VGK surrenders three unanswered goals in loss to Blues

The Vegas Golden Knights’ inconsistency on offense struck once more in the new season as the Knights failed to create good looks on goal in a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Vegas drops to 1-2 on the new season following the loss.

“I think there’s a little more onus on us to create offensive opportunities,” Vegas head coach Pete DeBoer told ESPN. “I think the main focus of our group right now is to be able to shut other teams down. We can be hard to play against, and I think that’s where our mindset has to be.”

The offense was lacking as two of the team’s best in Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, both were injured for the game and are each set to miss extended periods of time.

DeBoer said after the game not having either is not an excuse and the offense must pick up the pieces while Pacioretty and Stone heal up.

“We need a better mindset and look at these games like they’re the playoffs for us, DeBoer told ESPN. “Teams who are in spots around Thanksgiving, those are the teams that are going to be there at the end of the year, so you can’t let these losses pile up.”

Vegas’ lone goal of the evening came from center William Karlsson halfway through the first period.

Up next, the Knights will once more man The Fortress and take on the visiting Edmonton Oilers led by phenom Connor McDavid.

Puckdrop is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22.

Starting goaltender Robin Lehner made his third consecutive start, and after a strong first period effort, was figured out quickly by St. Louis.

St. Louis’ Brandon Saad evened the game at one goal apiece for the lone score in the second period.

The Blues were relentless in the third period sending shot after shot towards Lehner, who conceded two more goals to Vladimir Tarasenko and Ivan Barbashev.

Lehner would finish the night with 35 saves on 37 shot attempts from the Blues.

In the other goal, Jordan Binnington had an elite showing with 42 stops on 43 attempts.

The offense did Lehner no favors, and with injuries piling up, Vegas desperately needs someone to step up to avoid an ugly start to the 2021 campaign.