The Vegas Golden Knights were unable to hold on to a late lead and ultimately fell in a shootout, losing 3-2 to the Dallas Stars Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.
Though the Golden Knights scored the go-ahead goal with 4:37 remaining in the third period, Vegas yielded the equalizer in the final minute of regulation. The shootout required just two rounds, as Vegas went 0-for-2 and Dallas went 2-for-2.
The Golden Knights have not lost in regulation since returning from the All-Star break, going 6-0-2 in their last eight contests. Despite the loss, it was another compelling performance by Vegas.
Vegas came away with one point thanks in large part to the play of Laurent Brossoit, who finished the game with 41 saves on 43 shots for a .953 save percentage in his third straight start. Adin Hill served as Brossoit’s backup.
Michael Amadio opened the scoring 12 minutes into the second period with his 10th marker of the season. Amadio redirected a Brayden McNabb shot-pass from the point, helping Vegas take a 1-0 lead for the fourth time in the last eight games (after doing so only twice in the previous 15).
Michael Amadio redirects McNabb’s shot past Oettinger from the side of the crease, Vegas leads 1-0!#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/YQDaX0noc3
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 26, 2023
Shea Theodore recorded the secondary assist on the play, extending his point streak to six games, which is tied for the longest point streak by a defenseman in franchise history.
Shea Theodore has tied the VGK record for longest point streak by a defenseman at six games, a record he already shared with Colin Miller. #VegasBorn
— VGK Communications (@VGK_PR) February 26, 2023
However, Dallas evened things up just over two minutes later when Ty Dellandrea found Wyatt Johnston all alone for the backdoor tally.
That’s our ROOK!
📺: @BallySportsSW | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/2OYZ6z1cBF
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 26, 2023
The game remained tied for another 21:22 until Eichel broke through on a dandy for his 20th goal of the year, making him the first member of the Golden Knights to reach the 20-goal threshold this season.
Chandler Stephenson made the touch-pass at center ice, hitting Eichel in stride as he raced along the boards. Eichel deked around Stars netminder Jake Oettinger with a smooth toe-drag before tucking the puck inside the far post.
Jack Eichel finishes off a beautiful move on the partial breakaway to give Vegas the lead in the third!#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/1FlQaSqeGA
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 26, 2023
However, with the goalie pulled, Roope Hintz beat a screened Brossoit from the slot with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
Roope Hintz ties it up late in the third off of a wicked shot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Hy6gePsLQe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2023
But the highlight of the night came courtesy of Brossoit, who delivered a save-of-the-year candidate in spectacular fashion.
After stacking his pads at the side of the net to deny Jason Robertson, Brossoit rolled over, threw his arm back across the crease and knocked the puck out of the air with the back of his glove, robbing Tyler Seguin of what would have been the game-winner one minute into extra time.
D-nied!
LB, we are not worthy.. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/7gPVbnI8Y6
— Knights On Ice (@knightsonice) February 26, 2023
But the desperation save and Brossoit’s sensational overall performance weren’t enough to help Vegas come away with two points.
Instead, Hintz completed the comeback with the game-winning goal in the shootout. Both he and Robertson scored, while the attempts of Paul Cotter and Eichel were shut down by Oettinger.
Roope Hintz converts in the shootout to secure a BIG second point for the Stars!#TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/I2PP7VJUma
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 26, 2023
The two clubs combined for 86 shots (43 apiece). Vegas outshot Dallas 14-5 in the first period (despite having a four-minute penalty kill), but the Stars outshot the Golden Knights 22-6 in the middle frame; Brossoit stopped 21.
Vegas led 17-10 in high-danger Corsi at 5-on-5, including a 6-1 edge in the first period and a 7-1 advantage in the third (Dallas led 7-4 in the second). But Oettinger, who also finished the game with 41 saves on 43 shots for a .953 save percentage, made two extra stops in the shootout to help his team come away victorious.
That being said, it was a very impressive showing by Brossoit, who has helped the Golden Knights reach overtime in three straight games since taking over for the injured Hill. Vegas is 1-0-2 in that time, with both losses coming in the shootout (the Golden Knights have gone a combined 0-for-5 in those two shootouts).
But this game was nothing like the 3-2 shootout loss to Chicago earlier this week.
It more closely resembled Vegas’ 4-3 overtime win against the Flames, as it was another playoff-style game in which Vegas was competitive until the end. The Golden Knights only gave up one goal on 30 shots at 5-on-5 and went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, including a stellar effort for four minutes in the opening frame.
Eichel has been a different player since returning from the All-Star break, and tonight was no exception. His go-ahead goal late in the third was the kind of clutch and skillful play the Golden Knights need from him. He now has goals in three straight games and nine points in his last seven contests.
Vegas remains the top team in the Western Conference with 76 points but now leads Los Angeles by just two points in the Pacific Division (though Vegas has a game in hand).
The Golden Knights will regroup when they take on the Avalanche Monday night in Colorado.