If anything worthwhile does end up coming out of this season for the Golden Knights, Monday’s win over the Blues to start what will be a season defining road trip will likely go down as one of the year’s biggest moments.
Logan Thompson made the timeliest save of his young career 30 seconds into the overtime period, denying Pavel Bucenevich on a penalty shot that was rewarded to the Blues after Noah Hanifin tripped Bucenevich on a breakaway.
19 seconds later, it was none other than Jonathan Marchessault who ended the proceedings and essentially ended the Blues wild card hopes, removing one of the other suitors in contention for the second wild card spot in the West that the Golden Knights currently occupy. In addition, the win kept the Golden Knights within two points of the Kings for the third automatic playoff spot in the Pacific Division.
“(Marchessault) is a big goal type of guy,” Bruce Cassidy said after the game. “I don’t think that line had their best night, but he hung in there and got the job done. We’re using him a little more maybe than in the past in overtime, with the goalie out in certain situations, and he tends to respond.”
Cassidy continued, “He’s always going to rise up to the moment. That’s why I love him. No matter if he’s had a great game, an average game, or a poor game, he’s always going to be ready to go when the bright lights are on. Tonight was no different.”
The Knights held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game after a goal by Pavel Dorofeyev gave them the lead six minutes into the game. In fashion typical of this group, they couldn’t just make it easy and in turn ended up giving up the game-tying goal to the Blues with just over five minutes left when Brandon Saad redirected a Brayden Schenn pass into the net.
Marchessault’s overtime winner preserved what was an otherwise solid performance from Thompson, and it was a performance that was not only necessary but one that will also need to be repeated in the wake of Adin Hill’s potential long-term absence looming over the team.
The Golden Knights continue their roadie tomorrow against the Predators in Nashville. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. PDT.
