Jack Eichel has a goal and 2 assists in his 500th NHL game, Golden Knights beat Canucks 4-1

Peter Allen Bak
Peter Allen Bak
3 Min Read
Nov 30, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ian Cole (82) watches as Vegas Golden Knights forward Michael Amadio (22) shoots in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vegas won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Jack Eichel celebrated his 500th regular-season NHL game with a goal and two assists, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Ivan Barbashev, William Karlsson, and Brett Howden also scored for the Golden Knights, helping the defending Stanley Cup champions end a three-game losing streak and improve to 15-5-4. Vegas was on the road for the eighth time in nine games and had lost five of six overall.

“This was probably one of our best games of the year,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I thought overall the way we checked, kept Vancouver’s top players, made them really work to get space, converted our chances, special teams were good. We had no weaknesses tonight, so as a coach, those are the games you love.”

Adin Hill stopped all 16 shots he faced before leaving as a precaution for a lower-body injury. Logan Thompson took over in the third period, stopping five of six shots.

“Obviously, Vegas losing three in a row, we knew they were going to come in here flexing their muscles,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “We’re a little disappointed in our play, but there were some good pushes. But not enough, and that’s what it comes down to.”

Andrei Kuzmenko scored for Vancouver, and Thatcher Demko made 40 saves. The Canucks fell to 15-8-1.

“Of course, it’s a measuring stick game,” Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes said. “They’re first in the division and (were the) best team in the league last year. … They were better than us tonight and we’ve got the next 55 to 60 games to measure ourselves against them.”

Barbashev opened the scoring by slotting a shot between Demko’s legs at 4:46 of the first period. Eichel made it 2-0 with 3:42 left in the first. Nicolas Hague drove to the net and passed the puck to Barbashev, who then slid it across the slot to Eichel for his ninth-season goal.

“Jack was good. On top of pucks, hanging onto pucks, challenging their (defense) at the blue line, good defensively,” Cassidy said.

Karlsson sniped one past Demko midway through the second to make it 3-0. Howden tipped in Alex Pietrangelo’s point shot 16 seconds into the third period.

Kuzmenko scored at 4:01 of the third.

“His third period was the best I’ve seen this year,” Tocchet said.

UP NEXT

Golden Knights: Host Washington on Saturday night.

Canucks: At Calgary on Saturday night.

Peter Allen Bak is a part-time writer and reporter based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona, Peter played both football and soccer for his high school team. His passion for sports continued into adulthood, where he became an avid fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Peter graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2008, where he honed his writing skills and developed a keen interest in sports business. An enthusiastic traveler, Peter enjoys exploring international destinations during his free time. When he's not globetrotting, he can often be found hiking the scenic trails around Las Vegas or testing his strength and agility through bouldering. In recent years, he has also taken up pickleball. In 2012, Peter married his high school sweetheart, Kimberly. The couple has since welcomed three children into their lives: their son Connor, and twin daughters Kiara and Kacey.