The Golden Knights (2-0) will conclude their three-game homestand at T-Mobile Arena against the Anaheim Ducks (1-0). In their 8 year history, the Golden Knights have had a strong record against the Anaheim Ducks in the regular season, with a 23-7-1 record against them. However the Ducks have won their last three previous games against the golden knights. Anaheim is entering the game after a 4-3 season-opening home win against the San Jose Sharks.
The Golden Knights will start their new goaltender in net , Ilya Samsonov, acquired this offseason from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Russian goaltender ended last season with a .890 save percentage and three shutouts.
The Golden Knights top line with Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Ivan Barbashev are all currently top 10 in the league with points. However tonight it was the depth scoring from the Golden knights that propelled them to victory.
To start the game, the Golden Knights 4th line gets to light the lamp first. Nick Howden picks up Alex Pitrangelos rebound in front, and beats James Reimer to give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.
Troy Terry scored his first goal of the season, tying the game at one for the Ducks. The game remained tied until the Golden Knights got on the powerplay five minutes into the third period. Mark Stone passed below the goal line, finding Thomas Hertl for his first goal of the season, giving Vegas their first lead of the night.
Late in the third period, Keegan Kolesar makes a beautiful defensive play in Aniehems own zone, and Pavel Dorofeyev snipes it past Reimer to put Vegas up a pair.
Samsonov gets his first win in gold and propels the Golden Knights to a 3-0 start. Samsonov did not have a busy night but stopped 22/23 shots and made some timely saves.
“He looks composed in there. I liked his game, I don’t think he was overly busy but there was still saves to be made off good shooters on their team” said Bruce Cassidy post game talking about Samsonovs performance.
The Golden Knights will now hit the road for the first time this season and will travel across to the nation’s capital to take on Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals this Tuesday. Puck drop for that game will be at 4pm pacific time.
Extra stats:
Attendance for todays game at T-Mobile arena 18,027
Shea Theodore plays his 500th career NHL game
