Fleury exits early as Knights beat Canucks, 4-1
Golden Edge: Fleury exits game early, Knights beat Canucks
Updated March 20, 2018 - 11:50 pm

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) attempts to score as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter (40) and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) watch the puck slide by during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Erik Haula (56) gets tripped up by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler, not pictured, during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar (90) and center William Karlsson (71) go after the puck against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter, left, reacts after a goal by Golden Knights center Cody Eakin (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) falls to the ice with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) and center Sam Gagner and during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights players celebrate a goal by center Cody Eakin (21) against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) passes the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar (90) tries to keep control of the puck as he falls to the ice as Vancouver Canucks left wing Jussi Jokinen (36) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

The puck flies between Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) and goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) as Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights fans celebrate a goal by Golden Knights left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, not pictured, against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant, in blue, watches the action as his team plays the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar (90) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing David Perron (57) controls the puck against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Cody Eakin (21) controls the puck against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) controls the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) moves the puck against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler (23) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) fights for control of the puck against Vancouver Canucks right wing Darren Archibald (49) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) controls the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

The Golden Knights ice crew during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) lines up a shot against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) gets scored on by Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault, not pictured, during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Michael Del Zotto (4) knocks down Golden Knights left wing David Perron (57) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) attempts to score as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) eyes the puck as it flies past Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derrick Pouliot (5) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves (75) hits Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) against the glass during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar (90) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights fans celebrate goal by left wing Tomas Tatar, not pictured, during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, third from left, celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with left wing Tomas Nosek (92) and defenseman Brayden McNabb, second from left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) watches the puck as Vancouver Canucks left wing Brendan Leipsic (9) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar (90) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights fans celebrate a goal by center Cody Eakin (21) against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) watches the puck as Vancouver Canucks left wing Brendan Leipsic (9) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Game No. 73 for the Golden Knights was well on its way to being another humdrum victory for the home team.
All that changed after 20 minutes.
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was replaced after the first period Tuesday, and the concern over his health overshadowed the Knights’ 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks before an announced crowd of 18,214 at T-Mobile Arena.
“I haven’t heard nothing yet,” Knights coach Gerard Gallant said when asked after the game for an update on Fleury’s status. “The trainers told me he’s not coming back tonight.”
Jonathan Marchessault scored for the first time since Feb. 23, and Cody Eakin and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also scored in the first period for the Knights (47-21-5, 99 points).
Tomas Tatar added a second-period goal, his second since being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline.
Malcolm Subban made 21 saves in relief of Fleury, who earned his 402nd career victory to moved into 12th on the all-time wins list.
“I was just trying to take every save one by one,” Subban said. “The guys made it pretty easy for me. A lot of the shots were from the outside. There wasn’t too many hard shots so that made it easier.”
Fleury appeared to take a shot from Vancouver’s Brandon Sutter off his mask midway through the first period but remained in the game and finished the period with seven saves. He was not on the Knights’ bench to start the second period.
Fleury missed 25 games after suffering a concussion Oct. 13.
“I think it was more of a precaution,” Marchessault said.
“I just saw Subby starting to get ready so I realized that all right, (Fleury) was not going to come back,” Bellemare said. “At this time of the year, it’s better for him probably to just let (Subban) go in and relax the last two periods.”
Subban made his first appearance since Feb. 2 at Minnesota. He injured his hand during the pregame skate Feb. 8 at San Jose and was activated from the injured-reserve list last week.
Subban made 11 saves in the second, including two stops in the opening minute of the period. Sutter broke the shutout when he beat Subban from a tight angle 8:27 into the third period.
“That’s a tough job, second goalie like that,” Marchessault said. “He came in, looked great. He looked like he didn’t lose a beat. He was really good for us.”
The Knights maintained their eight-point lead over San Jose in the Pacific Division and sent Vancouver (25-39-9, 59 points) to its seventh consecutive loss.
The Knights scored on two of their first four shots and used their speed advantage to overwhelm the Canucks in the opening 20 minutes.
Marchessault opened the onslaught with his 23rd goal when he cut through the slot and one-timed a pass from William Karlsson past Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom at 3:56.
“The last few games I’ve had some good chances,” Marchessault said. “It’s a long season. The puck’s not always going to go in for you. But I’ve tried to do the right things at the right time and tonight I got rewarded.”
Eakin scored 57 seconds later to give the Knights a 2-0 lead, and Bellemare put the Knights up 3-0 with 32.9 seconds left in the first when he one-timed a feed from Tomas Nosek after some good work down low by the fourth line.
“I thought we were in control of the game all night tonight, and that’s real fun,” Gallant said. “And that’s the way we were playing when we were playing real good at home. … I just like the way we started the game.”
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.