It’s Knights’ night at LCA as Wings lose 4-3

DYLAN LARKIN IS BACK (and so is Michael Rasmussen).

That’s all the pregame I’m worried about, so let’s recap that hockey.

1st Period

Red Wings cause some trouble in the Vegas end to start the game with Ericsson pinching and for once not getting caught doing so, but nothing to show for it. Vegas not able to keep the puck in the Wings zone at all during the first 5 8 10 minutes.

AA dekes Colin Miller out of his pantaloons but there was just enough of a block for his shot to miss, great to see him on the wing where he belongs (imo). Ehn also gets a nice break in, punching another hole in the Vegas defense.

Vegas gets their first show on goal with 9 to go in the period but James didn’t come here for those games.

Abby makes a little backhand flip shovel shot toward Fleury from in close which he bobbles and then Nyquist honks it in the net. 1-0 Red Wings with 8:20 left in the first.

4 minutes to go and we have the first penalty of the game (Reilly Smith, hooking) and Wings go on the powerplay! Mantha takes a shot that bounces off of Fleury’s mask that rang his bell but did not light the lamp. Penalty killed :(

There goes the horn and Wings lead 1-0 and lead on shots 14-4.

Mickey Redmond Moment: “-everything they did was sprinkled with pixie dust.”

2nd Period

Please excuse me for a moment, I have to go on Twitter and be outraged about the penalty called on Dylan Larkin, who would NEVER. And because of this absolutely blasphemous penalty call, Vegas scores tying the game 1-1. Goal scored by Julius Caesar’s LEAST favorite player, Jonathan Marchessault.

Larkin attempts revenge but AA overskates the puck and looks to the lord for guidance, but I’m not sure if Zetterberg is in the building tonight.

5 minutes in and another chance on the powerplay as AA is high-sticked by Paul Stastny. The powerplay was not good. Karlsson and Stastny, fresh out of the box, just ruin Jimmy Howard’s life, Vegas goes up 2-1 on the ol’ out of the box give and go rush. Nothing Jimmy could do about it but watch his soul flee his body.

Beware the ides of Marchessault, he scores his second of the game halfway through the period and the good news is that the universe could end at any moment. Vegas up 3-1.

Red Wings get their third powerplay opportunity of the game with 6 minutes left in the period. Will they do something good? AA will miss a wide open net again.

We did get to have 70-71-72 on the ice at the same time, so that’s fun. The Jeff Blashill Bingo Wheel O’ Doom is up and spinning.

The period ends, we’re losing 3-1, everything is terrible but not the worst because like having to fight 100 tadpole sized Tyler Bertuzzis might actually be worse.

You just never know with these sorts of things.

Mickey Redmond Moment: Ken Daniels asking if Mickey Redmond remembers a Bare-Naked Ladies song and Mickey Redmond just says “that sure was a group wasn’t it”.

3rd Period

Another penalty call just three minutes into the period! Abdelkader is tossed into Fleury which also takes out Jensen and Max Pacioretty heads to the box. A chance for us to close the gap to LGD OT? YES IT IS! RASMUSSEN SCORES!!!! 3-2 Wings! Flashing those #silkymitts and I have never seen Rasmussen show that much excitement. Must be the attempt at a beard he’s growing giving him emotion.

Jimmy Howard showing why he’s elite making another big save to keep the score 3-2 with 14 minutes to go. Fleury makes his own big save as De la Rose sets up Rasmussen point blank.

Red Wings on the penalty kill as Frans heads to the box. Jimmy makes a snappy save and the crowd rouses themselves enough to cheer for it. Helm gets a shorthanded chance showing he still has some wheels left, but no go. Wings get the kill, still down 3-2 halfway through the third.

And then, Wings go down 4-2. WE HAVE THEM RIGHT WHERE WE WANT THEM.

5 minutes to go and Red Wings are trying, they really are. Vanek gets a great chance on an empty net but Fleury gets there, and then stops Vanek again with a sliding save*.

Third time is the charm, Vanek scores with 2.7 seconds left for the moral victory.

Wings lose 4-3. :(

*Ken Daniels Moment: REFERENCING THE FLEURY SAVE ON LIDSTROM. NOT NOW KEN. NOT EVER KEN.

And then they showed the highlight.

Worst.

Birthday.

Ever.