Final: Golden Knights 3, Bruins 1

LAS VEGAS -- The Bruins concluded their first road trip of the season with a 1-2-0 record after dropping a 2-0 decision in the first-ever game against the Golden Knights on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.

To make it worse, former Bruins prospect Malcolm Subban made 21 saves in the win for Vegas. He was placed on waivers earlier this month before the Golden Knights claimed him. He was thrust into action after starter Marc-Andre Fleury was placed injured reserve with a concussion.

Bruins forward Ryan Spooner suffered a lower-body injury during the second period and did not return. Depending on the severity, it could be an opportunity for the Bruins to recall a player from Providence.

Patrice Bergeron did not return to the lineup and remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury.



"We know Malcolm can make athletic stops, so it's volume of pucks to the net," said Bruce Cassidy before the game. "Force him to control his rebounds, force him to stay focused. A bit with what we did with (Louis) Domingue (on Saturday), get second chances, throw some pucks from angles at him and work to get inside. Our guys did a good job of that."

Forward Frank Vatrano returned to the lineup after one game as a healthy scratch. He replaced Austin Czarnik.

Cassidy said he liked Czarnik's game on Saturday, but the reason Vatrano did not play was because the coaching staff thought it best for him to watch from press level as a learning tool.

"Up there watching hopefully he learns a little bit about the all-around game, and how to play away from the puck and hopefully gives us a spark," Cassidy said. "Czarnik was fine, but again, he's a role player right now, and he may get back in the lineup and when he does he'll have to keep pushing to get permanent status."

Observations from the third period

Spooner suffered a lower-body injury and will not return, per Bruins.

Too many defensive breakdowns by the Bruins allowed the Golden Knights to prevail. It was the second period that impacted the Bruins' loss as the team drops to 2-3-0.

Defenseman Adam McQuaid needed to be helped off the ice with 5:45 remaining in regulation after he took a shot off the right leg near the knee area. If he's out for any significant amount of time it will hurt Boston's blue line. He's been steady.

Observations after the second period

Obviously the Bruins want a healthy Bergeron in the lineup, but Riley Nash is fitting in well on that line with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Nash is a straight-line player and solid at both ends of the ice. He's forced a few turnovers and usually wins those 50/50 puck battles.

David Krejci is such an underrated defensive player. Late in the second period, the Golden Knights caught the Bruins' defense out of position and Vegas could have generated a scoring bid, but Krejci broke up the play, gained control of the puck and was able to clear it unscathed.

Tim Schaller blocked a shot early in the period and went to the locker room. He was able to return.

Spooner also went to the room in the second and did not return. Not sure if it's related, but he took a stick to the face in the first period.

Observations after first period

Rask is dialed in. He faced only four shots in the first period but two of them were timely saves.

Playing an up-tempo game, the backcheck is extremely important, and to a man, the Bruins have been effective the last four periods in that category. Marchand made a tremendous play during a shorthanded situation and stifled what would have been a breakaway and a quality-scoring chance for Reilly Smith. Marchand caught Smith, lifted his stick, broke up the play and quickly transitioned.

In order for the Bruins to enjoy success, the bottom six need to produce. That was the case on Saturday against the Coyotes, and it's the same in the opening period against the Golden Knights. The grinder line of Tim Schaller, Sean Kuraly and Danton Heinen was strong again, especially on the forecheck.

Matt Beleskey is finally starting to hit the last two games. When he's physical, he's effective.

McQuaid is a steady defenseman. Some fans may not like his playing style, but he's solid in front of Rask.

When Pastrnak has his legs, he's so much fun to watch. His creativity is off the charts.

The Golden Knights like to rim the puck a lot, which makes Rask come out of the net.

Zdeno Chara's been called for two penalties the last two games after getting beat.

Here are the projected line combinations and defensive pairings: 

Forwards

Marchand-Nash-Pastrnak

DeBrusk-Krejci-Bjork

Beleskey-Spooner-Vatrano

Schaller-Kuraly-Heinen

Defense

Chara-Carlo

Krug-McQuaid

Miller-McAvoy

Goalies

Rask

Khudobin