Via the primary two video games of the spherical robin, Golden Knights left wing Jonathan Marchessault was held and not using a level.
His most important impression apart from three pictures on aim got here with about eight minutes gone within the second interval of Thursday’s 6-Four win over St. Louis.
Marchessault was shoved into the web by Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, and the little ball of rage retaliated with a cross-check that negated the rest of an influence play.
However Saturday, a motivated Marchessault scored two targets within the Knights’ 4-Three additional time win over the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Knights earned the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention and can meet Chicago in a best-of-seven quarterfinal sequence. The schedule has but to be introduced.
“I believe it’s one thing we talked about because the starting,” Marchessault mentioned. “We got here right here with one aim, and that’s the Stanley Cup, and we’ve received to take it one step at a time. However we got here right here to take each problem forward of us. We did an excellent job. We needed first seed after the spherical robin, and we received it completed.”
The fiery Marchessault was held in verify via the primary two video games of the spherical robin after ending fourth on the Knights with 47 factors (22 targets, 25 assists) through the common season.
However he transformed a penalty shot 3:02 into the third interval after being tripped on a breakaway by Colorado defenseman Ryan Graves to offer the Knights a 3-2 benefit. It was the primary postseason penalty shot in franchise historical past.
Marchessault patiently coasted throughout the blue line and looped in from the left wing earlier than wristing a shot previous Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
“It was type of a damaged play, as a result of Nate (Schmidt) was popping out of the field there and he was within the zone and he determined to alter,” Marchessault mentioned. “It was type of bizarre that I jumped on the ice and Shea (Theodore) had good place and it was an unreal go. However at this level, that’s in all probability what we anticipate from Shea now.”
Marchessault opened the scoring for the Knights when he battled in entrance on an influence play and redirected Theodore’s lengthy shot from the purpose.
In 16:58 of ice time, Marchessault completed with 4 pictures on aim, two hits and two takeaways regardless of a 35.Three shot makes an attempt proportion at five-on-five, in line with NaturalStatTrick.com.
Listed below are three extra takeaways from the win:
1. Touting Theo
On the Knights’ second aim, Nicolas Roy and Ryan Reaves every fired a shot on web and hacked on the free puck earlier than Roy’s backhand fluttered via visitors and throughout the road.
Theodore was credited with an help although Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov kicked the puck out of the crease through the scramble.
In fact, there’s nothing unsuitable with a bit favorable scorekeeping. Perhaps Theodore is lastly beginning to get some star remedy in his residence nation.
The defenseman from Langley, British Columbia, completed with two assists in 24:05 of ice time and in addition sprung Marchessault for a breakaway that led to his penalty shot.
Theodore has been one of many breakout stars of the postseason with 4 factors in three video games.
“I believed he was elite. And that’s at each ends,” coach Pete DeBoer mentioned. “I believed the best way he defended tonight was incredible. He’s realized to defend along with his ft. I believe I’ve mentioned this earlier than, however I believe this man goes to be within the Norris (Trophy) dialog for years to return right here.”
Added Marchessault: “Shea was good the primary yr with us. However his recreation the place it’s at proper now could be simply, while you discuss prime 10 defensemen within the league, he must be up there.”
2. “Hey, batter-batter”
It was noticeable at instances on the TV broadcast, however there have been a number of stories from media watching the sport inside Rogers Place that the chatter coming from the Knights bench might be heard all through the empty area.
In comparison with the quiet Avalanche, the Knights apparently appeared like a dugout full of highschool baseball gamers heckling an opposing pitcher.
“I suppose while you’re enjoying at T-Cell, it’s type of exhausting to listen to the gamers down on the ice. However in an empty area, it’s in all probability a bit bit simpler,” ahead Alex Tuch mentioned. “We’ve received a variety of vocal guys. I imply, main it off is Marchessault and (Ryan) Reaves, who’re very vocal, whether or not it’s in direction of our bench attempting to pump us up or getting beneath the opposite crew’s pores and skin. You noticed Reaves doing that quite a bit tonight, and I believe little issues like that assist us win.”
3. Huge blocks
Defenseman Zach Whitecloud continues to log key minutes short-handed and helped the Knights kill 5 of Colorado’s six energy performs.
Whitecloud got here up with a key block on Nathan MacKinnon’s drive from the left circle late in Colorado’s first energy play, and he received in entrance of Nazem Kadri’s shot with the Knights down a person halfway via the second interval.
The 23-year-old rookie completed with 4 blocked pictures and performed 6:35 of his 16:27 with the Knights on the penalty kill.
Contact David Schoen at [email protected] or 702-387-5203. Comply with @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.
