A dominant second-period outburst propelled the Vegas Golden Knights to a 6-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Tomas Hertl, Callahan Burke, Ivan Barbashev, Tanner Pearson, and Keegan Kolesar each found the back of the net during Vegas’ explosive second frame. Jack Eichel capped the scoring with his seventh goal of the season late in the third period.
Montreal responded in the third with goals from Emil Heineman and Jayden Struble but couldn’t overcome the Golden Knights’ commanding lead.
Adin Hill made 15 saves for Vegas, while Sam Montembeault allowed five goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Cayden Primeau, who stopped two of three shots in relief.
Takeaways
Golden Knights: Vegas rebounded impressively from consecutive losses earlier in the week with two straight road wins. Eleven Golden Knights players recorded at least one point in the game, showcasing their offensive depth.
Canadiens: The strong, even-strength play that fueled Montreal’s recent success disappeared, exposing defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of offensive cohesion.
Key Moment
Trailing 2-0, Montreal turned the puck over at their offensive blue line, allowing Ivan Barbashev to capitalize on a two-on-one rush, extending Vegas’ lead and squashing any hopes of a quick comeback.
Key Stat
The Canadiens allowed five or more even-strength goals for the sixth time this season, underscoring their defensive struggles.
Up Next
- Golden Knights: Continue their road trip Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Canadiens: Host the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.
