Pirri's Late Goal Lifts Vegas To Victory

In their final home game of 2018, the Vegas Golden Knights churned out a low-scoring victory against the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
Colorado found the back of the net first in the opening frame on the power play as J.T. Compher was the beneficiary of a pass from Mikko Rantanen and the Avalanche claimed the lead. Less than two minutes later, Paul Stastny collected his own rebound and chipped the puck into the net to get the Golden Knights on the board. The second period passed without a change to the score and the teams took the ice for the third level at 1-1. The even contest continued through the first half of the third period but at 10:11, Brandon Pirri gave Vegas the lead with a sharp wrist shot from the left half-wall. Colorado came at Vegas hard in the final minutes, but strong play from Marc-Andre Fleury allowed the Golden Knights to hang on for a 2-1 victory.

TURNING POINT
With six minutes to play in the third period, Oscar Lindberg was whistled for holding and the Golden Knights went to work on the penalty kill. They were successful in extinguishing Lindberg's penalty, but Jon Merrill found himself in the penalty box shortly after with a high-sticking minor. Again, Vegas succeeded in dwindling the clock and the momentum stuck with the home team all the way through the end of regulation.
THE GOLDEN GOAL
After an unsuccessful attempt to gain the Colorado zone, Stastny regrouped for Vegas in the neutral zone. As he gained the blue line, he dished the puck to Pirri who stayed onside as he received the pass. He tried to feather a feed to Alex Tuch in the middle of the ice, but the puck was knocked down by Erik Johnson. Pirri recollected it, wristed a shot at the net, and it found its way through four players as it clanged off the post and in.
TOP PERFORMERS
Paul Stastny:On his 33rd birthday, Stastny recorded two points including the lone assist on the game-winning goal.
Brandon Pirri: Pirri continued his strong play with the Golden Knights of late as he potted his first game-winning goal of the season.
Marc-Andre Fleury: Down the stretch, Fleury was Vegas' best player as he turned aside each of Colorado's bids to tie the game. He finished with 31 stops.
Phillipp Grubauer:Grubauer frustrated the Golden Knights throughout the game as he got in the way of 41 of Vegas' 43 shots.
UNSUNG HERO
Ryan Carpenter was a quiet contributor for the Golden Knights in the win against Colorado. He registered five shots on goal, five hits and clicked at 67 percent in the faceoff circle.
ATTENDANCE:18,505 - this is the second largest regular-season crowd in franchise history.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Knights will have their fathers trip this weekend as they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday before facing the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday to close out 2018.