Tomas Hertl netted the go-ahead goal in the third period, and Adin Hill stopped 31 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights secured a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.
After Anaheim tied the game with Mason McTavish’s second-period goal, Hertl put Vegas back in front with a slick backhand finish off a pass from Jack Eichel in front of Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal.
Tanner Pearson scored a short-handed goal in the first period for Vegas, and Keegan Kolesar added an insurance goal in the third.
Dostal, who came on in relief, made 19 saves after Ducks starter John Gibson stopped all 11 shots he faced before exiting in the first period. Gibson left the game after an accidental stick poke to the eye by Vegas’ Tanner Laczynski.
Takeaways
Ducks: Anaheim dealt with multiple injuries during the game. Brock McGinn left with a lower-body injury after colliding with Hertl along the boards, forcing adjustments to the fourth line.
Golden Knights: Head coach Bruce Cassidy recorded his 119th win, setting the record for most victories by a coach in franchise history. In his third season with the team, Cassidy holds a 119-59-20 record with Vegas.
Key Moment
In the second period, Anaheim’s Alex Killorn dumped the puck behind the Vegas net, which unexpectedly deflected off a linesman’s skate. Adin Hill made a diving save to prevent a goal, and Leo Carlsson missed a wide-open net, keeping the score tied and preserving Vegas’ momentum.
Key Stat
Lukas Dostal played a total of 104:37 in a 24-hour span, following 65 minutes in Sunday’s overtime loss in Salt Lake City and 39:37 in relief of Gibson on Monday night.
Up Next
Anaheim will host Philadelphia on Saturday, while the Golden Knights head to San Jose for a Pacific Division matchup on Friday night.
