After the Los Angeles Kings’ early goal was nullified by a coach’s challenge for offside, the Vegas Golden Knights seized the moment, scoring four goals on their first six shots. This dominant start propelled them to a 5-2 victory on Thursday night, taking a major step toward clinching the Pacific Division and the top seed in the Western Conference.
“I thought we were on our toes and we were ready to play,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Our forecheck was outstanding. We weren’t giving up odd-man rushes or numbers coming at us because of that. Our guys were really dedicated to that game plan tonight.”
Vegas’ third line was particularly effective. Chandler Stephenson scored a goal and added two assists, while Phil Kessel and Ivan Barbashev each contributed a goal and an assist. Nicolas Roy and Jonathan Marchessault also found the net.
Laurent Brossoit, vying to be the Knights’ starting goalie for the playoffs, made 30 saves and remained unbeaten in regulation this season with a 5-0-3 record.
Anze Kopitar and Vladislav Gavrikov scored for the Kings.
The Knights, now 11-2-2 in their past 15 games, have 106 points. With three games remaining, they lead Edmonton by three and the Kings by six in the Pacific Division. Vegas is also six points ahead of Colorado and Dallas in the Central Division.
Los Angeles nearly took the lead early, but Quinton Byfield’s goal at 2:33 was overturned after Cassidy’s successful challenge for offside. Just 21 seconds later, Kessel scored on a wraparound to put Vegas ahead.
“It’s a two-goal difference there,” Roy said. “But we came out strong tonight. I think we were ready to play from the first minute.”
Barbashev quickly added to the lead, scoring off a brilliant pass from Stephenson, who then scored himself to make it 3-0. The net had come off its mooring on Stephenson’s goal, but officials ruled that the Kings were responsible for the dislodging.
Roy’s power-play goal with 8:37 left in the first period gave the Knights a 4-0 lead within the first 11:23.
“We weren’t ready to play,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “That was pretty evident. Tonight was a team loss. Very few players were engaged early. You can’t play like that this time of the year. We haven’t had one of those periods in a long, long time. That won’t be good enough for the rest of the season and the playoffs.”
Marchessault scored just 1:02 into the second period, prompting the Kings to replace goalie Joonas Korpisalo with Pheonix Copley. Kopitar and Gavrikov scored to bring Los Angeles within 5-2 entering the final period. Copley saved all 22 shots he faced.
GETTING PHYSICAL
Kings center Zack MacEwen was penalized for boarding Ben Hutton midway through the second period, leading Vegas’ Nic Hague to confront MacEwen. MacEwen received five-minute majors for boarding and fighting, while Hague got a 10-minute misconduct, a five-minute major for fighting, and a two-minute minor for instigating.
“It’s a vulnerable position,” Hague said. “I didn’t like that. I thought it was from behind.”
Cassidy praised Hague’s reaction, calling MacEwen’s hit “a dangerous, dangerous hit.”
Both teams played 4-on-4 for two minutes before Vegas had a three-minute power play. Roy capitalized with a power-play goal, a rare success for a team that was 2 for 21 on the power play in the previous eight games.
CENTURY MARK
Jack Eichel played in his 100th game for the Knights, leading the team with 90 points. His assist against the Kings extended his point streak to eight games (one goal, 10 assists).
UP NEXT
- Kings: Host Colorado on Saturday.
- Golden Knights: At Dallas on Saturday.