Karlsson nets game winner for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche

Karlsson nets game winner for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche

VGK gets a third period push and scores twice to take a two to one preseason victory over the Avalanche. More ahead on this edition of Locked on Golden Nights. Your Locked On Golden Knights, your daily podcast on the Vegas Golden Knights, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Hi again everyone from Las Vegas. Tony Kredasco and Chris Collic. Thanks for making us your first listen every day. You could find us wherever get your podcast. Please subscribe to our Lockdown Go the nights YouTube channel. I’m a longtime sports cer, a marketing consultant and the host of the new Believe in Vegas podcast. New show coming up this week probably today featuring NASCAR driver Ross Chastain. And Chris is the owner of Silver State Cards and Sports and the host of the New Hockey News Collectible Show with Chris Golick. Ahead on today’s show, we’re going to be talking about Mitch Marner getting a look on the second line with Hurdle and also there’s a good competition going on for perhaps a final roster spot. Don’t forget that you can catch us each and every day on Silver State Sports and Entertainment on the network. And that’s SSN. Tune in at 1:00 daily, Monday through Friday. It’s on YouTube TV or Coxcable Channel 77. We are brought to you today by FanDuel. Go to fanduel.com and get things started. So Chris, um, start off here with VGK having that very strong push in the third period. A lot of chances. They slowed down the avalanche. VK dominated in shots on goal and in ozone possession time. Uh, that was a pretty good clinic that they put on in the third period. And at one point we saw VGK out shooting Colorado 21-2. 21-2 in a span of 25 minutes 30 seconds and it resulted in two goals in the third. Braden McNab with the blast and then it went off of Brett Hen and the go-ahead goal from William Carlson from Smith and Stone. That line had a ton of energy on the forche. Bruce Cassidy calling it a greasy goal. And I would never ever in my wildest dreams associate a greasy goal with that trio. That’s funny. Um, we’ll talk more about the goal in a little bit, but just general perspectives. Um, number one, this was a better hockey game. You had both lineups basically playing 80 to 85% of what you’re likely going to see on opening night next week. So, it’s good to see. I mean, this is a game that the teams both want to win, right? Last night’s game, whatever it is, what it is, but a game like tonight, both teams want to win or at least put their best foot forward and come out of this game feeling good. Golden Knights, I think, should come out of this game feeling good about themselves. More shots on goal, you like to see a higher shooting percentage, but that’s not how the NHL works all the time. As long as the Golden Knights are winning more games of this nature, it’s going to be just fine. Um, then Avalanche, same boat. They want to win that game too and they couldn’t find a way to uh match BGK’s pressure. I don’t think the travel mattered the backtoback. I think that was absolutely irrelevant in this. So good to see the Golden Knights win one of their two dress rehearsals Friday. It’ll be a very similar lineup I think. And I think you have the visualizer on this goal. Yeah, I can pull it up right now. Yeah, that would I just want to key in on the third goal here first. The third goal the goal the go ahead goals. So sec second VGK goal but third goal. overall. Exactly. Saying the same thing here. Yeah. All right. There we go. Boom. All right. Here we go. So, I like the work that goes into this goal here. So, right here, Stone pressures Mar Puck winds it behind the net. Riley Smith. Just quick turnover. And then what I love here is you got the pass to Mark Stone. We’re going to look at this one more time here and I’m going to stop it when we get close. But Mark Stone makes an awesome just veteran play right here. Most people when they get the puck right there in that spot, you can see Mark Stone, he’s one-on-one with the goalie. He’s right. There’s nothing else right there. Most NHL players are going to shoot this puck right there and not even realize that you have a shooter, a left-handed shooter sitting right there waiting for it. And then Stone just push it ac pushes it across first. You got a nice block by Colorado and then William Carlson is there to take it up. goal wasn’t on on uh William Carlson’s side. It was more on Riley Smith’s side, but