7 Observations: Golden Knights Solve Predators; Win Division

The Vegas Golden Knights (49-22-9) played their last home game of the regular season. It was Fan Appreciation Night, and they certainly gave the fans a show. Noah Hanifin gave the Golden Knights a late lead, and they clinched the Pacific Division after a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators (29-43-8).

It was all Golden Knights in the first period. They dictated play, outshooting the Predators 15-5 and controlling 89.14% of the expected goalshare. In fact, the Golden Knights didn’t even allow the Predators a shot on goal until over eight minutes into the first period. 

That was all the Predators needed. 

At 8:11 in the first period, the Predators broke the ice. Michael Bunting entered the zone and backhanded a pass to Luke Evangelista. Evangelista passed to Jordan Oesterle, who one-timed a rocket past Adin Hill. 

After falling behind, the Golden Knights pressed with renewed vigor but couldn’t solve Justus Annunen.

And then, the second period.

​​The Golden Knights pulled even just over four minutes into the second period. Tanner Pearson drove deep into the offensive zone, pulled up, and threaded a pass to Brayden McNabb. McNabb passed to Brett Howden, who stepped into it and wristed a shot that beat Justus Annunen far side. 

At 5:36 in the second period, the Golden Knights took the lead. Shea Theodore worked the puck in deep for Nic Roy, who passed to Keegan Kolesar. Kolesar held the puck, waiting until Roy cut around Zachary L’Heureux to pass back. Roy went skate-to-stick and beat Annunen over the glove.  

At 11:09, the Golden Knights struck again, this time on the power play. Reilly Smith threaded a backhand pass to William Karlsson. Karlsson one-touched a cross-ice pass, and Alexander Holtz finished off the tic-tac-toe play. 

The Golden Knights suffered a minor collapse in the third period, allowing two goals in less than three minutes. 

Jonathan Marchessault entered the zone and sent a cross-ice pass to Zachary L’Heureux. L’Heureux settled the puck, spun around Zach Whitecloud, and set Marchessault up for a back door tap-in.

The Predators tied the game on one of the strangest bounces I’ve seen in a long time. Andreas Englund wristed a shot wide, and it redirected off of Marc Del Gaizo’s head past Adin Hill.

The Golden Knights had their fair share of chances and finally broke through again with less than two minutes remaining in the third period. Reilly Smith chipped the puck to Zach Whitecloud, who set Noah Hanifin up for a one-timer. Hanifin’s clapper from the blue line beat Justus Annunen glove side.

The Predators pulled Annunen for the extra attacker, but the Golden Knights held strong. Ivan Barbashev took off like a bat out of hell to beat Jonathan Marchessault and deposited the puck into the empty net. 

Three stars of the game: Noah Hanifin, Nic Roy, Brett Howden

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. With an assist on Nic Roy’s goal, Shea Theodore set the franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a single season with 55. The record was previously held by Alex Pietrangelo, who had 54 points in 2022-23.

2. Saturday was Jonathan Marchessault’s first return to the Fortress as a visitor. The crowd, of course, gave him lots of love with a standing ovation and a “Marchy!” chant. Marchessault skated to center ice and saluted the crowd.

3. ​​Justus Annunen made two incredible saves, first on Pavel Dorofeyev, and then denied Brandon Saad on the rebound. Immediately following those saves, the Predators took it down the other way and scored on their first shot of the game. Had the Golden Knights not broken through in the second period, this would have likely been the story of the game. 

4. On Saturday, Brett Howden scored his 23rd goal of the season. He won the Seventh Player Award, given annually to the player who most exceeds expectations on the ice. It was a career year for Howden. Going into the playoffs, a guy like Howden playing with that kind of confidence is a dangerous thing. He’s a real X-factor; he’s chippy, relentless on the forecheck, and clearly capable of scoring.

5. I wonder where Howden will slot in come playoff time. He can play up and down the lineup; during the 2023 Stanley Cup run, he played primarily with Mark Stone on the second line. Wherever he fits, this is a deep, dangerous team.

6. Noah Hanifin loves scoring big goals. Last month, he scored late in Pittsburgh to send the game to overtime; earlier in the season, he scored twice against Edmonton, including the game-winner with less than a minute remaining in the third period. You can’t teach the clutch gene.

7. With a regulation win, the Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division Title, their fourth in eight seasons. It’s head coach Bruce Cassidy’s second division title in three seasons. Not too shabby.