The Las Vegas Golden Knights split the second season series against the Anaheim Ducks, after being shut-out for the first time this season. Outside of the action, the Knights unveiled a Chinese new-year warmup outfit, along with a brand new golden helmet. Unfortunately, no luck quite yet while wearing the golden lid.
A scoreless first frame, featured Anaheim controlling much more of the puck than Las Vegas. The Ducks outshot the Knights, twelve to four in the first period yet still could not find the back of the net. Partially due to shots missing wide, partially due to passes not getting tape to tape but also because of a couple of great saves from Marc-Andre Fleury. The biggest stop of the first period had come right after the Ducks had killed their first penalty of the game. The puck had been misplaced in the defensive zone of Las Vegas, to be picked up by Jakob Slifverberg who fired a wrist shot to be saved by Fleury, who then later found himself making another sprawling save on Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, stopping a backhand opportunity.
Chances would finally come down the other end of the ice, as Ducks goal-tender John Gibson finally got some work in helping the Ducks blank the Knights in the second period. Las Vegas would generate a few more shots this period, Max Pacioretty’s chance to put Las Vegas on the board went wayward, a rare botch for a red-hot Pacioretty who had come into this Ducks series scoring a point in every single game. Pacioretty would be held pointless in both games against Anaheim this time around.. Alex Tuch would have a snap-shot blockered away by Gibson and Anaheim would defend their defensive zone after a push back from Las Vegas. Penalties would also come in this frame, Las Vegas through the first forty-minutes went 0-2 on power-plays. While also losing a man-advantage during a power-play due to Jonthan Marchessualt abusing officials leading to a ten-minute misconduct. The four on four action resulted in no goals scored. The play of the second scoreless period was Fleury robbing a two on one chance of Issac Lundestrom, the cross body stop took away a sure-fire go-ahead-goal.
In a third period that had felt like each rarity of a chance would speak volumes towards the outcome of the game, Anaheim was finally able to cash their check. Max Comtois, beat Fleury at the 7:42 mark, his sixth of the season, fourth against Las Vegas, would go down as the game winner. With about 1:12 remaining in the game, coach Peter Debore called on the extra attacker. The Knights had plenty of chaotic chances in front of Gibson, yet all turned away as Gibson recorded his third shut-out of the season.
The Golden Knights split the second series with the Anaheim Ducks, falling to still a very impressive record of 8-2-1. Anaheim moves to 6-6-3 and they remain a floater team of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Honda West division. Las Vegas will welcome the Colorado Avalanche (7-3-1) for the first series of the season on Sunday.
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