Tһe funk for Vegаѕ ѕtretcһeѕ to four gаmeѕ, а 5-4 ѕһootout loѕѕ to St. Louіѕ

Brayden Schenn had a goal and was credited with the Shootout winner for the St. Louis Blues in the 5-4 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Nathan Walker, Jake Neighbours and Cam Fowler scored in regulation for St. Louis who have won three of their last four. Jordan Binnington had 28 saves in the winning effort.

The loss makes it four in a row, even though the extra point puts Vegas back in sole possession of the Pacific Division lead with 62 points. Four different Golden Knights players scored in regulation, including two in the empty net by Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev. Adin Hill had 24 saves in the losing effort, the third loss in his last four starts.

The first period felt like a collection of moments from the road trip all quilted together. There was the sluggish start out of the gate we saw in Nashville; the goaltending bailing Vegas out again until one mistake turns into 1-0. In this case, it was Brayden Schenn beating Hill off a (maybe?) deflection from Alex Pietrangelo’s stick.

Then there was the lively jolt of energy we saw from the Golden Knights in Chicago a couple of nights ago after they gave up the first goal, getting five of the next six shots before Tomas Hertl’s 16th goal tied things up. Also like Chicago, sloppy play late turns into a goal by Nathan Walker and a 2-1 St. Louis lead; all the good was built up in the 10+ minutes before it crumbled to dust.

The second period saw Brett Howden wake up (finally!)

In the second, the Golden Knights started a little better with the first couple of shots of the period. That positivity, unfortunately, lasted about 6:31 before Jake Neighbours beat Hill with a snapper on the top corner to make it 3-1, Blues.

54 seconds later, Brett Howden would answer with his 16th goal capitalizing off a juicy rebound from a Shea Theodore shot to make it 3-2. Much like the first period, Vegas showed some life and tried to get another past Binnington who looked sharp up to that point. But again, much like the first period, a late heartbreaker of a goal--this time from Caw Fowler--put the Golden Knights back into the hole.

For most of the third period, it looked like it would be another game of endless clawing out of the hole without ever seeing the top of it. The shots were even, but not threatening until Jack Eichel’s hammer of a goal in the empty net (his first since January 4th against Buffalo) provided some proper life.

Then, with 29.4 to go, Dorofeyev came on and tied things with an authoritative slapper in another empty net situation. For the first time in awhile, there was a legitimate sense of hope in the air for a Golden Knights win.

The overtime had its usual spills and thrills, with Mark Stone nearly winning it late in overtime if not for the shoulder of Binnington. As for the shootout, there was a little bit of hope thanks to Jack Eichel who scored after. Unfortunately, Dorofeyev had his third-round attempt stopped by Binnington; and another potential comeback thwarted by six inches.

Next on the Marquee:

Vegas is back for round two with these same Blues Thursday night in St. Louis at 4:30 P.M. This loss hits differently than the others. It wasn't just because of the point Vegas snagged or Eichel and Howden finding the back of the net. Instead, it was the life the Golden Knights showed late in the game. It was something that was missing in Chicago and Carolina. If they can harness that energy for a full 60 minutes, they can finally fully break through this funk and then some. Until then…