Tuch, Fleury help Golden Knights beat Flames 2-0
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alex Tuch and the Vegas Golden Knights made the most of their chance to atone for an ugly loss.
Tuch had a goal and an assist in his 100th career game, and Vegas beat the Calgary Flames 2-0 on Friday.
The Golden Knights avenged a 7-2 loss at Calgary on Monday, when the Flames opened up a 5-0 lead after just one period. The visit to Vegas marked the first time Calgary has been shut out this season.
Colin Miller scored his first goal of the season, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in his fourth shutout of the season. It also was the 52nd shutout of his career, moving him into sole possession of 24th place on the NHL list, one shy of Nashville's Pekka Rinne.
"It was a good slap in the face in Calgary," said Fleury, who earned his 415th career victory. "It's good that we got to face them quickly in front of our crowd and got the win."
Fleury also started Wednesday at Arizona and made 19 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Coyotes.
"I thought we bounced back good in Arizona, we got the win there, it was a close game, too," Fleury said. "Sometimes things have to go right to get a shutout. Most of the night I could see the puck right, our guys in front played good, too."
James Neal, who scored the first two goals in Golden Knights history, made his first trip back to T-Mobile Arena as a member of the Flames. He received a warm reception from the crowd of 18,206 and finished with three shots on goal and four hits.
"The fans are unbelievable, I loved playing here again," Neal said. "Just great memories here, it's one of those things that you never forget. It was a quite a run that we had, a special bond with the guys. It's an emotional comeback for sure."
Calgary goaltender David Rittich made 26 saves after entering with a six-start win streak and an 8-1-0 mark on the year.
Tuch put the Golden Knights in front 16 minutes into the second period when he deflected Cody Eakin's wrist shot from the point. Miller extended the lead early in the third period when he launched a blistering slap shot from the blue line that beat Rittich on the stick side.
Since opening the season 0 for 16 and ranking last in the NHL on the power play, the Golden Knights have scored 14 goals in their last 60 chances with the man advantage.
"It's nice to build momentum off a good divisional win against Arizona, but a slap in the face on Monday will really get you going," Tuch said. "It feels weird (to play) 100 games, but you know what, I'm just really happy to get the win."
NOTES: Forward Reilly Smith extended his point streak (one goal, five assists) to four games after assisting on Miller's goal. ... After missing the first three games of the season, Eakin has recorded 13 points (eight goals, five assists).
UP NEXT
Flames: Visit Arizona on Sunday
Golden Knights: Finish a back-to-back at home, hosts San Jose on Saturday.
