Phil Kessel and Reilly Smith each scored in the first period, helping the Vegas Golden Knights secure a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, marking their fifth consecutive road win.
Teddy Blueger and Pavel Dorofeyev also found the net, while William Karlsson contributed two assists to aid Vegas in their ninth win in 11 games. Jonathan Quick made 31 saves, including 26 over the final two periods, propelling the Golden Knights two points ahead of Los Angeles for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
“We were ready, for sure,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We made some plays, capitalized, and scored goals on the forecheck. We created offense off the rush and took what was available.”
Quick earned his 375th regular-season win, surpassing John Vanbiesbrouck for second place in NHL history for U.S.-born goalies. Ryan Miller leads with 391.
“You think about some of the guys at the top of that list, and being in a category with them is just an honor,” Quick said. “And you appreciate all the guys who helped me get those wins.”
J.T. Miller scored twice and added an assist, and Phillip Di Giuseppe also scored for the Canucks, who had won two straight and seven of their last eight games. Quinn Hughes had two assists, and Thatcher Demko made 23 saves.
“You’re playing against one of the better teams, and you have to be prepared,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “We can’t afford to have three or four guys who are not ready for this type of game.”
The Canucks narrowed the deficit to 4-3 with 8:17 remaining in the third period. Hughes’ shot was stopped by Quick, but the puck deflected off Miller’s stick to Di Giuseppe, who scored his fourth goal of the season.
“We adjusted our game plan for the third period and tried to simplify things,” Vancouver’s Ethan Bear said. “At the end of the day, simplicity works in this league. It’s a learning experience.”
Vancouver pulled Demko for an extra skater with nearly three minutes left but couldn’t tie the game.
Kessel opened the scoring 3:01 into the game, capitalizing on a Vancouver turnover to net his 13th goal. Smith made it 2-0 with 7:49 left in the first, scoring off Karlsson’s centering pass. Karlsson earned his 300th point with Vegas, while Smith extended his point streak to nine games (four goals, seven assists).
Miller scored on a penalty shot after being slashed by Vegas’ Shea Theodore during a short-handed breakaway at 7:57 of the second period. Blueger restored Vegas’ two-goal lead with a sharp-angle shot past Demko just past the period’s midpoint.
Miller pulled the Canucks within one with his second goal of the night on a 4-on-3 power play, making it 3-2. Dorofeyev responded with 3:41 left in the second, redirecting Alex Pietrangelo’s shot for a 4-2 Vegas lead.
ROAD WARRIORS
Vegas improved to 22-7-5 on the road, matching the franchise record for road wins set in 2017-18.
THOMPSON RETURNS
Vegas goalie Logan Thompson returned to the lineup as Quick’s backup. The 26-year-old had been out since suffering a lower-body injury on February 9.
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: At Calgary on Thursday night in the second of a three-game trip.
- Canucks: Host San Jose on Thursday night to close a two-game homestand.
