Golden Game Gist: Knights First Team to Beat Boston at Home in Cassidy’s Return

The Vegas Golden Knights (19-7-1, 39 points) became the first team to defeat the Boston Bruins (20-3-1, 41 points) on home ice Monday night with a 4-3 shootout win. The Bruins are now 14-1 at home this season.

The Golden Knights won in Bruce Cassidy's return game without top stars Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo. Reilly Smith scored the game-winning shootout goal in the fifth round.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS LINEUP

Jack Eichel was unable to play Monday night for the Golden Knights with a lower-body injury. As a result, Michael Amadio was inserted into the lineup, Chandler Stephenson was moved over to play center, and Paul Cotter was bumped up to the first line.

With Alex Pietrangelo still out due to personal reasons, Daniil Miromanov remained in.

Paul Cotter- Chandler Stephenson- Mark Stone (c)

Reilly Smith- William Karlsson – Jonathan Marchessault

Michael Amadio- Nicolas Roy – Phil Kessel

Will Carrier – Jake Leschyshyn – Keegan Kolesar

Alec Martinez- Zach Whitecloud

Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore

Nicolas Hague- Daniil Miromanov

Logan Thompson/Adin Hill

Out: Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo/Brett Howden/Ben Hutton, Michael Amadio

FIRST PERIOD

• 1-0 VGK GOAL- In his first shift of the game, Paul Cotter scored. He used his size and speed to gain separation around two Bruins defenders and then get a pass from William Karlsson to score.

• 2-0 VGK GOAL- The Golden Knights continued their strong start with a goal from Jonathan Marchessault. A David Pastrnak breakout pass was read by Marchessault, who walked in and scored off his own rebound.

• In his return to Boston, head coach Bruce Cassidy received a video tribute and a standing ovation from the members at TD Garden.
• VGK PP- Brad Marchand hit Daniil Miromanov behind the Golden Knight's net and went to the box for elbowing,
• Brayden McNabb made a strong defensive play on David Pastrnak to keep the Bruins off the scoresheet.
• The Golden Knights outbattled a tough-to-play-against (especially at home) Bruins team in this first period and left the opening frame up two.

SECOND PERIOD

• 3-0 VGK GOAL- Paul Cotter remained hot just 51 seconds into the second period with another goal for his first multi-goal NHL game.

• With Paul Cotter having such a good game, known agitator Brad Marchand tried to get underneath his skin.
• The Bruins started to push pack, with Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle having big chances, but Logan Thompson shut the door.
• BOS PP- Nicolas Roy took a hooking penalty, but the Golden Knights made the kill.
• 3-1 BOS GOAL- Patrice Bergeron made a backdoor pass to Brad Marchand, who scored to get the Bruins on the board.
• Jonathan Marchessault almost scored on a beautiful tip with an in-between-the-legs deflection off a Reilly Smith shot pass.
• VGK PP- Trent Frederic tripped Mark Stone at center ice.
• After they killed the penalty, the Bruins got a quality shot attempt, with Patrice Bergeron shooting in the slot. Logan Thompson made another big stop.
• 3-2 BOS GOAL- In the dying second of the period, David Pastrnak made a skilled play collecting a puck in the corner. He spun around William Karlsson and shot home a quality wrist shot to make it a one-goal game.

THIRD PERIOD

• The Golden Knights allowed the Bruins to come back into the game by taking two penalties early in the third
• 5 on 3 BOS PP- Keegan Kolesar went off for holding and, not long after, Zach Whitecloud for tripping.
• 3-3 BOS GOAL- Naturally, Taylor Hall scored on the ensuing powerplay to tie the game.
• This goal marked the third time in four games the Golden Knights have blown a multi-goal lead.
• VGK PP- Former Golden Knight Tomas Nosek went off for holding Chandler Stephenson.
• The Misfits tried to get the Golden Knights back in the game, with William Karlsson having some chances.
• The two best teams in the league required overtime, tied at three with 60 minutes in the book.

OVERTIME

• Logan Thompson came up with a huge stop on Charlie McAvoy in the first minute of overtime.
• BOS PP- Nicolas Roy angrily went off after slashing Jake DeBrusk.
• The Golden Knights, led by goaltender Logan Thompson made a huge kill in overtime to get the game to a shootout.

SHOOTOUT LOG

• Logan Thompson v Jeremy Swayman
• Brad Marchand– X
• Nicolas Roy- X
• Jake DeBrusk- X
• Paul Cotter- X
• David Pastrnak- X
• Jonathan Marchessault- X
• Taylor Hall- X
• Shea Theodore- X
• Charlie Coyle- X
• Reilly Smith- GOAL

VHN's Player of the Game: Paul Cotter

He was unable to score in the shootout, but Cotter had two in regulation for the first multi-goal game of his career.

Up Next: The Golden Knights will return home Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. game against the New York Rangers.