William Karlsson recorded a hat trick, and Shea Theodore scored the game-winner in overtime. The Vegas Golden Knights extended their winning streak to six games with a 6-5 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Despite blowing a two-goal lead late in the third period, the Golden Knights pulled out the win with Theodore’s goal 3:50 into OT. Mark Stone set up the play, intercepting Ryan Getzlaf’s pass before feeding Theodore, who raced up the right side and fired a wrist shot past Ducks goaltender John Gibson.
“I think we’ve just played good hockey. We’ve really tightened up our systems,” said Theodore, who now has nine goals this season. “We’re sticking to that and feeling the pressure of the end of the season.”
Karlsson, who hadn’t scored in 20 games, broke his slump in style. He netted his first game goal late in the second period with a snapshot, then added two more in the third.
“Yeah, not bad. It feels like it’s been forever,” Karlsson said. “I’m very happy for those three goals and the two points.”
Karlsson’s hat trick gave Vegas a 5-3 lead with 8:55 left in the third period, but the Ducks fought back. Adam Henrique scored twice in a span of 1:42, tying the game with just over a minute left to force overtime.
“It was a fun one to be a part of. We haven’t had many of those this year,” said Anaheim’s Nick Ritchie, who also scored twice. “We’re not really a team that plays a shootout style, but it turned into that.”
Alec Martinez, who was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Kings, contributed a goal and an assist for Vegas. Patrick Brown also scored, and Max Pacioretty added two assists. Goalie Malcolm Subban made 25 saves for the Golden Knights, who have surged to the top of the Pacific Division during their winning streak.
Ritchie and Henrique had four-point nights for the Ducks, each contributing two goals and two assists. Devin Shore also scored, while Gibson made 22 saves for Anaheim, now losing five of its last six games.
Brown opened the scoring for Vegas at 12:49 of the first period, knocking in a rebound after Ryan Reaves created chaos in front of the net. Anaheim tied it in the final second of the first period when Shore redirected a slap shot from Brendan Guhle.
Ritchie gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead midway through the second period after capitalizing on a turnover near the Vegas net. Martinez tied the game minutes later with a one-timer during an odd-man rush.
Game Notes:
- Karlsson’s hat tricks have come with Vegas, the other two during the 2017-18 season.
- Gage Quinney notched his first NHL point with an assist.
- Reilly Smith extended his point streak to five games, while Max Pacioretty has points in four straight.
- Anaheim’s Derek Grant, a possible trade candidate, was a healthy scratch.
- Henrique has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last eight games.
Up Next:
- Golden Knights: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday to start a four-game homestand.
- Ducks: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.