definitely a guilt by association for uh for number 71. There you go. That’s awesome. And they should have shown him like on his knees there getting the the shot off. Uh you know, VK, I think the premise here in the preseason is to just put the puck on net. Doesn’t matter if it goes in because again, they were so inaccurate. so inaccurate in the playoffs last year. Yeah, I mean obviously goals got tough to come by. Edmonton played good defense. We talked about Leon Dryidle’s impact on on that series as well, neutralizing uh what Jack Eel did a lot. Eichel also had a decent series slowing down Conor McDavid. So, you know, it was uh it was better coaching, I think, by the Edmonson Oilers, but that’s neither here nor there at the moment. Um definitely a lot more shots. Uh what were the final shot totals? 33 uh 32 to 22 and you felt that some games when Yeah, pardon me. Some games when you do have that shot disparity, it feels 32 is 32 shots. Is that enough? Oh, yeah. 30 shot. Anytime you’re at 30 shots, that’s enough. I mean, you’re hopefully you’re going to achieve, you know, a 92%, you know, shot uh goal percentage conversion, whatever terminology you want to use right there for for three or four goals. I mean, three goals is going to win you most regular season hockey games. Four obviously is the target cuz most overunders are between five and a half and six these days. Um, but three goals should be safe. Although, again, some concerns about the Golden Knights D and everything. We’ll see if that winds up being enough, but three is a fair target. Three to2 hockey will win you will get you comfortably in the playoffs and set set you up for playoff success. Brett Hen said last night after the game that you could feel a different type of energy with that many starters on the ice. So things are starting to shape up. They’re starting to come together for VGK by playing. Yeah, 100%. I mean, last night was a look at, you know, it was basically minus one D pairing and a couple of the fourthline players and we’ll talk about the the competition for one or two roster spots later on today’s show. Um, but that also will fuel the energy. You’re going to see players, you know, giving it as much as they possibly can to to make that that final impression. Although the real work happens at City National, but getting noticed, you know, scoring a goal and things like that are nice. And you got like Brett Hton’s goal just getting in uh getting in traffic. McNab waits to fire that puck and then Howen tips it from, I don’t know, about 18, you know, 20 feet out, making it nearly impossible for the goalie to quickly react to that. I think it might be a concern just from my perspective. Okay, it’s preseason. You don’t want to really weigh too much on it. But VK in the preseason has not scored the first goal and you’re chasing goals again and that’s something that Bruce Cassidy does not want to do and to me that might be a little bit concerning. Like to see them get off to a quicker start. Yeah, I mean obviously once the regular season comes that’s a different story. Um, on the flip side, Cassidy has complimented VGK’s ability to respond. And when I say respond, it’s not simply first shift over the boards, go out there and get that goal back. That’s something that Cassie talked a lot about during the Stanley Cup run is that at first, you know, the team the second the other team scorers, okay, let’s get it back next shift. They’re pushing too hard. But the team, there’s a lot of poise. I mean, a lot of veterans, a lot of leadership, a lot of championship pedig pedigree obviously with the Oh, he said pedigree. There you I wanted I wanted to cut you off there cuz somebody that’s fine buzz word. Um but yeah, so the Golden Knights will play with a lot of poise in the event. They do not score first, but you’re not going to see a lot of panic. That said, if you know in an 82 game season, if you’re getting if you’re getting that first goal, you know, 50 plus times, that’s also a concern. It’s a concern to me because again, that second period for VK was not so good last season. So, if you get down early in a game that second period, let’s see if they can just turn things around this upcoming season. I’m concerned. Yeah, 100%. I mean, second period obviously is uh a concern for any team at times. The Golden Knights have been absolutely remarkable in the second period and at times it’s been a little bit ugly and hopefully uh it’s hopefully it’s not going to be the latter. Hopefully it’ll be a nice strong second period with the long change. Akira