William Karlsson found the back of the net early in the third period to break the deadlock, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Karlsson capitalized with his sixth goal of the season by expertly maneuvering along the goal line. He cleverly banked a shot off Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen’s stick blade, then pounced on the rebound in the crease before firing it into the opposite side of the goal.
Adding to the Golden Knights’ tally, Alex Pietrangelo netted his third goal of the season, while Brett Howden sealed the deal with his 12th goal into an empty net with just 51 seconds remaining. Adin Hill showcased his prowess by making 19 saves, enhancing his record to an impressive 14-5-2 this season.
On the Canucks’ side, Teddy Blueger managed to get one past the opposition, with Lankinen making 19 saves in an effort to keep his team in the game.
The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights have been in formidable form, winning six of their last seven games, showcasing their dominance in the league.
In terms of play dynamics, the Canucks arrived in Vegas boasting the fifth-best road power play, with a solid conversion rate of 27.9% from 12 of 43 chances. However, their performance on Thursday night was lackluster as they failed to convert on both of their man advantage opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights’ defensive prowess was on display during the intense matchup, particularly in the second period. Vegas’s stringent play limited Vancouver’s chances, as the Knights outshot the Canucks 9-2 during the frame, maintaining a tight grip on the game until Pietrangelo’s crucial goal leveled the playing field.
A pivotal moment in the game came shortly after Karlsson’s goal gave Vegas the lead, with Pavel Dorofeyev being penalized for high sticking in the offensive zone. The Golden Knights successfully thwarted Vancouver’s power play attempt, preserving their narrow 2-1 lead and ultimately securing the win.
A standout statistic for the Golden Knights this season has been their dominance in the final period. They have outscored their opponents 44-23 in the third period, boasting a league-leading plus-21 goal margin in the closing stages of games, a testament to their resilience and ability to finish strong.
Looking ahead, the Canucks are set to host the Senators on Saturday, while the Golden Knights will continue their three-game homestand as they face off against Seattle on the same night.
