Jonathan Quick recorded his first shutout with the Vegas Golden Knights, making 33 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.
“They find ways to win,” Quick said. “It’s a fun group to play with.”
Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, Paul Cotter, and Brett Howden scored for the Golden Knights, who have won five of their last six games.
Frederik Andersen made 20 saves for the Hurricanes but suffered his third loss in the last five outings, ending Carolina’s four-game winning streak.
Quick is 3-0-0 with the Golden Knights since being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets just two days after Columbus acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings. He has two shutouts this season and 58 in his 746-game career.
“I think he’s obviously building confidence in his game,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Love what he has brought so far.”
Carolina was shut out for the first time since a Nov. 23 home game against Arizona.
“They hunkered down in front,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We knew that coming in.”
Alex Pietrangelo had two assists for Vegas.
Marchessault’s 20th goal came as he skated toward the high slot, sending the puck between the legs of Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin and then through Andersen’s pads.
The Hurricanes had 15 of their shots in the first period.
“I thought we had a real good first period with chances,” Brind’Amour said. “We just didn’t bury them, and they did.”
Quick has faced more than 30 shots in his last two games.
“Quick was unbelievable tonight, and we were able to get him the shutout,” Marchessault said. “It’s easy to get a guy like that going in your locker room. Such a good veteran (who) has been out there for a long time. We’re lucky to have him.”
Smith scored his 22nd goal at 17:20 of the second period, maneuvering around Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns and delivering a shot that Andersen couldn’t stop.
Cotter’s 12th goal came at 13:10 of the third period, ending his nine-game goalless streak. Howden’s empty-net goal with 1:24 left gave him four goals this season.
THERE HE IS
Right winger Jesse Puljujarvi made his Carolina debut after being acquired from Edmonton near the trade deadline. He replaced Derek Stepan in the Hurricanes’ lineup.
Puljujarvi played more than 12 ½ minutes and registered three shots on goal while playing on the fourth line with Stefan Noesen and Paul Stastny.
“He had a couple of chances,” Brind’Amour said. “It will take him some time to get comfortable with what we’re doing.”
ROAD TO SUCCESS
The Golden Knights are 2-1 at the start of a five-game road trip, having also beaten Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
“To get out of those three games with two wins is really good for our group,” Marchessault said.
Vegas improved to 19-7-5 in road games.
GAME NOTES
- Marchessault hadn’t scored in a road game since Dec. 13 at Winnipeg.
- The Hurricanes had posted shutouts in three of their past four home games with three different goalies.
- Vegas beat the Hurricanes 3-2 on March 1 in Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: At St. Louis on Sunday.
- Hurricanes: At New Jersey on Sunday.
