Shea Theodore netted the game-winner at 1:35 of overtime to secure a 3-2 victory for the Vegas Golden Knights over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
William Carrier and Jack Eichel also found the back of the net for the Golden Knights, extending their winning streak to five games. Eichel added an assist, while Alex Pietrangelo set up all three Vegas goals, bringing his season assist total to nine. Logan Thompson made 19 saves.
“We’re a veteran group, so we’re never going to be out of the fight,” Thompson said. “These guys know how to win, and we were confident coming into the third period that we’d find a way to get two points tonight.”
Marcus Johansson and Trevor van Riemsdyk scored for Washington. Charlie Lindgren stopped 28 of 31 shots.
After exchanging power-play goals in the first period, van Riemsdyk broke the tie just 1:42 into the second with a shot off the faceoff, marking his first goal of the season and his first in 42 games dating back to January 28.
With under six minutes remaining in regulation, Carrier tied the game with a shot that banked in off the right post.
In overtime, Eichel made a precise pass to Theodore, who walked in and beat Lindgren from close range for the winner, his third goal of the season.
“Great play. Obviously, he’s a skilled player with the puck, and I think if you can read through his eyes and get into a good spot, he’ll find you,” Theodore said of Eichel’s assist.
Thompson also managed to keep Washington’s Alex Ovechkin off the scoresheet. The Capitals’ captain remains one goal shy of tying Gordie Howe for the most single-team goals in NHL history.
“Obviously, we know he’s an OK player, right?” Thompson joked. “No, he’s got that shot, so we focused on that. There’s a reason he’s got 800-something goals. He’s a scorer, and we took him away well.”
Washington earned a point but faced more adversity, losing Beck Malenstyn to an upper-body injury after he made a diving block. He joins a lengthy list of injured Capitals, including T.J. Oshie, Connor Brown, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, Carl Hagelin, and John Carlson.
In light of the injuries, head coach Peter Laviolette was disappointed with Washington’s performance in the third period.
“I didn’t like the way we played in the third period. I understand the circumstances and the situation, but that doesn’t mean I have to like how we played,” Laviolette said. “I thought we sat back, left too many holes, gave up too many chances… not enough press and too many chances against.”
Notes
- Connor Brown will be out for six to eight months following ACL surgery.
- John Carlson missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.
- Phil Kessel is now six games away from 1,000 consecutive games played.
- Jack Eichel and Alex Ovechkin are on three-game point streaks.
- Reilly Smith was shaken up after a hit from behind by Martin Fehervary but finished the game.
Up Next
- Golden Knights: Continue their Eastern Conference trip Thursday at the Ottawa Senators.
- Capitals: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