Akira Schmid in net last night. He allowed that Gabe Landisk goal in the first and then he settled down on that goal. Poor positioning. Gave up the post on the short side and the glove side. And Landisk just put it by him. He faced 22 shots and he saved 21 of those shots last night. And four power play shots he saved. That was it. And good uh job by VK because the first power play they gave up the four shots and then again they settled down and made some adjustments there and VK no shots on power plays again. Shots on goal 3222 hits in favor of VK 32-19. Mitch Mner played on the second line last night with Brandon Sod and Thomas Hurdle. Was their chemistry? We’ll tell you about it next right here on Lockdown Golden Knights. The NFL season is here and FanDuel is making sure that you are ready for kickoff with this can’t miss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5. If that bet wins, you’ll receive $300 in bonus bets that you can use across the app. There is some Thursday Night Football happening this week. It’s the Rams 6 and a half as they are favored over the Hobbled Hobbled 49ers and the total on that game on Thursday night is 47. And you could jump into the game. We love to use FanDuel again because you could bet on whatever you like there. Player props, building the same game parlay, or you can even jump into the live action as it unfolds. And it’s quick, it’s easy. It’s the best way to add a little bit more spice and energy to your Sundays or Thursday nights, if you will. So, are you ready to play? Download the FanDuel app today. You can visit fanduel.com to get things started. That’s fanduel.com to place your first $5 wager. Welcome back on this edition of Lockdown Golden Knights. Tony Kasco, Chris Golick reporting from Las Vegas. We appreciate you tuning in. Wherever you might be, our everydayers, you are the nucleus of this darn show. And don’t forget, uh, we’re on SSN. You might be watching us there right now. And any comments on the YouTube channel, anywhere you’d like, of course, on our Twitter at Lockdown Golden Nights, you can check it out. So, do that. Leave some comments. And tomorrow is WTF day. WTF? Friday already. WTF to that. Yeah, WTF to that WTF. Someone pointed out that William Carlson in his postgame presser, haven’t checked it out yet, had his um athletic supporter like behind him. Unbelievable. Uh reminds me of when uh Keegan Kasar in trouble. I can’t talk too much about that, but there was something inappropriate. It was so inappropriate. It was so inappropriate. Uh Mitch Mner, he had some good moments on Wednesday night as he moved to the second line in the absence of Jack Eel. He put a shot, rang the post early on in the game. We saw some elite passing skills, but to me, Chris, the jury is still out on whether there was chemistry with Tomas Hurdle centering the line. Yeah, I mean, so stat watching, right? I think this is the first thing I’ll look at here. Um Mitch Mner uh logs two shots on goal. Brandon Sad logs three shots on goal. That tells me that Sad uh was finding the puck or the puck was finding Sod. He was finding uh or Mner was finding Sad. Mner was finding No, 100% but soft ice as well, you know. Um Hurdle no shots on goal unfortunately. And he also had a minute 50 on the power play. So you’d like to maybe see that number uh go up a little bit. Um I think it’s more just about that different look. Right now, Eel doesn’t skate tonight. Um, no issue there. Just I’m sure he’ll skate on Friday. No problem. Nothing to sweat. Um, but again, we’ve talked a lot about where Marner will play up and down the ice with the Golden Knights. And it’s going to start with Jack and and Mitch. We know this that that’s uh, you know, I don’t know if I agree with it, but that’s how it’s going to start. And again, I will keep banging the drum. I wish I could have seen at some point this preseason uh, William Carlson with Mitch Martyr. Yeah. Uh, and I never thought that Hurdle and Mner, I didn’t believe myself, I’ve said it throughout the summer, too. I didn’t think that this would be a good combination. I didn’t. Uh, we have said, you know, again, perhaps Carlson, but Carlson last night, man, the pass was that on the power play to Carlson uh from Marner Mner at the point and he just couldn’t handle the sauce. He didn’t really get get a shot on net. I think he tried to pass it inside the crease to Stone um and just couldn’t connect. But it’s about the chemistry at this point and let’s see if they can develop more chemistry in the next few days prior to the big opener here next week. So