-winning goal in extra time.
IT’S MARCHYMANIA BRRRRROTHER 📣 pic.twitter.com/dsqyqxrtJC
— x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 2, 2021
Marc-Andre Fleury secured win No. 489 to tie Roberto Luongo for third all-time.
The game got off to a quick start, and minutes into the game, the Golden Knights’ penalty kill was put to the test. Reilly Smith was whistled for hooking, but Vegas was able to kill it without much of a problem.
The Golden Knights received their own power play as Dylan Sikura was cross-checked in the corner. Vegas was unable to capitalize on the power play but scored just seconds after the man advantage expired.
William Karlsson was credited with the goal after it went off his skate and over Coyotes netminder Darcy Kuemper.
is this a “GIF” or a “JIF” pic.twitter.com/gl2gnNVuLJ
— x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 2, 2021
Marchessault made a great pass to Karlsson to finish off a great shift by him, as he hit the post in the latter stages of the power play.
The Golden Knights had a dominant period, outshooting Arizona 16-3 and holding a 25-11 edge in Corsi at 5-on-5, but they were only able to score once.
The Golden Knights killed yet another penalty early in the second, which marked 21 in a row. Then, minutes later, Stone sent one past Kuemper after some great passing from the entire first line. The goal was No. 20 on the season for the Golden Knights’ captain, the seventh season in a row that he has reached that mark.
The Golden Knights went to another power play but were not able to capitalize on the opportunity. They kept the rest of the second period very low-event and took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.
The Golden Knights got an opportunity early in the third period with yet another power play. This one went by the wayside, but they were able to generate a much more competent attack this time around.
But the third period belonged to Arizona.
The Coyotes broke the shutout bid for Fleury at 9:04 in the third to cut the Vegas lead in half.
Very shortly after, Vegas gave up a 2-on-1 chance, but Fleury came up with a huge save.
The Knights went to yet another man advantage, looking to snap their power-play woes, but they were unable to do so. However, the Knights took several penalties in the third period, and one proved to be costly as the Coyotes cashed in.
The goal evened up the game with just over five minutes left in the game, and it snapped the Golden Knights’ impressive penalty kill streak in the process.
The Coyotes got yet another power play with around three minutes left that was somewhat undisciplined from the Golden Knights, but Vegas took care of business to force overtime, where they’d have a chance to make up for a sloppy third period.
It was back-and-forth action in overtime, but Arizona took a very costly penalty for too many men, awarding Vegas a 4-on-3 power play.
But finally, the power play came through.
Marchessault, who took the undisciplined penalty late in the third period that led to the game-tying goal, made up for it by burying the game-winner on a one-timer just over three minutes into overtime.
It was a great time for the power play to come through, lifting Vegas to the 3-2 win.
Vegas finishes the season series with a 6-2-0 record against the Coyotes, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the West Division.
The win helps Vegas maintain a four-point lead over Colorado, though the Avalanche still have a game in hand.
The Knights collapsed in the third period but found a way to win, coming away with the important two points.
However, the Knights could be without Max Pacioretty, who did not play in the third period due to injury. Pete DeBoer did not have an update on his status following the game.
The Knights are hopeful he will be with them as they travel to St. Paul to take on the Minnesota Wild on Monday.