Max Pacioretty scored twice as the Vegas Golden Knights took down the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Wednesday, in a battle of the West Division’s top teams.
With the win, the Golden Knights extended their franchise-record winning streak to 10 games and widened their lead over Colorado to six points. The Avalanche still hold a game in hand. Vegas has now outscored opponents 45-17 during this dominant run.
“This was a huge result for us in the standings,” said Vegas coach Peter DeBoer, who earned his 50th win with the Golden Knights. “It sets us up where our destiny is in our own hands, but we still have business to take care of.”
The Golden Knights have been an offensive powerhouse, scoring five or more goals in a game 18 times this season—more than any other NHL team.
Pacioretty, who has a point in eight straight games, was joined on the scoresheet by William Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault. Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves, earning his fifth straight win and improving to 15-8-2 against Colorado in his career.
Devon Toews and Ryan Graves found the back of the net for Colorado, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Avalanche from losing their third consecutive game. Devan Dubnyk stopped 21 shots for the Avalanche, who were missing several key players, including Joonas Donskoi, Philipp Grubauer, and Mikko Rantanen, due to COVID protocols.
“Big win for us,” Stone said. “We’ve been playing well, but we want to play against the best, and it was great to get these two points and create some separation in the standings.”
Fast-Paced Start and Strong Finish for Vegas
Karlsson wasted no time giving Vegas an early lead, scoring just 10 seconds into the game—the fastest goal to start a game in franchise history. However, Colorado responded with relentless pressure, eventually tying the game when Toews knocked home a rebound with just over six minutes left in the first period.
In the second period, Pacioretty gave Vegas a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal, chipping a wrist shot from the blue line. Stone extended the lead to 3-1 when he banked the puck off Dubnyk from below the red line.
Graves pulled Colorado back within one after capitalizing on a Vegas turnover, but the Golden Knights responded just moments into the third period. Stone forced a turnover and set up Pacioretty for his second goal, restoring the two-goal lead.
Marchessault sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute, securing Vegas’s 5-2 victory.
Playoff Push and Milestones
The Golden Knights have already secured a playoff spot, and they’re continuing to build momentum with the postseason on the horizon. Their next two games will be on the road against the Arizona Coyotes, while Colorado is set to host the San Jose Sharks in back-to-back games.
In addition to helping his team maintain its division lead, Pacioretty recorded his 300th career assist on Stone’s second-period goal. Fleury is now just one win shy of tying Roberto Luongo for third-most career wins at 489.
Up Next
- Avalanche: Host the San Jose Sharks in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.
- Golden Knights: Start a four-game road trip in Arizona on Friday.