the the jock strap has been solved at your half right here. It’s uh it is a jock strap, but it’s not William Carlson’s. He’s in front of Cole Reinhardt’s locker room stalls. So there you go. Right there. How do you Does it have Reinhardt’s number on it? How do you Yeah. No, the mystery uh the mystery uh has definitely been solved here. Here you go. We can uh let’s see here. Is every is everything okay with Jack Eel? Um he just There you go. See it right there. Yeah, I can’t Okay, that’s enough. Yeah. Okay, enough of that. We just We need to be thorough on this show. We need to make sure we’re uh We’re reporters. We’re covering all the details here. We’re report Yeah. BK working on its details and so are we. Yeah. There. Exactly. So, no. I mean, now you’re talking about Was there a concern with the chemistry, Tony? What was the question? No, you missed the point. Is everything okay with Jack Eel because he was a scratch in the game last night? No, Jack doesn’t need the extra preseason game. There’s no problem there. Um, again, it’s about limiting limiting risk, limiting, you know, listen, Mitch Marner, we need to learn what he can do at game speed. And last night was game speed. Last night was definitely game speed. And you need to learn how MNER can compete with people besides Jack Eel. We know Mner is a great player. There’s not never going to be a question of that. But Mner needs to be a great player with someone besides Jack Eel. And so Coach Cassidy just uh you know pulled a number out of hat and said, “Okay, Tomas Hurdle, it’s your night with uh with Mitch Mner. Let’s see how this goes here.” And I think Marner can adjust to you know any situation. Ick. Is that what that says? Yeah, you’re showing us the pictures there. You didn’t have to go there. the illustrator. I was being thorough, Tony. I was being thorough. Case of the X-Man or it’s too early for this stuff. We did see Eel and Colton Sizzins last night which was really nice. Yes. So, they were all suited up. There’s no dress code. They’re still suited up. I think they’re going to go on the suit side there. If V if you know you’re VGK it feels like a Foley thing. Yeah, I know. Carlson said he likes to play dress up right before walking into the arena so they could get some good money. Sure. And they also have some some some apparel deals I’m sure too wearing this stuff. So whether whether they simply get to, you know, like Vanna White who got to keep her wardrobe, you know, and maybe it’s the same thing or they get a little little kickback, you know, it’s all good. Yeah, you saw my clothing deal, but it was nice that they met with first responders. They were up in the suits and uh shaking hands and greeting a lot of the first responders, which of course uh they paid tribute to last night there at T-Mobile Arena. So, that was good. I just wanted to make sure. Uh it’s crazy how well Mitch Mner can see the ice on the power play. It’s amazing. He creates space and then I don’t He does shoot at sticks. I I give him a lot of credit. He would have broken through. Of course, he hit the post and then uh was it I think it was Kale Mar right on that hooking penalty on sort of the breakaway late in the game. Would have liked to have seen MNER get to the net and and score goal. Looked more like a jab in the unpleasant region than anything right there. What what Macar did, but yeah, I know I know the play you’re talking about. Um just real fast moment. Uh went to pick up some dinner. Uh where did we go? Uh Cafe Rio no close but not close. Cafe Rio and a couple of I don’t know what their what their jobs were, but they were wearing Vegas Strong shirts and you’re someone right behind me. Oh, thank you, Vegas Strong. And it it sparked an interaction of some sort. So, it is nice to see the Valley remembering and honoring one another and everything. And I mean, there’s there there’s no right words to to go here, but it is nice to see these interactions, I guess, is all I’m trying to say there. But yeah, I mean, a lot to like about the game. a lot to like about the situation and it’s it’s go time now. I mean, we’re we’re less than a week away to when the games actually matter. Friday’s preseason game will be fun on the night that celebrates Taylor Swift’s album release at an NHL. Oh, that’s not WTF. I got I jumped the gun. