There was a bitter taste in the Canadian dressing room that comes when you’re on the verge of escaping with at least a point.
If we go strictly by looks, the team escaped the game when the Golden Knights scored two goals late in the game during a four-minute penalty awarded to Brendan Gallagher. But it’s more complex.
Of course, the locals took a 2-0 lead in the first period, but it was an opportunistic move as the Knights dominated shots on the goal post 18-6.
“We shot ourselves in the foot by losing a lot of the ball in the first half and we can’t do that against a team like that. “They took advantage of it, but they just didn’t score in that phase,” summarized Nick Suzuki.
This is the second time this season that the Canadian has faced the Golden Knights, who won 3-2 in Vegas just over two weeks ago.
“We deserved more in Vegas and tonight we got what we deserved,” Martin St-Louis said.
So sweet
Suzuki is not the only one who has commented on the expensive renovations. Martin St-Louis and Jake Evans also made this point.
“We helped them create offense. We did some good things, but there were too many bad things,” said the head coach, who echoed Evans’ comments a few minutes earlier.
“We tried to play a little too sweetly, especially with our zone exits, and that led to turnovers. They have talented guys who play well together and they can make us look bad,” the player insisted.
According to NHL statistics, the CH was responsible for 12 turnovers in the game.
Thanks, Cayden
Goalkeeper Cayden Primeau played his second game in a week. Under the circumstances, he performed quite well, making 36 saves on 42 shots. The Golden Knights attempted a total of 96 shots, while the Canadians only attempted 51.
“He had a good game, especially in the first one. We gave them seven numerical advantages, which is difficult for a goalkeeper,” said Saint-Louis.
“Without Cayden they would have scored more goals,” Evans added.
Primeau was particularly effective in the first period, where he faced a barrage of 18 shots while his team only fired 6 at Adin Hill.
More comfortable
Speaking of Primeau, the 24-year-old goalie said he felt more comfortable in this game than he did in his win against the Red Wings a week ago.
“My positioning is better, I feel like my feet are well placed and that can help me on the next play.”
Of course, it’s hard to be happy about a 6-5 loss, even if it comes against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
“It’s easy at the moment to look at the result and have a negative attitude, but that’s the beauty of this sport. We can go back tomorrow and see what we can improve and practice there.”