Despite a slow start on the power play this season, the Vegas Golden Knights knew their special teams would come through eventually. On Sunday night, they proved it.
Paul Stastny scored two power-play goals, and Max Pacioretty added another with the man advantage, leading the Golden Knights to a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
“We want to be capitalizing on the power play or at least getting some sustained pressure,” said Pacioretty. “The last couple of games, we weren’t converting, but tonight, we had good zone time, moved the puck well, and finished our chances. That’s what you want.”
Reilly Smith and Mark Stone also found the back of the net for Vegas, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves to help the Golden Knights sweep their first back-to-back games of the season.
Stastny’s first goal came when he redirected Pacioretty’s pass through Jonathan Quick’s legs, giving Vegas a 3-1 lead late in the second period. Just over two minutes later, Stastny scored again with a one-timer from Jonathan Marchessault. It marked Stastny’s second career game with two power-play goals, and he finished with four points on the night.
Kings coach Todd McLellan admitted his penalty kill was outmatched.
“It was a horrendous night for that unit,” McLellan said. “They took advantage of our fatigue and mistakes, and eventually, it ended up in our net. We never got relief on our penalty kill.”
Quick had another tough night, allowing five goals on 36 shots. He has now given up 19 goals in his three appearances this season and has conceded at least five goals in five of his last seven starts.
McLellan was non-committal about how he plans to manage starts between Quick and Jack Campbell but praised Quick’s effort.
“When you’re the goaltender, all eyes are on you,” McLellan said. “He’s the last line of defense for our mistakes, and we made plenty of them.”
Quick’s struggles starkly contrasted to Fleury, who made critical saves in the first period, keeping the game within reach for Vegas. Fleury’s best save came during a Kings power play, when he made a blind kick save on Anze Kopitar’s one-timer.
“I didn’t see it fast, just threw my leg out there and hoped for the best,” Fleury said.
Austin Wagner scored his first goal of the season for the Kings just 50 seconds after Pacioretty’s second goal of the year had put Vegas up 2-0. Dustin Brown also found the net for Los Angeles early in the third period to make it 4-2, but Stone responded 17 seconds later to restore the three-goal lead for the Golden Knights.
Game Notes:
- Fleury played in his 804th NHL game, moving into 15th place all-time for goalie appearances.
- Vegas coach Gerard Gallant earned his 250th career NHL win.
- Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore had two assists.
- Anze Kopitar extended his point streak to five games with an assist.
UP NEXT:
- Golden Knights: Host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday to begin a two-game homestand.
- Kings: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday in the third game of a five-game homestand.