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The showgirl, man. That’s going to be Yeah, that’s going to be fun. Oh, here to credit on credit. I don’t know if you if you had this here, but uh Henderson Silver Knights free parking. Oh, positive mood. No ick for that. Major showgirl night. Showgirl night. No. Good job, Silver Knights. I’ve spent a lot of time dragging the business side of what happens in Henderson. Have you ever This is a very positive mood move and hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. So, glass half full. Good job, Silver Knights. Yeah, definitely a really good maneuver there uh to regain fan interest and then I think they have a much better team this year. They should be more competitive. They came together. A lot of players we talk about the lack of development, but you know down on the farm, but they’ve done a good job in getting that roster uh I guess composed or composition. Roster compos composed is a good word. Icing composition. I kept going there. I forgot the word. Okay, up next, some jobs are on the line and McCrimman, McI, and Cassidy had yet another chance to evaluate some of those players on the bubble. We’ll talk about it next right here on Lockdown Golden Knights. Welcome back from Las Vegas and Lockdown Golden Knights. We’ve got words today. We have words. We do. I don’t know if they’re the right ones, but uh yeah, and I apologize to Chris for talking over him so much the last couple of shows. I’m chatty. I’m definitely chatty. You’re Don’t forget tomorrow is WTF day. Uh go to our uh Twitter handle. Go to YouTube uh TV and of course you can do that on, you know, the SSSEN feed or our own YouTube channel locked on Golden Knights. Leave comments. Anything good or bad about VGK on Fridays. It’s what the Friday that edition right here. uh as we have mentioned during this preseason with the absence of Pavore FIFA Alexander Holtz he’s making a push to make the roster. Let’s first talk about Holtz. He’s on a PTO or personal try out and to me I still can’t understand to this day why he has not signed the offer sheet that BK presented to him. He’s an RFA and restricted free agents have until December the 1st by 2 PM Pacific time to sign. I would think that signing on a tryyout basis is leaving a lot of money on the table. So no way no way as a PTO player he’s making more than if he signed that that offer sheet. It’s something that I I really can’t comprehend. I think Holtz wants a situation. I think Holtz and as we transition this to the competition side of it, Holtz has played 163 NHL games as a 23 year old. That’s that’s something in itself right there. Um, a lot of experience. He was a number seven overall pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. So, you certainly see someone with a high ceiling, although the New Jersey Devils were happy to cut ties with him for for Paul Carter. So, what does that tell you right there? Not knocking Carter, but simply saying that Holtz did not necessarily work in New Jersey. You had an okay moment there. I mean, 82 games in 23-24, 28 points primarily as a third and fourth liner. That says there’s some upside there, but the Devils didn’t see it that way. And then Holtz plays 53 games with the Golden Knights last year, only getting 12 points, minus three. Um, so like what are you getting with Holtz, I guess, and how this transitions to his contract? I think Holtz feels that he’s not in a spot to necessarily want to be with a Golden Knights organization who doesn’t see him for the player that he might be. So now this gets this muddy weird contract thing and offer sheet and whatever is exactly happening. I still don’t know to this freaking day exactly what’s happening. But what I can say is Holt seems to maybe be taking a fresh approach, a new a new beginning and everything. you do really see him putting in a very strong effort where maybe last year he did come in feeling, you know, chip on his shoulder. He’s going to be an everyday, you know, NHLer with a really good Golden Knights team. And I think now he understands that he’s trying to earn a roster spot. And a lot of times at the game we were at last Thursday night when Holtz was out there, I think Holtz might have played every preseason game so far. Um, but I think a lot of the games when I saw Holt or a lot of the situations with you’re looking and there’s a player right in the middle of everything like who is that? He’s moving pretty well and you see 26 on the back like, “Oh, that’s Holtz. He looks pretty good.” So, Holtz, I think definitely of the four players we’re about to highlight, I think, has the inside track, but I could make a case for at least one or two other players on that list. There are a lot of PTO players in camps. Milan Luch, it comes to mind now with the Blues, was in the player