Published Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 | 1 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 | 10:33 p.m.
End of game: Early scoring burst propels Golden Knights to win over Kraken
The Golden Knights’ 6-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken Saturday at T-Mobile Arena will go down as their 12th come-from-behind win of the season.
However, they only trailed for about 10 minutes early before scoring three unanswered goals to close the first period.
After a scoreless second period, the Golden Knights finished strong with three goals in the final period.
William Karlsson scored at the 8:09 mark on an assist from Keegan Kolesar, Noah Hanifin found the back of the net three minutes later, and Mark Stone tallied an empty-goal to close the scoring.
Stone recorded a goal and two assists for his first multi-point game since Oct. 26.
Jack Eichel had two assists to give him 35 assists on the season — second best in the NHL.
Kolesar scored his eighth goal to tie a career-high for goals in a season, and Ilya Samsonov picked up his eighth win by making 21 saves on 23 Kraken shots.
The Golden Knights penalty kill struggled by allowing Seattle to score twice on four opportunities.
Vegas improves to 22-8-3 on the year and is tied with New Jersey for the second-best record in the league. The Golden Knights will host the Anaheim Ducks 7 p.m. Monday.
End of second period: Golden Knights holding onto 2 goal lead over Kraken
The Golden Knights matched their shot total from the first period, putting 10 pucks on net, but didn’t score as they still hold a 3-1 lead over the Kraken.
It was a lot of stop-and-go hockey, as there were 20 stoppages in play from officials. The average per-period is 10-15 stoppages. Seattle did have a power play as Alex Pietrangelo went to the box for interference. Nothing came out of the opportunity.
Tomas Hertl had the best scoring chance of the frame, breaking the puck out to Keegan Kolesar, who gave it back to Hertl via an in-between-the-leg pass. Hertl got the puck to the net and William Karlsson got a tip shot on Philipp Grubauer.
Vegas has a 20-14 shot advantage. Ilya Samsonov has made 13 saves on 14 Kraken shots.
End of first period: Golden Knights score 3 unanswered goals for commanding lead over Kraken
It’s hard to believe that the Vegas Golden Knights were losing at one point in tonight’s game against the Seattle Kraken. However, after going down 1-0, Vegas responded with three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period.
Keegan Kolesar got the offense going. Victor Olofsson hit him with a pass as he came off the bench allowing him to skate in all alone on a breakaway. He beat Philipp Grubauer’s glove side to get the Golden Knights on the board.
A little over a minute later, Jack Eichel got the puck back after losing the face-off, went behind the net and found Brett Howden in front to make it 2-1.
In the final minutes of the period, a Mark Stone wrap-around attempt squeaked its way out to the point and found Nicholas Hague’s stick. He’d fire it from there and score, extending the lead to 3-1. Both Stone and Eichel have two points on the night, bumping Eichel’s season total up to 44 and is now tied for seventh in the league.
Vince Dunn scored the Kraken’s lone goal. After 20 minutes of play, the Golden Knights had a 10-8 shot advantage. Former Golden Knight Chandler Stephenson had an assist on the Seattle goal.
Pregame: Chandler Stephenson returns to Vegas as Golden Knights host Kraken
Chandler Stephenson, a member of the Golden Knights’ championship team two seasons ago, will return to T-Mobile Arena tonight with the Seattle Kraken. A video tribute — tradition for former players in their initial return trip to Vegas — will surely be part of the festivities.
Puck drops at 7 p.m.
Stephenson was one of several Knights who left the team via free agency in July, signing a seven-year, $43.75 million contract with the Kraken. The new contract — paying $6.25 million annually — is a $3.5 million bump from his previous contract with Vegas.
He played five seasons with the Golden Knights after being traded by the Washington Capitals in the middle of the 2019-20 season.
Stephenson played 327 games in Vegas, recording 75 goals, 162 assists, and 237 points. He participated in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game and won the Stanley Cup that same year.
While Seattle has struggled to get going this season — sitting in sixth place in the Pacific Division — Stephenson has jumped out as one of the Kraken’s top contributors, recording 21 points in 33 games.
On the other hand, the Golden Knights continue to create space atop the Pacific Division and are pushing for the No. 1 spot in the league, only two points behind Winnipeg. Thursday’s 3-1 win over Vancouver was Vegas’ sixth win in its last seven games.
The Golden Knights are expected to be short-handed without Ivan Barbashev, Nicolas Roy and Ben Hutton. Hutton, who has been out since mid-November, could make his return to the lineup soon, as the defenseman was back in full team practices this week.
Players to watch
Golden Knights: Jack Eichel (center) 32 games played, 9 goals, 33 assists, 42 points; Shea Theodore (defense) 31 games played, 4 goals, 23 assists, 27 points; William Karlsson (center) 23 games played, 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points.
Seattle: Jared McCann (forward) 34 games played, 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points; Oliver Bjorkstrand (forward) 33 games played, 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points; Chandler Stephenson (center) 33 games played, 3 goals, 18 assists, 21 points.
Non-active players
Golden Knights: Ivan Barbashev (upper body), Nicolas Roy (upper body), Ben Hutton (upper body)
Seattle: Jordan Eberle (pelvis)
How to watch
TV: Scripps Sports (Cox Communications, channel 38), KnightTime+ (streaming)
Betting line
Golden Knights -192 Seattle +160. Over/under: 6 (-110/-110)
Who is goal?
Golden Knights: Ilya Samsonov – 11 games played, 7-3-1 record, 3.36 goals against average, .897 save percentage.
Seattle: Philipp Grubauer – 12 games played, 3-9-0 record, 3.50 goals against average, .879 save percentage.
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