Golden Knights Handle Avalanche, 5-1

The Vegas Golden Knights notched their second win of the preseason with a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
Vegas came out of the gates strong and grabbed a 1-0 at 6:05 of the first. Brandon Pirri whipped a wrist shot from the right side that beat Semyon Varlamov five-hole to put the visitors up by a goal. The Golden Knights held that lead after the first period and added to it early in the second. Erik Brannstrom took a pass on the rush and snapped a wrist shot by the glove of Varlamov to put Vegas up by a pair. Alex Tuch added a power-play goal late in the period as he finished off a perfect passing play from Oscar Lindberg and Paul Stastny. Ryan Graves got the Avalanche on the scoreboard early in the third period, but Reid Duke's goal at 10:52 of the third put Vegas back up by three. Erik Haula added a late goal for Vegas as he one-timed a pass from Stastny into the back of the net to cap the night off at 5-1.

TOP PERFORMERS
Erik Brannstrom: Brannstrom posted a goal and an assist for Vegas, including the game-winning goal on a perfectly placed shot at 1
Tomas Hyka: Hyka assisted on both of the Golden Knights' first two goals.
Paul Stastny: Stastny had two assists in the game and wore an "A" in his first preseason game for the Golden Knights.
Zach Fucale: Fucale made 24 stops in his first game in a Golden Knights uniform.
FROM THE ROOMErik Haula
On playing with Paul Stastny...
It was good. We talked a lot on the bench and it felt natural. He's pretty easy to play with and that's a good sign.
On potential of playing with Stastny and Max Pacioretty when the season starts...
That's the thing: we have to work hard and do the little things right. We definitely have the determination and skill to get it done.
Erik Brannstrom
On his comfort on the ice...
I felt better today. I was a little bit nervous the first game here, but I felt better today, more comfortable out there.
On how playing with established NHL players benefits his game...
It's easy playing with them. They've played a couple NHL games in their years so it's so easy to play with them. They know where you're going to be and always see the pass on the rushes.
Gerard Gallant
On the team's play in game two of the preseason...
From the start to the finish, it was a real solid game. The exhibition games don't really mean a lot for wins and losses, but we've played two great games so far.
On having Haula and Stastny play together...
So many times, the winger is the first guy back. When you've got so many centers, they can stay down low and they're both smart enough to read off each other.