assistance program a season ago, so he’s making a run. Uh, one of Chris’s favorites, James Rhymer with the Maple Leafs. You try to earn a contract is what you do with a PTO. But I’m still a little bit confounded on Holtz reportedly receiving a contract offer, not signing it, coming in as a PTO. Uh the fourth line, the fourth line last night. I like the shrug. Uh the fourth line last night, uh pretty much competing against each other. Yeah. And you know, you had Raphael Lavois, you have Cole Schwint and Cole Reinhardt. Two Coals. And well, I thought they got Cole like in their stocking last night. If you’re evaluating these players, why are they only playing 10:14 for Lavois, 941 for Cole Swin, who had four hits on the night. Cole Reinhardt, 914. A big hit. He got sent to the locker room there from Parker Kelly and then he took out uh Bardikov, that big dude. He sent him down the tunnel. I never saw him again. But is that enough truly to evaluate these players? Not a lot of ice time. Again, the like we talked about Marner in the second segment and everything, the the work is happening at City National. What’s happening at the games has I don’t know what what percentage split, but I would guess about 80 to 85% of the decision-making process is happening at City National. watching what these guys are doing 38 minutes into an hour of practice and watching how hard they are grinding at every single moment. And listen, in a game, a situation might present itself to get us get a goal or a scoring chance. And that does not overshadow the work that’s being put in. If Holtz would have scored two goals last night, that would not have made him that would not have elevated him as much as people would think. Sure, he scored the goal on on the NHL ice. is exciting, but at the end of the day, it’s all the grinding that’s happening at City National. And well, we’ll just go with what we know off Coach Cassidy right now. Let’s assume there’s no contract concern if Alex Holtz does wind up winning the competition here. Throwing the contract side out of this here. We know Coach Cassidy, experience, time of service, games played is a big thing with him. Holtz 163 NHL games. He hasn’t really fit in anywhere, but again, 163 NHL games. Um, Ralph Lavois, which someone I think I I like his upside, but again, he’s a 25-year-old basically rookie still, only played 16 NHL games. Cole Reinhardt is also a 25-year-old with 18 NHL games. So, now we that leaves us with Cole Schwint, who I am still shocked every time I look at this. 42 games with the Golden Knights last year, Cole Schwint played, right? Played up and down the lineup and around and everything else. And he was the invisible man. Seven assists. A goal and seven assists. Yeah. but he just was mostly invisible, you know, in my book last season. Out of Lavois, Schwint, and Reinhardt, those three, who would you say makes the team or makes the roster gets the most activity plays? I think it’s Schwint just knowing how coach Cassidy operates, but I think Lavois probably offers greater upside for his ability to grind, his size, and I I think Lavois looks better as a third liner where I don’t don’t think Cole Schwinton should be on the fourth line to have maximum impact on the game, if that makes sense. All three of those players had one shot on goal last night, so that was good. They got a little bit of action and I guess more evaluation time. Very little evaluation time. Oh, by the way, Jeremy Lausan back on the ice yesterday. That’s great news. Do you think he’ll be back for opening uh opening night next week? I mean, I hope so, but obviously Hutton is more than ready. Hutton, let’s go Hutton. We love Hutton, but do you think he’s had a good camp real fast? I don’t know. I haven’t paid enough attention. I don’t have I wish I had a better answer. Okay, I’ll stop talking over you. We appreciate everyone tuning in, especially our everydayers tuning in around the world. WTF day tomorrow and we hope that you chime in for my man Chris Gollic. I am Tony Kredasco from Las Vegas. Have a great day everyone. See you tomorrow right here on Lockdown Golden Nights.

William Karlsson scored a third-period game-winning goal for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. VGK looked good in a preseason game that featured primarily veterans on both rosters. Mitch Marner got a look on a line with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad. Competition is heating up for a couple of roster spots as training camp is down to its final days.

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