Blues Sanford four-goal effort not enough as Golden Knights win in OT, 6-5.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Mark Stone #61 and Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights react after Stone assisted Marchessault on a power-play goal in overtime to defeat the St. Louis Blues 6-5 during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

By Henry Nery
EBC Sports International

LAS VEGAS, NV — There was no shortage of goals in the match between the St. Louis Blues and the Vegas Golden Knights as both teams scored 11 total. Blues forward, Zach Sanford had his first-ever hat trick en route to four-goal game. The Golden Knights countered as forwards, Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Marchessault, scored two goals each, one of which was the game-winning OT goal. The Golden Knights went 4 for 5 on power plays, a key to their victory over the Blues.

Both playoff teams that have been struggling as of late, with the Blues and the Golden Knights coming into the match at under .500 in their last 10 games.

The first period of play featured five goals in which St. Louis Blues forward, Zach Sanford and Vegas Golden Knights forward, Max Pacioretty each had two goals a piece. The Blues led the Golden Knights 3-2 at the intermission.

The second period featured Sanford scoring his third goal, and marking his first career hat trick at 5:13. The Blues were now up 4-2 on the Golden Knights. Lots of back and forth action took place with scoring chances on both sides. However, both goalies, Vegas’ Malcolm Subban and the Blues’ Jordan Binnington held their ground.

Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues makes a save against Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Alex Pietrangelo #27 of the Blues defends in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

In the waning minutes of the period the Vegas Golden Knights went on their third power play. One minute into it, forward Jonathan Marchessault, scored to bring Vegas within one goal. At the end of the period, the Golden Knights were still trailing the St. Louis Blues 4-3.

Could the Vegas Golden Knights come from behind again like they did in their last meeting? It didn’t look like it at first, however, third period action did not disappoint as back and forth action was intense. Five minutes into the period, the St. Louis Blues committed a penalty and the Golden Knights were once again on the power play. A minute into the power play, Golden Knights defensemen scored the tying goal.

Zach Sanford #12, Tyler Bozak #21 and Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues celebrate after Sanford scored his fourth goal of the game against the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Blues 6-5 in overtime. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

The St. Louis Blues went on a power play, however they failed to score. Just seconds later, Sanford scores his fourth goal of the game, and the Blues were back on top 5-4. The Vegas Golden Knights would answer back with forward Alex Tuch’s goal with 4:40 remaining in the game. The game would eventually go into overtime tied at 5.

The Vegas Golden Knights once again went on the power play and Jonathan Marchessault, scored the game winning goal, his 2nd of the game, and the Golden Knights defeated the Blues in OT, 6-5. The Golden Knights had 52 shots and went 4 for 5 on the man advantage. The Blues has 25 shots and went 0 for 2 on the power play.

Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights is mobbed by teammates after he scored a power-play goal in overtime to defeat the St. Louis Blues 6-5 during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Next up for the Blues (32-15-10, 74 points) are the Predators in Nashville while the Golden Knights (29-22-8, 66 points) continue their home stand against the New York Islanders on Saturday.

(Eagle News Service)