After stumbling into the All-Star break with just one win in eight games, the Vegas Golden Knights have ignited with three consecutive blowout victories.
Their latest triumph came on Sunday, a 7-2 rout of the Anaheim Ducks. The Golden Knights exploded with five goals in the third period to turn a close game into a decisive win.
Seven Vegas players recorded two points each. Michael Amadio, William Carrier, Jack Eichel, Phil Kessel, and Shea Theodore all contributed a goal and an assist. Paul Cotter and Brett Howden also scored, while Reilly Smith and William Karlsson added two assists each.
Isac Lundestrom had a goal and an assist for Anaheim, and Frank Vatrano also found the net. John Gibson made 32 saves for the Ducks.
Heading into the All-Star break at 1-5-2, the Golden Knights have since outscored their last three opponents 17-4, reclaiming a three-point lead in the Pacific Division.
“I think you’re kind of limping into the break a little bit,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Everyone knows it’s coming. You’re on the road, and things aren’t happening for you, so mentally, you’re a little bit challenged. Coming out of the break, you’re refreshed. That mental sort of weight is gone. You’re starting over. The history of scoring in our room is there, so we knew it wouldn’t go on forever.”
Vegas dominated the first period, outshooting Anaheim 12-5, but held just a 1-0 lead on Cotter’s rebound goal 2:08 into the game.
The teams exchanged goals in the second period, with Howden scoring for the Knights and Vatrano for the Ducks.
Anaheim nearly tied the game early in the third period, but Knights goalie Adin Hill stopped Ryan Strome on a breakaway. With Logan Thompson out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, Hill is now Vegas’ starter and made 23 saves.
“I was just trying to be patient and wait for him to make the first move,” Hill said of Strome’s shot attempt. “I think he was trying to kind of go above the pad there and kind of whiffed on it a bit. But it hit my pad and stayed out.”
Vegas then took control, with Theodore scoring at 6:40, Kessel at 8:11, and Eichel at 11:53 to make it 5-1.
These goals not only secured Vegas’ ongoing hot streak but also handed Anaheim its second consecutive loss after their best stretch of the season. They had gone 4-0-1 before losing to Pittsburgh on Friday and then to Vegas.
“I think the missed breakaway that would’ve evened it up would’ve certainly helped,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “Vegas got a couple of hard-working, good-bounce goals, and then we just fell apart trying to do everybody else’s job in our own zone.”
Anaheim added a goal when Lundestrom scored at 13:34. He also assisted on Vatrano’s goal.
Vegas answered with goals from Amadio and Carrier to complete the rout.
NOTES
Anaheim defenseman John Klingberg (seven goals, 13 assists) did not play due to illness and was replaced by Colton White. Klingberg had a goal and two assists in his previous two games. … Howden has points in consecutive games for the first time since a five-game streak from Jan. 24, 2022, to Feb. 8, 2022. … The Knights’ Smith has points in three straight games (one goal, three assists).
UP NEXT
- Anaheim: Hosts Buffalo on Wednesday.
- Vegas: Hosts San Jose on Thursday.
