On Wednesday, the Vegas Golden Knights (22-11-12) played the first half of a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-11). Despite a rocky start, they pulled ahead twice; twice, the Kings responded. Finally, the Golden Knights came out on the right side of a game that went past regulation and broke through for a 3-2 win in overtime.
The Kings were all over the Golden Knights in the first period. Shots were 9-5 in favor of LA, and they controlled 81.09% of the expected goal share. The Kings generated six high-danger scoring chances while holding Vegas to zero.
In other words, the Golden Knights played with fire for 20 minutes. Their only saving grace was Akira Schmid— and also the Kings’ general inability to score.
The Golden Knights tripled their shot total in the second period, and outshot the Kings 15-8. Despite allowing four high-danger scoring chances, they generated six and eventually capitalized on one.
The Golden Knights broke the ice at 3:56 in the second period. After the Kings failed to clear the zone, Brian Dumoulin batted down a Shea Theodore shot from the point. Jack Eichel found Braeden Bowman all alone atop the crease, and Bowman snapped an 18-game goalless drought.
After Bowman’s goal, the Golden Knights continued to pressure. After a successful penalty kill, they headed to a power play of their own. They allowed a shorthanded opportunity and didn’t score, but also forced Darcy Kuemper to make a few ten-bell saves.
The Kings came in waves to start the third. They recorded the first five shots of the period and quickly broke through.
The Kings found the equalizer at 6:24 in the third period. Akira Schmid made two saves on Alex Turcotte and Kevin Fiala, but the third attempt got through. Turcotte’s shot went wide, and Fiala slammed it into the empty net.
Fiala’s goal gave the Kings life, but the Golden Knights responded well. They fended off Los Angeles’ push, and Shea Theodore drew a penalty at 11:23 in the third.
The Golden Knights pulled ahead again 44 seconds later on the ensuing power play. Mark Stone made a great play to find Mitch Marner at the point, and Marner walked right down Hollywood Boulevard and beat Darcy Kuemper far-side.
Marner’s go-ahead goal hardened the Golden Knights’ resolve, and they buckled down. They blocked shots, got their sticks in passing lanes, and kept the Kings out of the middle of the ice.
However, the Kings pulled Darcy Kuemper for the extra attacker with 1:40 remaining in regulation, and it quickly paid off. Jack Eichel lost his stick, and Adrian Kempe rolled away and found Brandt Clarke back-door for the equalizer.
For the second time this season, the Golden Knights went to overtime against the Kings. However, this time, they didn’t require a shootout. In fact, it didn’t take long at all.
The Golden Knights struck just 25 seconds into overtime. Mark Stone made a great defensive play to nullify Kevin Fiala’s rush through the middle, then took off up ice with Jack Eichel in a 2-on-1. Fiala forced Eichel to the outside, and couldn’t get the shot off. Eichel circled the wagon and flung a centering pass on the wraparound. Stone deposited it into the empty net to give his team the 3-2 victory.
The Golden Knights and the Kings both played their 18th overtime game of the season. Neither team has fared well beyond regulation— the Golden Knights have 12 overtime losses this season, and the Kings now have 11.
