Golden Knights Appropriately Put Up Touchdown Against Ducks

In their first game back at T-Mobile Arena in 21 days, the Vegas Golden Knights (32-18-4, 68 points) decimated the Anaheim Ducks (17-31-6, 40 points) thanks, in part, to a five-goal third period to finish the game with a 7-2 win.

With Logan Thompson now injured with a lower-body injury, Adin Hill got the start for the VGK and Laurent Brossoit backed him up. No other lineup changes were made. John Klingberg did not play for the Ducks. This concluded the season series between these two teams with the VGK taking the series 2-0-1.

FIRST PERIOD

• The Golden Knight's first chance of the game came off a rush chance with the third line of Will Carrier, Chandler Stephenson, and Phil Kessel.
• 1-0 VGK GOAL- Jack Eichel forced the Ducks to turnover the puck in their own zone, which then led to Paul Cotter scoring just two minutes in.

• VGK PP- Will Carrier was hauled down to the ice by Trevor Zegras and he was called for tripping.
• The powerplay had some good looks, with Phil Kessel making a nice cross-ice pass to William Karlsson for a shot. But they did not score.
• Phil Kessel had another great pass, this time to Chandler Stephenson after he won a footrace to a loose puck.
• Zach Whitecloud almost scored a beauty goal as he sliced through two Ducks defenders and landed a shot on John Gibson.
• The Golden Knights continue to control the majority of the first period, but John Gibson stood tall, per usual.
• In the chances there were able to manage, the Ducks frequently missed the net wide or shot it right into the pads of Adin Hill.
• Off the rush, the Golden Knights got another chance with Alex Pietrangelo one-timing a shot off a Chandler Stephenson pass.

SECOND PERIOD

• The fourth line for the Golden Knights started the second period off with about a minute of sustained zone pressure.
• Several minutes passed with the same cycle of VGK chances, John Gibson saves, and the Ducks clearing repeating.
• 2-0 VGK GOAL- The fourth line went to work again and Keegan Kolesar found Brett Howden in the slot for his first goal back.

• ANA PP- Chandler Stephenson's stick got in between the legs of Trevor Zegras and the Ducks got on the powerplay.
• Keegan Kolesar almost scored on a stuff attempt to the right side of John Gibson. The bottom six continued their chemistry.
• 2-1 ANA GOAL- Isac Lundestrom danced all the way to the Golden Knight's net and Frank Vatrano followed it up with a rebound goal.

THIRD PERIOD

• Ryan Strome was sprung on a breakaway, but Adin Hill managed to come up big with the save.
• On the doorstep, Will Carrier was denied twice by the left pad of John Gibson.
• 3-1 VGK GOAL- John Gibson continued to make big saves, but couldn't stop Shea Theodore's slapshot in the third.

• 4-1 VGK GOAL- Shea Theodore then shot one off John Gibson that gave Phil Kessel a grade-A rebound and he scored.

• ANA PP- Nicolas Roy went off for hooking.
• 4 on 4- Trevor Zegras went to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct and 43 seconds of 4 on 4 was played.
• 5-1 VGK GOAL- Jack Eichel found just enough room and went upstairs on John Gibson to make it a four-goal game.

• 5-2 ANA GOAL- Trevor Zegras came out of the box, got a pass, and then fed Isac Lundestrom who went in and scored.
• 6-2 VGK GOAL- Michael Amadio patiently waited out John Gibson and tucked in a goal.

• 7-2 VGK GOAL- The Golden Knights scored yet again with Chandler Stephenson passing to an open Will Carrier for the goal.
• ANA PP- with 30.6 seconds left, Nicolas Hague took a hooking penalty.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES

• The Golden Knights scored five goals in the third period and seven in the game, which is tied for the most they have scored all season.
• For the first two periods, it was your typical Anaheim Ducks game. The Golden Knights controlled most of the game and John Gibson stood tall.
• With Paul Cotter scoring, the Golden Knights now have ten players with ten or more goals. They are tied with the Seattle Kraken for the league lead in that department and now are ahead of the Boston Bruins, who have nine.
• The new third line of Will Carrier, Chandler Stephenson, and Phil Kessel continued to impress.
• Brett Howden scored his second goal of the season, his first coming five months ago against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 18th. 
• The Edmonton Oilers lost today but the Seattle Kraken won. At Super Bowl Sunday, the Golden Knights still lead the division.

VHN's Player of the Game: Shea Theodore

Shea Theodore's play in the third period resulted in two Golden Knights goals, which put the game away.

Up Next: The Golden Knights will play the San Jose Sharks at home on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.