Golden Knights can’t find offense in 2-1 loss to Islanders

ELMONT, N.Y. — New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves in the Islanders’ 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at UBS Arena on Tuesday.

Brandon Saad scored Vegas’s lone goal, while Ilya Samosnov made 12 saves for the Golden Knights (31-17-6), who have lost four straight.

“All these games are pretty close. We’re always missing a little something, and those momentum swings, a little bit like the goal tonight,” forward Nicolas Roy said.  “Obviously, you got to try and avoid that. If we play the way we play in the second, play hard, have no turnovers, and play a good forecheck. That’s the way we got to play.”

Golden Knights Make History

The 14 shots that the Golden Knights allowed were the fewest allowed by the team in franchise history.

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy has said before that most nights, two goals would get the job done, especially when the team limits the opposite team to less than 15 shots.

“We played good. Giving up 14 shots, throughout the season, a lot of times you’re going to be on the better end,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “We just didn’t get in the inside enough, we whacked away, but it’s something that we have to really focus on. We have two games left for the break and, you know, we have to be better.”

Cassidy said the team must continue its strong defensive play to break out of its scoring slump and not cheat offensively to get things going.

Saad Scores

Saad scored the lone goal for the Golden Knights. He roofed a rebound into the net to give Vegas its only goal of the season against Sorokin.

Saad has played well in his first two games with the Golden Knights. The team wants him to be a contributor.

“The other night, he had some looks. He’s an experienced player in the league and has performed well everywhere he’s been,” Cassidy said. “He’ll perform well here, so good for him to go to the net, get a rebound.

“I like Brandon’s game. He did a good job for us. Tried to battle that puck out and get out to the point, but really, again, a lot of good things. “

Lack Of Offense

The Golden Knights have made a concerted effort to the net. Through two games on this road trip, they have three goals on 71 shots.

That number isn’t good enough if Vegas is going to win games on the road.

“We got to score goals,” Roy said. “You’re not going to win games when you score one on the road, or really rarely, so you got to find ways.”