Fansided

NHL 20 Simulation: Red Wings Blow Lead to Golden Knights

By John Manzo |
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: Dylan Larkin (L) #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates with the puck against William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Red Wings won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: Dylan Larkin (L) #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates with the puck against William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Red Wings won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

We continue our NHL 20 video game simulation series with the Detroit Red Wings on a back-to-back, taking on the Las Vegas Golden Knights after losing 5-2 to the Arizona Coyotes.It played out exactly like the casino, so fitting it was in Las Vegas.

Do you know that feeling when you go to the casino and hit big early? I’m sure it’s rare, but occasionally it happens, but then you get greedy and start playing a little more.

That profit slowly dwindles and you walk out the doors with empty pockets smelling like a pack of Marlboro Menthol and a little bit of scotch.

Naturally, that’s what happened to the Detroit Red Wings Saturday night in Sin City when they jumped out to a 2-0 lead before giving it all back to the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Detroit has history of playing well against the top teams in the league this season, and it felt like another road victory was on its way after forward Dylan Larkin ripped a one-timer early from Anthony Mantha, followed by a put-back goal from Christoffer Ehn.

Ehn has been a video game sensation for the Red Wings, scoring three goals in four games.

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With the lead 2-0 halfway through the game – and Jimmy Howard getting a rare start and turning back the clock – the team fell apart.

Former Red Wings forward (and currently retired veteran) Thomas Vanek bit his old team in the butt after being signed randomly by the Golden Knights in this made up season of ours.

He scored first, and then the stars came out.

Alternate captain Max Pacioretty tied the game shortly after Vanek’s goal to deadlock this one after two.

Then, forward Paul Stasny ended it early in the third with a one-timer that zipped past Howard. The Red Wings were unable to score late – even with a six-on-four advantage – after a penalty to Mark Stone with less than two minutes to play and Howard  on the bench.

The Red Wings have now lost all four simulated virtual games since the postponed season, but will look to get back on track Tuesday after a cross-country trip back east to Boston.

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