LAS VEGAS — In a commanding performance, the Utah Hockey Club triumphed over the Vegas Golden Knights with a score of 6-0 on Saturday night, thanks in large part to Nick Schmaltz, who netted two goals, and Jaxson Stauber, who made an impressive 29 saves.
This shutout marked the 28th time that the Golden Knights have been kept from scoring, and notably, it was only the second occasion where they lost by a score of 6-0, the last being against Calgary on February 9, 2022.
In addition to Schmaltz’s contributions, Clayton Keller, Alexander Kerfoot, Logan Cooley, and Michael Carcone added to the scoreboard for Utah. For Vegas, Ilya Samsonov managed to stop 22 shots but was unable to prevent his team from being shut out.
Takeaway insights from the game include Stauber’s notable achievement of starting for the Utah franchise for the first time, only his seventh career start. The 25-year-old goalkeeper from Wayzata, Minnesota previously recorded a 5-1-0 record with Chicago during the 2022-23 season, showcasing his capability in front of the net.
On the other hand, the Golden Knights faced a tough opening period, being outscored 4-0. This particular instance highlighted only the fifth occasion in franchise history where they conceded four or more goals without scoring in the first period, and it was the third time this unfavorable scenario unfolded at home. As a result, the team holds a record of 0-5 in such situations.
A significant moment in the game occurred right from the puck drop. Just a night after delivering one of their best performances of the season against the league-leading Winnipeg, where the Golden Knights showcased a burst of energy following a five-game road trip, they appeared sluggish at the start of this match. On the contrary, Utah capitalized on their momentum, scoring three goals within the first 10 minutes and 35 seconds.
A key statistic to highlight is Stauber’s flawless performance, as he successfully blocked all 29 shots faced, resulting in the first shutout of his career, a milestone for the young goalie.
Looking ahead, Utah is set to host the Dallas team on Monday night, while Vegas will welcome the Edmonton squad on Tuesday night.
