Max Pacioretty scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.
The Golden Knights rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to win in a showdown between the top two teams in the West Division.
Alex Tuch tied the game with just 42 seconds left in regulation, and Pacioretty sealed the win in overtime with a goal set up by captain Mark Stone’s fifth primary assist of the game.
“That was a heavyweight battle, and coming back like that is a big momentum swing for us,” said Stone.
Cody Glass and Nic Hague also found the back of the net for Vegas, while Marc-Andre Fleury, making his ninth consecutive start, stopped 26 shots to improve to 10-3-0 despite tying his season-high by allowing four goals.
Marcus Foligno scored twice for the Wild, and Jordan Greenway and Nick Bonino also tallied goals. Cam Talbot made 34 saves but fell to 4-3-0 on the season.
Hague ignited Vegas’ comeback midway through the third period, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 4-3 with a powerful one-timer that Talbot could not stop.
“It was a strange game,” said Vegas coach Pete DeBoer. “Some weird bounces, and suddenly you’re down. It took some time to regroup … we adjusted the lines in the third and found our spark after a couple of shifts. The pressure we applied in the last 10 minutes was impressive.”
The Golden Knights welcomed 2,605 fans to T-Mobile Arena, the first time spectators had been allowed to attend a Vegas game in 363 days.
“You could feel the energy during warmups,” said Stone. “That energy definitely helps with the way I play.”
Pacioretty agreed, noting, “We just knew we were going to come back in that game, and the fans were a big reason for that energy.”
Minnesota’s six-game winning streak was snapped, and the Wild lost in overtime for the first time in eight games dating back to last season. The Wild had outscored opponents 31-14 during their previous 6-0-1 run.
Glass scored in the second period, redirecting Stone’s pinpoint pass into the net for his third power-play goal of the season. But Minnesota quickly responded, with Greenway pouncing on a rebound and Foligno deflecting a centering pass off his skate and knee for his sixth point in seven games.
Vegas equalized on their second power-play goal when Pacioretty finished off a quick passing sequence from Chandler Stephenson and Stone.
Minnesota regained a two-goal lead with Bonino capitalizing on a Vegas defensive lapse, followed by Foligno’s second goal on a breakaway. However, the Golden Knights mounted their late-game comeback to force overtime.
Fleury’s Milestone
Marc-Andre Fleury played in his 860th career game, tying him for 12th all-time with Gump Worsley. Fleury is now 5-10-0 in 15 starts against Minnesota.
Golden Helmets Shine
Vegas earned its first win wearing their new gold helmets after losing the first two games with the flashy headgear.
Wild Streak Ends
Minnesota played its first game since goaltender Alex Stalock was claimed off waivers by the Edmonton Oilers. Stalock had a career-high 38 appearances last season for the Wild.
Up Next
- Minnesota and Vegas conclude their two-game series on Wednesday night.
