Golden Knights Makeshift Third Line Leads Them To Victory

In their first game back from break, the Vegas Golden Knights (30-18-4, 64 points) snapped a four-game losing streak and beat the Nashville Predators (24-19-6, 54 points) 5-1. A strong performance from the third line of Chandler Stephenson, Will Carrier, and Phil Kessel paved the way for the team's victory. All three members of the line scored goals.

In terms of lineup changes, Zach Whitecloud returned from injury after missing 21 games, and Adin Hill got the start. With Daniil Miromanov not projected to crack the lineup when he returns from injury and Mark Stone out for the foreseeable future, the Golden Knights took on the Predators with a roster that is essentially set before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.

FIRST PERIOD

• Adin Hill took care of the first Predators chance of the game, coming from star defenseman Roman Josi.
• Michael Amadio centered a puck toward Reilly Smith's vicinity, and Juuse Saros made a big stop.
• 1-0 NSH GOAL- The Predators made some slick passing plays entering the zone. Roman Josi joined in and found Matt Duchene for a goal.
• Jack Eichel nearly tied the game as a deflection went off his skate and through the goal crease.
• 1-1 VGK GOAL- With a strong forecheck, the Golden Knight's second line of Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, and Michael Amadio tied the game.

• 2-1 VGK GOAL- Not long after, Will Carrier forced a turnover at the Golden Knight's blue line, went off on a breakaway, and then scored.

• Will Carrier then created another chance by going off on a break with Phil Kessel, but Carrier ran into the net, which stopped play.
• 3-1 VGK GOAL- Will Carrier continued his strong game with another drive to the net. Phil Kessel jammed in the rebound to score.

• Juuse Saros came up big by shutting down a 2-on-1 with William Karlsson and Reilly Smith.
• NSH PP- Brayden McNabb was called for tripping, and the Predators went to their first powerplay of the game.
• The Golden Knights finished the first period allowing only four shots on goal, and scored three goals themselves.

SECOND PERIOD

• 4-1 VGK GOAL- Once again, the Golden Knight's third line of Chandler Stephenson, Will Carrier, and Phil Kessel made an impact. Carrier crashed the net, and Stephenson scored his first goal in ten games.

• The Predators took off on a 2-on-1 with Yakov Trenin and Tanner Jeannot. Adin Hill just got a piece of the shot.
• VGK PP- Jeremy Lauzon tied up Reilly Smith, and was called for interference.
• Jack Eichel rang a shot off the post on the powerplay.
• NSH PP- Cody Glass was called for holding Zach Whitecloud.
• The Golden Knights continued to limit the Predators from shooting on Adin Hill, with Nashville having just six shots through two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

• The Golden Knights came out in the third period and appropriately killed clock while continuing to limit the Predators to scoring chances.
• 4 on 4- Nino Niederreiter and Alec Martinez tussled after they ran into each other, and Martinez lost a helmet.
• Jack Eichel split the D and got a break 4 on 4 but missed the net in his shot attempt.
• Fans at Bridgestone Arena started to Bronx cheer the Predators after they landed their seventh shot of the game.
• NSH PP- Will Carrier was called for a cross-check with 3:04 left in the game. The Predators then pulled Juuse Saros to make it 6 on 4.
• Adin Hill, who was barely tested all night, came up big late in the game, and the Golden Knights were able to close things out.
• 5-1 VGK GOAL- Alex Pietrangelo sealed things with an empty-net goal. Adin Hill got an assist on the goal.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES

• The Golden Knight's third line of Chandler Stephenson, Will Carrier, and Phil Kessel has seemingly found some great chemistry. All three players finished the game with a goal and an assist.
• Will Carrier had a monster game with a goal, and assist, and was a +4. He now has three goals and four assists last eight games and is riding a five-game point streak.
• With Zach Whitecloud back in the lineup, the Golden Knight's defense was fully healthy and made an impact, limiting the Predators to just six shots on goal through two periods and 17 in the entire game.
• The Golden Knights allowed the first goal of the game, but still managed to score three goals in the first period, which is more first-period goals than they have scored in their last seven games combined.
• The Golden Knights are now 6-0-1 during dad's trips.
• Overall, this was an excellent performance by the Golden Knights as they got on the right footing for the second half of the season. But if we are being picky, neither Jack Eichel nor the Golden Knight's powerplay was able to score.

YT

VHN's Player of the Game: Will Carrier

The motor of the new third line, which has looked excellent these last two games.

Up Next: The Golden Knights will finish their dad's trip Thursday against the Minnesota Wild at 5:00 p.m.