The Vegas Golden Knights (33-19-7) seem to have found their stride. Following a close 4-3 shootout loss to Ottawa, they bounced back with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs (33-17-8) at Rogers Centre.
This win held significance as it was a chance for the Golden Knights to redeem themselves after a humiliating 7-3 defeat at T-Mobile Arena by the Maple Leafs just days prior. It also marked a positive turn for the Golden Knights, who had previously struggled with five losses in their last six games.
Initially, the game was quiet with both teams failing to score in the first period. However, Ivan Barbashev broke the deadlock with a breakaway goal in the second period. Mason Morelli extended the lead with a deflection off Shea Theodore’s shot, who continued his impressive performance with three assists, totaling eight points in the last four games.
Although Tyler Bertuzzi briefly put Toronto on the scoreboard, the Golden Knights responded swiftly, with William Karlsson netting his 20th goal of the season.
The third period saw the Golden Knights dominate further, with Jonathan Marchessault scoring twice, including a career-high 32nd goal, and Nic Roy adding another goal to seal the victory.
The game was fraught with emotion for the Maple Leafs, evident in their four penalties and coach Sheldon Keefe being ejected in the third period. This loss ended Toronto’s seven-game winning streak.
The two points earned by the Golden Knights were crucial in maintaining their position ahead of the third-place Edmonton Oilers. They also outshot Toronto 32-30, a reversal from their previous encounter.
Adin Hill’s stellar goaltending, bouncing back from a subpar performance, and the team’s improved overall play were instrumental in this victory. Their relentless forecheck limited the impact of Toronto’s star player Auston Matthews, who was notably quiet throughout the game.
Additionally, there was positive news for the Golden Knights as Jack Eichel participated in team practice for the first time, hinting at his potential return.