Published Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 | 12:39 p.m.
Updated Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 | 8:37 p.m.
End of game: Golden Knights douse Flames for 6th straight win
The Vegas Golden Knights’ December to remember continued on Sunday as they picked up a 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames.
Brett Howden’s tipped goal off an Alex Pietrangelo shot in the second period proved to be enough. Victor Olofsson added some insurance in the third period on the power play. Jack Eichel recorded his 38th assist of the season on the conversion. Tanner Pearson added an empty net goal with six seconds left.
It’s the second time the Golden Knights have shut out the Flames this season, outscoring them 8-0 over two games. Ilya Samsonov picked up his first shutout of the season and, as a Golden Knight, made 31 saves on 31 shots. Vegas outshot Calgary, 37-31.
Both teams found success on the penalty kill, but both power plays struggled. The Flames went 0-for-4, while the Golden Knights went 1-for-4.
The Golden Knights improved to 25-8-3 on the year and are tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the best record in the NHL. They are also 10-1-0 over December. Vegas has one more game left in 2024, hosting the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at noon.
End of second period: Howden breaks ice for Golden Knights lead over Flames
It took 35 minutes, but Brett Howden scored his 15th goal of the season to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 1-0 lead over the Calgary Flames.
The play started with a strong breakout: Howden made a cross-ice pass to Tanner Pearson entering the Flames zone. Calgary’s players committed low, opening up space at the top of the circles. Pearson found Alex Pietrangelo wide-open and his shot was tipped in by Howden.
Both teams are still struggling to play cleanly as there were two more penalties in the period. Rasmus Andersson was called for hooking on Jack Eichel and Brayden McNabb went to the box for delay of game. Calgary is now 0-for-4 on the power play and Vegas is 0-for-2.
The Golden Knights outshot the Flames 11-9 in the second period and have a 26-21 edge in the game. Ilya Samsonov is looking for his first shutout of the season and as a Golden Knight. His last shutout was a 3-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres while he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 30, 2024.
End of first period: Golden Knights, Flames scoreless after 20 minutes
Despite multiple penalties on both teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames are tied, 0-0, at the end of the first period.
The Flames will start the second period on the power play for 50 seconds. Tanner Laczynski was originally called for tripping, and nearly a minute later, Brett Howden was assessed a four-minute, double-minor for high-sticking against Jonathan Huberdeau. The Golden Knights killed off the Laczynski penalty and have 50 seconds left on the Howden penalty.
They did have their chances to convert as the Golden Knights went on the power play after Brayden Pachal slashed Noah Hanifin. Vegas put six shots on goal but could not find the back of the net. It is outshooting Calgary, 15-13.
Pregame: Game day: Golden Knights hosting Flames looking for 6th straight win
The Vegas Golden Knights host the Calgary Flames at 5 p.m. today looking to extend their longest winning streak of the season to six games.
The Golden Knights, thanks to posting a 9-1-0 record in December, hold a six-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division. They are two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot in the NHL.
Individually, Jack Eichel and Brayden McNabb are tied for second in the league in plus/minus at 21. Eichel is also tied for second in the league for assists with 37. In net, Adin Hill is tied for third in wins with 13.
Vegas has accomplished all of this without first-line winger Ivan Barbashev, who has missed the last four games with an upper body injury and is still day-to-day.
The Flames have won their last two games — wins over San Jose and Chicago — and are fighting for a wild card playoff position.
Backup Ilya Samsonov will start in goal for the Golden Knights looking for his ninth win of the season.
Players to watch
Golden Knights
Jack Eichel (center) 35 games played, 10 goals, 37 assists, 47 points; Mark Stone (forward) 21 games played, 8 goals, 22 assists, 30 points; Shea Theodore (defense) 34 games played, 4 goals, 24 assists, 28 points.
Calgary
Jonathan Huberdeau (center) 35 games played, 15 goals, 12 assists, 27 points; Nazem Kadri (center) 35 games played, 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points; Connor Zary (center) 35 games played, 8 goals, 12 assists, 20 points.
Non-active players
Golden Knights: Ivan Barbashev (upper body), Nicolas Roy (upper body).
Calgary: Anthony Mantha (knee), Justin Kirkland (knee).
How to watch
TV: Scripps Sports (Cox Communications, channel 38), KnightTime+ (streaming)
Betting line
Golden Knights -225 Calgary +185. Over/under: 6.5 (-108/-112).
Who is in goal?
Golden Knights
Ilya Samsonov: 12 games played, 8-3-1 record, 3.24 goals against average, .898 save percentage.
Calgary
Dan Vladar: 17 games played, 6-6-5 record, 3.26 goals against average, .886 save percentage, 2 shutouts.