The Vegas Golden Knights ended 2018 in style, and they began 2019 in similar fashion.
After taking down the Arizona Coyotes 5-1 in Gila River Arena Sunday night, the Golden Knights faced off against the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth time in less than a month. And for the second time in a row, the Golden Knights came out on top against their division rival.
Despite a mammoth of an effort from Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, the Golden Knights managed to solve the 26-year-old early in the third period, courtesy of a power-play goal from — you guessed it — Brandon Pirri.
Credit to forward Ryan Reaves, who, had he not leaped over Pirri’s shot like a gazelle, may have inadvertently blocked the sniper’s one-timer aside.
That Brandon Pirri fellow sure is something, isn’t he? The 27-year-old has posted nine points in just seven games with the Golden Knights this season, and in his nine total appearances with the Knights dating back to last season, he’s only been held pointless in one game — Vegas’ contest on Dec. 29, which was also against the Kings.
Campbell, Pirri’s latest victim, faced 47 shots on the night and turned away 46 of them. Not too shabby for a guy whose last action came nearly two months ago on Nov. 10.
Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had a pretty good performance as well. And though he only wound up facing 17 shots, the 34-year-old had to be on his toes, particularly in the third period when Tyler Toffoli blazed past the Vegas defense for a breakaway opportunity.
Fleury now has six shutouts on the season, bringing his career total to 54, tying him with Bernie Parent and Ed Giacomin for 21st on the NHL’s all-time list.
Don’t look now, but the Golden Knights have won four straight games since the holiday break. And remember that demoralizing 7-2 loss against the Calgary Flames back in November? Well, the Knights now have a 15-3-3 record since that little fiasco.
Perhaps the Golden Knights should send the Flames a thank you card?