Jack Eichel returned triumphantly from a lower-body injury, scoring a goal and providing two assists, as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Thursday night.
At the season’s midpoint, Vegas leads the Western Conference and is tied for second in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Penguins, coming off a 2-1 loss to Boston in the Winter Classic, have lost six straight games and are 0-4-2 since Dec. 27.
Eichel, back after missing 11 games, scored early to give the Knights a 2-0 lead and assisted on goals by Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone. Paul Cotter, also returning from an upper-body injury, and Phil Kessel added goals, while Adin Hill made 38 saves.
“It’s good to see contributions up and down the lineup,” Eichel said. “One of our strengths is having a deep team that can roll four lines out and play against anyone.”
Coach Bruce Cassidy praised the Knights for their collective effort, with nine skaters recording at least one point. However, he noted the team had a different energy when Eichel was back in the lineup.
“He’s an elite player in the league,” Cassidy said. “He’s excited to play again. He was having an All-Star type of year when he started. Might still be in the mix.”
The Knights have now won three straight and four in a row at home, improving to 12-9-0 at T-Mobile Arena, where they will play their next six games.
Ty Smith scored his first goal of the season early in the third period for Pittsburgh, and Sidney Crosby added his 20th goal with 1:30 left in the game. Casey DeSmith made 26 saves for the Penguins.
Kessel scored against his former team, capitalizing on a pass from Cotter less than two minutes into the game. Eichel followed with a quick wrist shot on a breakaway, making his presence felt early.
Stephenson’s one-timer over DeSmith’s glove midway through the first period extended the lead to 3-0.
The Penguins couldn’t beat Hill despite dominating the second period with a 20-12 shot advantage. Instead, Stone deflected a shot from Brayden McNabb past DeSmith with 11 seconds left to make it 4-0.
Pittsburgh broke Hill’s shutout bid in the third period when Smith snapped a drop pass from the high slot into the net. Cotter’s late goal provided the final margin.
“We’re a better hockey team than that. We showed it in the second and the third, but we didn’t give ourselves a chance because we didn’t play well enough in the first,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I’m sure everyone involved is frustrated because our expectations are high. When you don’t live up to them … that’s one of the emotions you deal with.”
Game Notes
- Vegas rookie goaltender Logan Thompson was named to the Pacific Division All-Star team shortly before puck drop, while Pittsburgh’s Crosby was named to his ninth career All-Star Game.
- The Penguins arrived at the arena wearing blue and gold ribbons in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who wore blue and gold at the University of Pittsburgh and Central Catholic.
- The Penguins sported a “CF” sticker on their helmets in memory of Kris Letang’s father, Claude Fouquet.
UP NEXT
- Penguins: At Arizona on Sunday.
- Golden Knights: Host Los Angeles on Saturday night.