Shea Theodore and Reilly Smith scored 46 seconds apart early in the third period, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.
This marked the second meeting between the NHL’s two newest franchises, with Vegas also winning the first encounter on opening night, 4-3.
After a challenging 1-4 start to the season, the Golden Knights have rebounded with a 6-2-0 run despite significant injuries. Key players like Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, William Karlsson, Zach Whitecloud, and Nolan Patrick have all been sidelined. Additionally, newly acquired Jack Eichel is set to undergo neck surgery and is expected to miss three months.
Despite these setbacks, the Golden Knights have relied on strong defense, timely goal-scoring, and contributions from their depth players to climb within four points of first-place Edmonton in the Pacific Division.
“I’ve liked our response,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “We were at a bit of a crossroads, especially with the tough schedule ahead. The guys knew they had to step up, and they did. We’ve had great goaltending, some timely goals, and we’ve found ways to win.”
Theodore gave Vegas the lead 30 seconds into the third period with a one-timer from Jonathan Marchessault’s pass. Smith quickly followed with a power-play goal, deflecting another pass from Marchessault into the net.
It was Marchessault’s third multi-point performance in six games.
Alex Pietrangelo and Evgenii Dadonov also scored for the Golden Knights (7-6-0). Robin Lehner has now won three straight games and five of his last six starts and made 25 saves.
“When we were 1-4, a lot of people were asking if we were panicking, but we had confidence in our group and our system,” said Lehner, who has posted a 2.30 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage over his last six starts. “We’re working hard to stay competitive while waiting for key players to return, and everyone is stepping up.”
Chris Driedger, making his first start and second appearance of the season, made 19 saves for Seattle (4-8-1), which has now lost four of its last five games. Jordan Eberle and Yanni Gourde scored for the Kraken.
“We’re finding ways to lose instead of finding ways to win,” Eberle said. “We need to mature as a team and capitalize on momentum when we have it.”
Eberle gave Seattle an early lead, scoring his seventh goal in seven games by backhanding a rebound past Lehner.
Pietrangelo tied the game with 26 seconds left in the first period, firing a wrist shot from the high slot over Driedger’s glove.
Late in a sluggish second period, Seattle briefly regained the lead when Gourde finished a pass from Brandon Tanev. However, Dadonov quickly tied the game again just 15 seconds later by chipping a loose puck near the crease past Driedger.
“It’s frustrating when you work hard to take the lead and lose it so quickly,” Eberle said.
Game Notes
Paul Cotter made his NHL debut for Vegas, playing on the fourth line with Brett Howden and Jonas Rondbjerg. Marcus Johansson, returning from a lower-body injury, assisted on Eberle’s goal in his first game back since opening night. Newly acquired Jack Eichel attended the game and cranked the rally siren before the opening puck drop. Tanev’s assist marked his 100th career point. Gourde blocked a shot in the second period, scored a goal, and left the game after two shifts in the third. Both teams, which had the two worst power plays in the league, scored with the man advantage. Seattle went 1 for 4, and Vegas finished 1 for 2.
UP NEXT
- Seattle: Begins a six-game homestand against Anaheim on Thursday.
- Vegas: Continues a six-game homestand against Minnesota on Thursday.
