Since Robin Lehner joined the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade last month, coach Pete DeBoer has clarified that the team now has two starting goaltenders. And with Lehner’s impressive play, that luxury is paying off.
“It’s tough but a luxury,” DeBoer said. “The new NHL is trending toward resting goalies and using two regularly, and it’s a great luxury for a coach to have.”
Lehner showed why he was brought in in his second start for Vegas, stopping all 27 shots in his 300th career game as the Golden Knights shut out the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Tuesday night.
“They traded for me for a reason, and I’m just trying to do my best,” Lehner said. “It’s a great opportunity to play alongside Fleury, and I’m just focused on making the most of my chances.”
Lehner earned his first shutout of the season and is now 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage with Vegas. After allowing a goal on the first shot he faced in his debut, Lehner has been nearly flawless.
“I couldn’t let the first shot in again,” Lehner joked. “I’m feeling better with each game, and the guys played great tonight. Things will keep improving as I get more comfortable with the system here.”
William Karlsson scored his 100th career goal; Max Pacioretty notched his 31st of the season. Ryan Reaves added his eighth as Vegas continued its winning, improving to 13-3-2 under DeBoer, who took over mid-January.
New Jersey, which had picked up points in four straight games on their road trip (2-0-2), struggled against one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference.
“It was a disappointing effort,” Devils coach Alain Nasreddine said. “Our execution was poor, and it cost us.”
New Jersey’s goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who had been stellar in February with a 6-0-1 record and two shutouts, made 29 saves but couldn’t hold off the Golden Knights. Blackwood is now 0-2-0 against Vegas this season, allowing seven goals across those two games.
After a scoreless first period, Karlsson set up Pacioretty with a beautiful backhand pass. Pacioretty fired a wrist shot past Blackwood to give Vegas a 1-0 lead 45 seconds into the second period. Karlsson then extended the lead early in the third, scoring his 100th career goal from Nicolas Roy’s feed.
Karlsson, who endured a 20-game goalless drought, now has five goals and two assists in his last five games.
“It feels good to have that drought behind me,” Karlsson said. “Now, I’m just playing and having fun again.”
Reaves added a final goal during a scramble in front of the net later in the third period to seal the win for Vegas.
Game Notes:
- Vegas forward William Carrier played his 200th career game.
- Devils forward Nikita Gusev, originally signed by Vegas in 2019 but never played for them, is now New Jersey’s second-leading scorer with 42 points.
- Vegas rookie defenseman Zach Whitecloud blocked two hard shots late in the game and left briefly for medical attention.
UP NEXT:
- Devils: Host the St. Louis Blues on Friday.
- Golden Knights: Begin a five-game road trip in Winnipeg on Friday.
