The Vegas Golden Knights triumphed in their inaugural game four years ago and repeated that success by spoiling the Seattle Kraken’s NHL debut with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday night.
Max Pacioretty led the charge with two goals, helping Vegas secure the win.
“Our exhibition schedule was kind of up and down a little bit, but we’ve got a veteran group, and they know when it’s time to dial it up and be ready to play, and I thought our group was ready to play tonight,” said Vegas coach Peter DeBoer.
Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault also scored for the Golden Knights, while Robin Lehner made 25 saves.
Following four years of Marc-Andre Fleury being the franchise’s face, an enthusiastic crowd of 18,431 cheered for Lehner during pregame introductions and celebrated loudly after the final horn.
“I loved it,” DeBoer said of the fans’ reaction toward Lehner. “I’m glad the fans gave him that. I think he’s gonna be perfect for us. This was a tough night that he’s been thinking about for a long time, and he got us a big win.”
The win nearly slipped away as the Kraken erased a 3-0 deficit to tie the game. However, Stephenson’s controversial game-winning goal midway through the third period sealed the victory for Vegas.
“I think it kind of speaks to our character as a team,” said Seattle’s Morgan Geekie, who scored one of the goals. “We knew they were a good team coming in here, and they kind of paved the way. But I like how we brought it tonight, and I think we got better as the game went on.”
Geekie admitted the team was nervous initially.
“Yeah, definitely, 100 percent,” he said. “Obviously, you come into Vegas and it’s a spectacular city and they put on quite a show.”
Vegas captain Mark Stone, who had three assists, set up Stephenson’s controversial goal. It appeared that Stephenson might have kicked the puck past Seattle goalie Phillip Grubauer, but after a review, the goal stood.
“I know what I saw and believed … I thought it was a kicking motion,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “There’s a gray area on those calls. Their decision was it’s a good goal.”
Ryan Donato scored Seattle’s first goal in franchise history, with Jared McCann and Geekie also adding goals. Grubauer made 18 saves in his first game with the Kraken.
Pacioretty and Marchessault gave the Golden Knights an early lead by scoring two of Vegas’ first three shots on goal.
Vegas electrified the crowd when Stephenson led a clean entry into a wide-open neutral zone, gaining momentum and feeding Stone, who sent a perfect pass to Pacioretty for the Knights’ first goal of the season.
Three minutes later, Marchessault showcased his skillful stick handling, skating in on Grubauer and then decking around him before scoring to make it 2-0.
Initially, it appeared Nic Hague extended the lead to 3-0, but his shot was later credited to Pacioretty, who was positioned for a deflection.
Donato gave Kraken fans something to cheer about when he backhanded a loose puck past a sprawling Lehner. Shortly after, McCann’s shot from the right side slipped under Lehner’s pad, cutting the lead to one and energizing Seattle’s bench.
Geekie tied the game in the third period with a top-shelf shot from the right circle and celebrated by twirling his stick like a sword.
Game Notes
- The Stone-Stephenson-Pacioretty line combined for eight points.
- McCann, Marcus Johansson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Joonas Donskoi were cleared to play earlier in the day, while forward Calle Jarnkrok remained in the NHL’s COVID protocol. Vegas’ Mattias Janmark is also in COVID protocol.
- The Golden Knights improved to 91-0-1 when leading by three goals in franchise history.
- Three goals were scored by players wearing No. 67 (Pacioretty twice and Geekie).
UP NEXT
- Seattle: Travels to Nashville to play the Predators on Thursday.
- Vegas: Plays in Los Angeles on Thursday.
