Golden Knights Survive To Shootout, Defeat Devils 4-3

Just hours after the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline came and went, the Vegas Golden Knights (37-19-6, 80 points) survived a hectic game against the New Jersey Devils (40-15-5, 85 points), winning in the shootout 4-3.

All of the pickups that the VGK made in Ivan Barbashev, Teddy Blueger, and Jonathan Quick suited up for this game, however, in goal Adin Hill got the start. With Blueger's arrival, Paul Cotter joined Ben Hutton as a healthy scratch.

It was a tight game between two teams bound for the playoffs. The Golden Knights survived a myriad of Devils' offensive chances and had luck on their side in their victory. Shots were 48-28 Devils after three periods and overtime.

Also of note, in the second period, Will Carrier left the game and did not return. 

FIRST PERIOD

• Shea Theodore lost the puck to Nico Hischer, who went off on a breakaway but Adin Hill bailed out his defense with a save.
• Jack Hughes joined the Devils' rush late on the play, found a puck, and got a shot off in the slot that was stopped.
• The Devils continued their offensive pressure as Nico Hischier split the D and got a low shot on Adin Hill.
• With Adin Hill scrambling, Brayden McNabb provided a critical shot block to keep the Devils off the board.
• 1-0 VGK GOAL- Jonathan Marchessault swatted in a puck after it bounced off the boards from a Brayden McNabb shot/pass.

• Adin Hill came up with yet another save on Jack Hughes as the Devils continued to pressure.
• Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault went off on a 2-on-1. Marchessault took the shot and Barbashev was unable to find the rebound.
• NJD PP- Brett Howden was called for interference and the Devils took their powerplay to the ice.
• 1-1 NJD GOAL- On the powerplay, Jesper Bratt scored quickly to even the game.
• The Devils controlled almost all of the first period and the VGK lucked out on their goal. They almost got to the first intermission tied.
• 2-1 NJD GOAL- With just 26 seconds left in the first period, Dawson Mercer ripped one upstairs on Adin Hill.

SECOND PERIOD

• The Devils once again controlled the bulk of the period with plenty of offensive chances.
• Shea Theodore fired a one-timer that William Karlsson was unable to clean up in front of Arika Schmid.
• Chandler Stephenson got around a defender but wasn't able to get a good shot off on Arika Schmid.
• Ondrej Palat turned the puck over right to Jonathan Marchessault in front of the goal but his shot was stopped.
• Jack Eichel rushed to the net and centered a pass that was intended for Ivan Barbashev. He was unable to handle it.
• 2-2 VGK GOAL- Jonathan Marchessault found a loose puck in the slot and shot it past Arikas Schmid for his second of the night.

• Dawson Mercer then went off on a burst of speed, but Adin Hill came up big with a poke check save.
• VGK PP- Dougie Hamilton's slash put the Golden Knights on a late-period powerplay.
• The Golden Knights did everything but score on the powerplay, simply put.
• To finish out the period, Adin Hill robbed Jesper Bratt with a glove save.

THIRD PERIOD

• Shea Theodore's pass just missed the stick of William Karlsson, who was driving to the net.
• Brayden McNabb went for the hip check on Nico Hischier and landed it. Some Devils were not happy with the hit.
• 3-2 VGK GOAL- On a 2 on 1 rush, Jonathan Marchessault fed Jack Eichel the puck and he went five-hole or Arika Schmid.

• The Golden Knights did a much better job in the third to limit the Devils' scoring chances, at least compared to the first.
• A net-mouth scrum around Adin Hill and your typical angry hockey player routine ensued. Jonathan Marchessault was front and center.
• NJD PP- Michael Amadio took a high sticking penalty with roughly nine-and-a-half minutes left in the third.
• PENALTY SHOT- Shorthanded, William Karlsson was slashed and got a penalty shot. He failed to score on his attempt.
• 3-3 NJD GOAL- After receiving a pass in front of the net, Miles Wood jammed in a goal to knot the game once more.
• For the fourth in the last six games, the Golden Knights played past regulation.

OVERTIME

• Adin Hill was forced to put on a show in overtime with the Devils' star power and offense. He was remarkable as the Devils had eight shots on goal.

SHOOTOUT

• Tomas Tatar- stopped by Adin Hill.
• Jonathan Marchessault- stopped by Arika Schmid.
• Dougie Hamilton- stopped by Adin Hill.
• Jack Eichel- missed the net.
• Dawson Mercer- stopped by Adin Hill.
• Reilly Smith- missed the net.
• Jesper Bratt- stopped by Adin Hill.
• Shea Theodore- GOAL, backhand.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES

• The Devils are a really good hockey team, plain and simple. They're fast, aggressive, and skilled.
• Both Teddy Blueger and Jonathan Quick made their debuts with the Golden Knights, although Quick did not officially play.
• On the other side of things, both Timo Meier and Curtis Lazar, who the Devils traded for, were not able to play in the game.
• Teddy Blueger's arrival forced head coach Bruce Cassidy to make some tough lineup decisions, as he scratched Paul Cotter.
• Jonathan Marchessault's first-period goal marked his 400th career point in the National Hockey League. 399 have come with Vegas.
• In the second-period head coach Bruce Cassidy adjusted his D-pairs by putting Nicolas Hague back with Alex Pietrangelo.
• With another goal, Jack Eichel now has 13 points in his last ten games. 
• Ivan Barbashev scored two assists and now has three points in three games with his new team.
• Both the Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken won their games elsewhere in the Pacific Division.

VHN's Player of the Game: Jonathan Marchessault

Two goals and an assist in yet another expressive performance from Marchy on home ice. Adin Hill made his case late.

Up Next: The Golden Knights will play the Montreal Canadiens at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at home.