Ivan Barbashev scored twice, and Logan Thompson made 29 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights continued their strong play with a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Barbashev broke a 10-game goal drought, scoring for the first time since Dec. 21. Jonathan Marchessault contributed a goal and an assist, Keegan Kolesar scored, and Brett Howden added a short-handed empty-net goal. Mark Stone and Nic Roy each had two assists for Vegas.
Thompson, who made several outstanding saves, has allowed just eight goals in his past five starts for the defending Stanley Cup champions. He has been the mainstay in goal with Adin Hill sidelined due to a lower-body injury.
“We kind of had a sloppy start, and he was unbelievable,” Marchessault said. “He’s been playing really well the last couple of games, and it’s good he’s finding his game. He has a lot of consistency, makes big saves at the right time, and gives us a chance to win every night.”
Mika Zibanejad scored a power-play goal for the Rangers.
“That’s a tough (loss),” coach Peter Laviolette said. “I thought our guys started with the right intentions. We played hard the whole night. I hate the score. The game unraveled incorrectly for a group that was ready to play.”
Vegas has won four of its past six games but faced early trouble. The Rangers dominated the opening minutes, outshooting the Golden Knights 11-4 with several grade-A chances that Thompson kept out of the net. His play allowed Vegas to find its rhythm, and the Knights struck first with goals from Marchessault and Barbashev. Roy had the primary assist on both.
Barbashev’s goal was reviewed as the puck went off his skate, but officials ruled he didn’t kick it in, so the score stood.
“Usually, when you’re thinking of a 5-1 win, you’re not thinking of your goalie,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He did his job and more. After we got the first goal, the goal helps, but it’s also like, ‘Hey, Logan’s here to play tonight.’”
Cassidy cautioned, however, that relying so much on the goaltender might not be sustainable.
“I don’t know how often the goalie’s going to bail you out like he did in the first period,” Cassidy said.
The Golden Knights struck again with two goals — by Barbashev and Kolesar — in the final 2:01 of the second period to go up 4-0. Barbashev’s second goal came on a power play.
The Rangers capitalized on their own power play 40 seconds into the third period when Chris Kreider found Zibanejad, who had an open net in front of him. It was New York’s 14th game scoring with the man advantage in the past 19.
Howden answered with 1:28 left, scoring into an empty net as the Rangers were skating with a 6-on-4 advantage.
Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren appeared in his 300th career game. Vegas played a video tribute in the first period for New York goalie Jonathan Quick, who played for the Golden Knights last season.
Up Next
- Rangers: Play at Los Angeles on Saturday night, the second stop on a four-game trip.
- Golden Knights: Host Pittsburgh on Saturday to complete a five-game homestand.
