Alex Pietrangelo scored 46 seconds into overtime on a 2-on-1, securing a 2-1 victory for the struggling Vegas Golden Knights over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Jack Eichel also found the net for the Knights, with Mark Stone assisting on the game-winner. Logan Thompson made 32 saves.
“I love to beat the Bruins,” said Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, who previously coached Boston for six seasons. “A big piece of my heart will always be with that organization. I’ve got friends on the other team. But it’s always nice to beat the team that lets you go.”
The Knights had lost seven of their previous nine games.
“There was a sense of desperation from us,” Eichel said. “I think that we need that.”
Matt Grzelcyk scored for the Bruins, and Jeremy Swayman made 23 stops.
“(Swayman) was terrific again,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “Unfortunately, our goaltender’s got to make several great saves for us to get a point right now.”
Boston lost by 4-3 scores in a shootout to Colorado on Monday night and in overtime to Arizona on Tuesday night.
Neither team scored through the first two periods, with each managing 18 shots on goal.
The Bruins missed a significant opportunity in the second period when Eichel and Stone left the game minutes apart, heading to the locker room. Boston went on a power play during that time but failed to capitalize.
Vegas broke through 7:01 into the third when Eichel, a native of the Boston area, scored on a power play off a pass from Jonathan Marchessault. Eichel’s 19th season goal ended Vegas’ goal drought at 122 minutes and 41 seconds. The Knights had been on a 3-for-31 power-play skid, including 0 for 4 in this game, before Eichel’s goal.
Boston tied it with 7:42 left on Grzelcyk’s shot from the left point that deflected off the stick of Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez.
Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei left the game with 4:15 remaining in the third period.
MILESTONE GAME
Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb played his 700th NHL game.
“I just feel very fortunate being in the NHL and playing in Vegas,” McNabb said. “I never thought that would be a thing, but it’s been awesome. It’s been an awesome ride. Now, I’m just looking to keep it going.”
SHOUT-OUT TO BELICHICK
Cassidy opened his post-game news conference with a tribute to Bill Belichick, who stepped down Thursday after 24 seasons as the New England Patriots’ coach.
“He was good to me as a young coach there,” Cassidy said. “Our relationship grew over the years because I got to know him better, and I had more tenure there. I wish him all the best. There is an opening in Vegas. I love coach (Antonio) Pierce’s job there, too.”
Pierce served as the Las Vegas Raiders’ interim coach and could get the job full-time.
UP NEXT
- Bruins: At St. Louis on Saturday night.
- Golden Knights: Host Calgary on Saturday night.