LAS VEGAS — The Golden Knights scored two power play goals, including one from rookie forward Braeden Bowman, and held on for a 3-2 win over the visitors. New York Rangers.
The Knights, who recently suffered an 0-2-2 skid in four games, have now won two of three, with a record of 2-0-1.
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The win moved Vegas (24 points) into a tie for second place with the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division, both within one point of surprising Anaheim Ducks.
Ben Hutton and Shea Theodore also scored for the Knights, while Akira Schmid made 17 saves to improve to 7-1-2 on the year, having won seven of Vegas’ eight wins.
Hutton’s goal was his first in 609 days.
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X HUTTY WAS HYPED TO GET HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON 🤩
Theodore, a cancer survivor, scored the winning goal at Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X the power play was on FIRE tonight 🔥
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The Rangers got goals from Jonny Brodzinski and Vincent Trocheck, while goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves.
Pavel Dorofeyev’s assist on Hutton’s second-period goal marked his 100th career point. Dorofeyev, who ranks fifth on the team with 15 points (11 goals, 4 assists), is the fourth player in franchise history to record his first 100 career points with the Knights.
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KEY MOMENT: With Vegas on the power play, Schmid found himself facing a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush, with the Knights clinging to a 2-1 lead. As Schmid came forward to defend Trocheck on the right side, a quick pass to Will Cuylle shifted the play. Schmid quickly moved in to thwart the effort and keep the momentum in Vegas’ favor. Moments later, Theodore buried what proved to be the game-winning goal.
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“Critical time,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “That’s how you turn a one-goal game into a win instead of a loss. … He makes the save to give us some life. We got through it, kept pushing. We did that and got the next goal. It ended up being the game winner.”
KEY STATUS: 0 of 9…that would be the stretch of games in which Vegas star Jack Eichel didn’t score a goal. Eichel, at one point, led the league in scoring after opening the season with 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists) through October 28. Since then, Eichel has five assists and is -2.
WHAT KNIGHT: Archer continues his impressive play after just four games. The 22-year-old made his debut on November 13 against the Islanders. In his second game, Saturday in St. Louis, he scored the first goal of his career, also on the power play.
“He gave us good minutes. What we’re looking for is if he can maintain the pace and strength of NHL hockey night after night. In four nights, that hasn’t diminished. That’s a good sign, because that’s the challenge for everyone new to the league.”
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X
Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) on X Braeden Bowman on the power play is a cheat code 🎮
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FOLLOWING : The Golden Knights open a three-game road trip at Utah on Thursday.
PHOTO CAPTION: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid (40) makes a save against New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena.
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