Reilly Smith netted two goals, and rookie Logan Thompson made 23 saves to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
Smith scored his fourth short-handed goal of the season in the second period while the Blackhawks used five forwards on their top power-play unit. He then sealed the win with an empty-netter, bringing his total to 14 goals for the season.
Chandler Stephenson added a power-play goal in the second period for Vegas, and Phil Kessel tipped one in during the third. William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault each contributed two assists, helping the Pacific Division leaders secure their third win in four games.
On Tuesday, the Golden Knights put in another solid road performance, coming off a thrilling 6-5 win over the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
“They’re never perfect,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. ”We’re still trying to build our game like every team in the league. I’ll be pleased to watch the (video) of the first and third periods. The second, there will be some teachable moments our team goes through.”
Thompson, who narrowly missed his third shutout of the season and second against Chicago, allowed a goal to Taylor Raddysh with 3:54 left in the third period.
“You know, in the last couple of minutes of the game, they’re going to come out hard,” Thompson said. “They’ve got some skilled guys who can make some plays, and we locked down pretty good tonight.”
Thompson previously made 27 saves to shut out the Blackhawks 1-0 on Oct. 13 in Las Vegas.
Stephenson ended a 16-game goal drought with his first score since Nov. 10 at Buffalo, bringing his season total to seven. He had accumulated 12 assists during the drought, including four in the game against Winnipeg.
The Blackhawks, struggling offensively, have scored only five goals during their current five-game losing streak. Chicago is 1-12-1 in its last 14 games.
“Every time we got a chance, they all collapsed as five and took away our second chances,” Raddysh said. “They were blocking shots, too.”
Chicago rookie goalie Arvid Soderblom made 21 saves.
Stephenson opened the scoring with 5:19 left in the first period, firing into an empty net off Mark Stone’s feed across the crease.
Smith added his 13th goal with a one-timer from the right circle at 3:56 of the second period, set up by Karlsson’s cross-ice feed after evading Chicago captain Jonathan Toews.
“I didn’t do anything,” Smith said. “Karl did everything by himself. He won a puck battle against three guys and found me in the slot.”
HEADS UP!
Golden Knights center Paul Cotter left the game after taking a hard hit from Chicago defenseman Jarred Tinordi late in the second period. Cassidy said Cotter suffered an upper-body injury and would be evaluated once the team returns to Las Vegas on Friday.
DYNAMIC DUO
Toews and Patrick Kane skated in their 998th game together with Chicago. They are on track to become the 12th pair of NHL teammates and the second Blackhawks duo to play in 1,000 regular-season games together on Sunday against the Rangers.
Kane and Toews are in the final seasons of eight-year, $84 million contracts with no-movement clauses.
WORTH NOTING
Jack Eichel, who leads Vegas in points, missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury. He went on IR on Monday but is listed as day-to-day. … Golden Knights D Shea Theodore (knee) missed his third game. … Blackhawks F Andreas Athanasiou returned after missing a game due to a funeral and took Reese Johnson’s place in the lineup. Chicago D Ian Mitchell and F Boris Katchouk were also scratched.
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: Host the New York Islanders on Saturday.
- Blackhawks: At Minnesota on Friday.