The Vegas Golden Knights (16-6-9) secured a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-13-6) Saturday night at Nationwide Arena thanks to a third-period goal from Brayden McNabb.
The win helped Vegas cap off an impressive five-game road trip with a 4-0-1 record, as the Golden Knights earned nine out of a possible 10 points to secure first place in the Pacific Division standings. The Golden Knights are 5-0-1 in December and have collected points in seven straight games going back to their 4-3 win over San Jose on Nov. 29.
Columbus’ Charlie Coyle recorded the lone goal of the first period just 7:02 into the contest, scoring in transition and beating Carter Hart from the slot.
Vegas got off to a slow start but managed to match Columbus’ shot total of nine through 20 minutes.
However, the Golden Knights reset the score less than a minute into an eventful second period.
Mitch Marner drew a tripping call just 16 seconds into the frame, and the Golden Knights made Columbus pay 25 seconds later. Instead of Mark Stone, it was Marner who set up Pavel Dorofeyev, who ripped a one-timer from the right circle for his 13th goal of the season.
The Blue Jackets scored another goal off the rush, this time off the stick of Ivan Provorov. However, the goal was overturned for offside, making it a 1-1 game once more.
Columbus continued to press, making Vegas look foolish in the neutral zone at various points throughout the frame. This was particularly true in the span of a few minutes during which the Blue Jackets generated three grade-A chances, all of which could have ended up in the back of the net.
They did not, however, thanks to the brilliant play of Hart, who made three sensational saves.
The first two came on a breakaway for the Blue Jackets, with Hart making a save on Cole Sillinger’s initial bid. The follow-up chance was even more dangerous, but Hart robbed Coyle with a spectacular stop to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Less than two minutes later, Hart committed highway robbery with a miraculous glove save on Boone Jenner, shutting down the Blue Jackets’ 2-on-0.
It was a rough period for Vegas, but Hart bailed out his teammates to keep it a 1-1 game through 40 minutes.
The Blue Jackets solved the Hart riddle less than five minutes into the third period, however, as Yegor Chinakhov found twine with a perfect shot. It was a great keep at the blue line by Dante Fabbro, extending the shift and giving Chinakhov space and time to pick his spot.
But just 63 seconds later, Vegas answered with the equalizer.
It was the first of two goals scored by Vegas defensemen, and both were impressive snipes.
First up was Ben Hutton, who potted his fourth goal of the year to make it a 2-2 game at 5:52.
McNabb followed that up with his first of the year, collecting a feed from Marner before scoring from an odd angle near the goal line. McNabb may not score much, but he often finds a way to make each goal memorable. This one certainly was, and his gorgeous shot proved to be the game-winner.
However, the rest of the game was far from a walk in the park for the Golden Knights.
Hart was tested with three minutes remaining on a dangerous chance by Kirill Marchenko, who cut to the inside and forced Hart to make a poke-check save to preserve Vegas’ lead.
Two seconds later, McNabb took a double-minor for high sticking, leaving the Golden Knights shorthanded, with their best penalty killer sitting in the box.
But the Vegas penalty kill came through. Though the Blue Jackets hit the post, the Golden Knights did not give up a shot in the final three minutes of regulation, holding on for the 3-2 win.
It was a rare regulation win for the Golden Knights, but they managed to withstand a sloppy second period, overcome two one-goal deficits and hold on at the end to secure an important two points.
For the first time this season, Mark Stone was held off the scoresheet. In his stead, Marner stepped up with a three-assist night, factoring in on all three of Vegas’ tallies.
The Golden Knights got two huge goals from the blue line, both of which came in the third period.
The rush defense struggled throughout, and Vegas looked lost in the neutral zone for long stretches. However, Hart was outstanding, finishing the game with 28 saves on 30 shots for a .933 save percentage for his third win with the Golden Knights.
He made several massive saves when Vegas gave up multiple alarming chances, keeping the Golden Knights in it until the end. He wasn’t overly tested for much of the game, but he stood tall when he needed to.
The Golden Knights didn’t play a fantastic game, but they made the most of their chances and stepped up in key moments to get the job done.
Once again, special teams played a critical role in the win. The penalty kill went 3-for-3, including on the double-minor (which turned into a 6-on-4) at the tail end of the contest. Plus, Dorofeyev’s power-play goal helped erase the one-goal deficit.
The Golden Knights return home to face the Devils on Wednesday before heading out on a two-game road trip to Alberta over the weekend.
Photo: Vegas Golden Knights