Mark Stone had multiple opportunities to score in the first two periods of Wednesday night’s game, but Arizona Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka denied him each time. However, Stone made the most of his chances in the third period.
Stone netted a power-play goal 8:56 into the final period to put Vegas ahead and later scored short-handed to secure a 5-2 victory for the Golden Knights, ending their home game dry spell.
Stone, who also had an assist, became the first player in Golden Knights history to score a power-play and a short-handed goal in the same game.
“It would’ve been nice to capitalize on them earlier in the game,” Stone said. “In between periods, 1-1, felt we should’ve had 10. But we stuck with it, and I thought we did a good job. We were drawing penalties. We gave ourselves four or five chances on the power play, which leads to goals.”
The Golden Knights had lost six of their previous seven home games but improved to 11-3 all-time against Arizona in Las Vegas and 18-7 overall against the Coyotes.
“Some lessons learned from our recent play,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Going into the third period, when will it ever go in here, right? Maybe this is a sign of things to come for us, and hopefully, Friday, we’ll continue to get some breaks.”
Stone scored his 13th and 14th goals as part of a four-goal third period by the Knights that followed a 1-1 tie after two. His first goal came on a tip-in off Alex Pietrangelo’s drive from the point to put Vegas ahead 2-1.
In an effort to reverse the problems at home, the Golden Knights put left-wing Michael Amadio on the first line with Stone and center Chandler Stephenson. Amadio actually moved into that spot in the second period of Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, sending Phil Kessel back to the third line.
It paid off, as Stone was dominant all game, with 13 shots, including eight on goal, and his assist for a three-point night. Also on that top line, Amadio scored, and Stephenson had two assists.
Arizona’s Christian Fischer had a goal and an assist.
The Knights acted aggressively, controlling the first period and outshooting the Coyotes 13-4. Stone had two terrific chances, including one from point-blank range. The Coyotes weathered the barrage to keep the game scoreless after one.
“I think the first period, we were feeling good,” Stephenson said. “We were playing quick and put them on their heels. We tried to keep our foot on the gas pedal.”
Vegas finally broke through at 3:28 of the second when defenseman Danil Miromanov blasted in a power-play goal. The good feelings for the Knights ended just 1:20 later, however, when Arizona defenseman Juuso Valimaki stuffed in a shot from the side of the net.
“Stupidity, mistakes, turnovers, lack of effort on back-check,” Coyotes coach André Tourigny said. “That’s too bad because … we played a good game. We did a lot of good things against a really good team. We’re right there. We’re one goal, one shot away, and you could not stay with it.”
Game Notes
- Stephenson extended his point streak to six games (two goals, eight assists). Vegas teammate Reilly Smith is at five games (five goals, three assists), and Pietrangelo at three games (three assists).
- Fischer is one goal short of 50 in his career.
UP NEXT
- Coyotes: Host Los Angeles on Friday.
- Golden Knights: Host St. Louis on Friday.
