Golden Game Gist: Knights Escape With Marchessault OT Winner

It wasn't pretty, but the Vegas Golden Knights (20-8-1, 41 points) escaped with an overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers (9-13-6, 24 points) Friday night. It was an overall unenthused performance from the group, who played a tight-knit game with the Flyers all night. 

Jonathan Marchessault scored the overtime game-winning goal, and Jack Eichel returned to the lineup after missing two games with an injury.

The Golden Knight's home record improves to 8-6-0 and the VGK have won in their reverse retro jerseys for the first time this season.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS LINEUP

Jack Eichel made his return to the lineup. This took Jonas Rondbjerg out of the lineup and moved Paul Cotter to the third line. Rondbjerg was assigned to the Henderson Silver Knights. The dominant fourth line of Nicolas Roy, Will Carrier, and Keegan Kolesar reunited. Lines were shuffled in the game.

Chandler Stephenson- Jack Eichel- Mark Stone (c)

Reilly Smith- William Karlsson- Jonathan Marchessault

Paul Cotter- Jake Leschyshyn- Phil Kessel

Will Carrier- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Alec Martinez- Zach Whitecloud

Brayden McNabb- Shea Theodore

Nicolas Hague- Daniil Miromanov

Adin Hill/Logan Thompson

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

FIRST PERIOD

• Reunited, head coach Bruce Cassidy sent out the fourth line of Nicolas Roy, Keegan Kolesar, and Will Carrier to start the game.
• It was a slow start to the first period, with just three shots in total from both teams ten minutes in. Both teams were working hard to try and establish their forecheck.
• Nicolas Hague tried to hit Nicolas Deslauriers but was reverse-hit and knocked to the ice.
• 1-0 VGK GOAL- Will Carrier chipped home his career-high-tying ninth goal of the season on a rebound. Carter Hart stopped Shea Theodore's point shot, but it bounced off his chest, going right to Carrier.

• James van Riemsdyk almost had the assist of the season as he gloved down a puck and put it in between his legs to pass to Morgan Frost. Frost was stopped in front of the net by Adin Hill.
• The Flyers and Golden Knights got in their first scrum after an Adin Hill puck freeze.
• William Karlsson took advantage of a Flyers turnover and got a shot off, which hit the post.
• The pace picked up in the second half of the first period. Shots were 9-8 Flyers at the end of the frame.

SECOND PERIOD

• 1-1 PHI GOAL- Adin Hill came out to play the puck behind his net. Scott Laughton then intercepted and scored by banking in the puck off Hill.
• Bruce Cassidy shuffled up his lines, essentially rotating everyone but the Misfits.
• Adin Hill was run into by Zack MacEwen. Kevin Hayes had an open net with Hill out of position, but he shot it into the goaltender.
• Now on the first line, Paul Cotter had a grade-A chance right in the slot but was stopped by Carter Hart.
• An onslaught of shots came for the Golden Knights about halfway through the second. Nicolas Hague and Daniil Miromanov had solid point shots.
• VGK PP- Scott Laughton was called for tripping, giving the Golden Knights their first powerplay of the game.
• Travis Sanheim made a drive to the Golden Knight's net, and a scrum ensued around Adin Hill. The VGK were able to clear.

THIRD PERIOD

• The Flyers played a simple road game of hockey, and the Golden Knights continued to look uninspired.
• Joel Farabee was sprung on a breakaway but missed the net after making a move on Adin Hill.
• Jack Eichel found Brayden McNabb for a prime shot opportunity, but he missed the net.
• Time continued to tick away in a tie game with not much happening offensively for either side
• The VGK made a push late in the period. The makeshift line of Jake Leschyshyh, Chandler Stephenson, and Phil Kessel had some chances.
• On the very next shift, Will Carrier was robbed by Carter Hart with a paddle save.
• VGK PP- The Golden Knights were awarded a powerplay with 2:56 left in the third as Noah Cates was called for tripping. They did not score.

OVERTIME

• Travis Sanheim ran into Shea Theodore. Theodore had trouble getting off the ice and appeared to have a leg injury. Head coach Bruce Cassidy stated in overtime that Theodore was "doing better than it looked." We'll have to wait for more updates tomorrow on the status of Theodore.
• The Flyers controlled all of the play in overtime, but it only took one chance for the VGK to get the win.
• 2-1 VGK OTW GOAL- Jonathan Marchessault scored on a drive to the net for the game-winner.

VHN's Player of the Game: Jonathan Marchessault, the OT hero.

Up Next: The Golden Knights will finish their current three-game homestand against the Boston Bruins on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. After that, they will be on the road for two games and then are back home not long after with a four-game homestand.