Bowman and Karlsson Make Their Looks Count Against Ottawa
The Senators threw more at the net, but Shane Pinto's lone goal was all they could find in a home win for the Golden Knights.
Vegas beat Ottawa 4-1 at home, and the scoreline hides an odd night. The Senators threw more pucks toward the net, but the Golden Knights got the chances that actually mattered.
Ottawa led in shot attempts, 68 to 57. Many of those never got through, though. Vegas blocked 23 shots, and the Senators put just 25 on goal to Vegas's 29. The better looks belonged to Vegas. By expected goals (how many goals a team's chances were worth), Vegas had 4.66 to Ottawa's 2.96.
Two Vegas forwards stood out. Braeden Bowman scored on three shots in under 12 minutes, playing on a line with Tomas Hertl and Trevor Connelly. He also rang one off the crossbar. William Karlsson made his only shot count. Jack Eichel also scored for Vegas.
For Ottawa, Shane Pinto led the team with four shots and scored the lone goal. Drake Batherson hit the crossbar, one of three crossbars in the game. Ottawa had the extra attempts, but Vegas had the better chances, and the score followed them.